Bucket-list travel doesn’t have to mean bucket-list prices.
Likewise, the winter “off-season” at many destinations can be better than peak season, without the crowds, wait lines, peak pricing and peeved locals.
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Consider the following trips this winter to have a memorable adventure without the nonsense.
Glacier National Park and Kalispell (Montana)
Let’s get this out of the way now: The Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is partially closed in the winter because the mountain passes are snowed out. However, do you know how many fun activities there are in mountainous regions with huge snowfall?
“Kalispell has two ski areas nearby, it’s 30 minutes from Glacier and there are endless affordable winter activities,” boasted Lorraine Clarno, president of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. In fact, she pointed to the promotion on Discover Kalispell for two free lift tickets to Blacktail Mountain when you book two nights at a Kalispell hotel.
Other fun winter activities include dogsledding, snowshoeing, hiking trails to frozen waterfalls, winter kayaking and sledding. After a day out in the powder, come back and enjoy the alpine town’s hospitality, from spas and upscale dining to western saloons and microbreweries.
Kalispell costs an arm and a leg in the summer, but it’s downright affordable in the winter.
Death Valley (California-Nevada) and Arches (Utah) National Parks
People flock to desert national parks like Death Valley and Arches in the summer when temperatures soar into the triple digits. Leave that to the newbies, however, and go in the winter when the weather’s better, the crowds are thinner and the costs are lower.
“Rent an RV and camp near Death Valley to experience bucket-list sights like Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point and Artist’s Palette,” urged Maddi Bourgerie of RVshare. “It’s one of those rare destinations where visiting at the best time of year also means spending less.”
Make a road trip out of it, driving that RV to other national parks in the southwest like Grand Canyon, Zion and Arches. Mick Soleta with the Moab Office of Tourism pointed out just how much there is to do, especially in the pleasant winter months.
“People may come to Moab for Arches National Park, but once they’re here, they realize how much more there is to experience, from Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River to our dark stargazing skies, outdoor adventures and fun downtown,” he said.
Ireland
Make no mistake: Ireland is normally an expensive place to visit. Fortunately, it’s much cheaper in the winter than in the summer.
Charting the average monthly fares to Dublin, Kayak showed flying in February costs roughly half ($524) the average fare in June ($1,029).
“In February, it is a different country, with 65% fewer people making the trip,” noted Diana Greenlee, founder of Tales of Irish Travel. She urged tourists to fly into Dublin because it has more international flights, but then take the train across the border to Northern Ireland.
“Belfast costs around 25% less than Dublin: a pub dinner for two runs about £35 (roughly $47) in Belfast against nearly €60 (roughly $67) in Dublin,” she said.
Once there, check out The Giant’s Causeway, the Dark Hedges, Carrick-a-Rede and Dunluce Castle — all strung along 60 miles of coast road. Just make sure you pack appropriately, because the tradeoff for lower costs and fewer tourists is the winter weather.
Colombia
A stunningly beautiful country with dramatic mountains, teeming rainforests, tropical beaches and rich history, Colombia has it all. And it won’t break the bank, either.
“The weather is warm and dry from December to March, ideal for a full itinerary including Rosario Islands for snorkeling and diving, Cartagena’s historic walled city and rooftop bars, sunset catamarans and beach clubs along the coast, Tayrona National Park with its jungle trails and secluded beaches, and the four-day Lost City trek to a 1,000-year-old Tairona settlement,” explained South American travel planner Joe Bayfield with Shall We Go Home? South America Trip Planning. He said a two-week trip typically costs around $1,230 on the ground per person.
You don’t need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on a bucket-list vacation, but you do need to plan it strategically. Find hidden gems that offer just as much in winter without the crowds, and you can do twice the travel at half the cost.
This article was provided byMoneyLion.comfor informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
