3 Winter Holiday Destinations You Didn’t Expect: Mexico, Oslo, and New York
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Winter is a season where most of us either want to lean into the cold and the snow or escape it entirely. It’s the yin and yang of travel. But what if the holidays weren’t just about frost-covered windows or escaping to some far-off beach? What if they were about creating stories—stories that stretch us out of our comfort zones and challenge what we thought we knew about winter?
Today, we’re going to look at three holiday destinations: one to chase the sun, one to embrace the snow, and one that’s a bit of both.
1. Summer in the Middle of Winter: Mexico
Everyone loves a good escape. But not just any escape—a full-on, toes-in-the-sand, sun-soaked rebellion against the calendar. Mexico is a winter holiday wrapped in a contradiction, and that’s precisely why it works. When it’s snowing in the northern hemisphere, Mexico is basking in sunshine. And you? You’re not just running from the cold; you’re stepping into a world where warmth is an attitude, not just a temperature.
Think about Tulum’s beaches. Not just the way the sand feels under your feet, but the energy of it. The Mayan ruins rising up behind you, the way the air seems to dance with history and possibility. Or head to Mexico City, where culture pours out from every street corner. You can taste it in the street food, see it in the murals, and hear it in the mariachi bands that play like they’re trying to woo the world. Mexico during the winter isn’t just a destination; it’s a defiance of the ordinary. The sun never felt more like an act of rebellion.
2. Frozen Magic in Oslo, Norway
On the flip side, there’s something undeniable about leaning into winter. And no place does that with more grace than Oslo, Norway. While Mexico lets you escape the season, Oslo makes you want to embrace it. To not just endure the cold, but to celebrate it.
This is where the magic happens—because winter in Oslo isn’t about shivering; it’s about being alive in a different way. The air is crisp, and the snow blankets everything, transforming the city into a Scandinavian fairytale. You don’t just visit Oslo in the winter; you step into a world that feels timeless.
From the twinkling Christmas markets that feel like they belong in a snow globe to the thrill of cross-country skiing through forests just minutes from the city center, Oslo’s winter is a playground. Then there’s the light—pale and fleeting, a soft glow that makes every moment feel precious. The Northern Lights? That’s not just nature showing off; it’s a reminder that there’s beauty in the darkest nights.
And when you’ve had enough of the cold, you warm up the Norwegian way: inside a cozy café with a cup of hot chocolate or a traditional sauna that’ll make you feel like you’re melting into yourself. Oslo teaches you that winter doesn’t have to be endured; it can be savored.
3. New York: The City of Both Worlds
Finally, New York City. New York is that friend who doesn’t pick sides. It’s a winter wonderland and a bustling metropolis all at once. You don’t come to New York for one thing—you come for everything.
The holiday season in New York is iconic. We’ve all seen the movies, but here’s the thing: the reality? It’s better. Ice skating at Rockefeller Center under that gigantic tree, the streets twinkling with lights, and storefronts that are decorated like they’re competing in some kind of high-stakes art competition—it’s everything you imagine the holidays should be. But then, there’s more.
New York is still New York, after all. You can stroll through Central Park covered in snow in the morning and find yourself at a cutting-edge art exhibit in the afternoon. You’ll see the seasons shift in a single day: frozen outside but full of energy, art, and culture inside. And that’s the thing about New York in the winter—it’s not just about experiencing the cold, but about how the city makes you feel warm from the inside out.
From the bustling holiday markets in Union Square to the comfort of slipping into a tiny jazz bar in the Village, New York gives you the best of both worlds. It’s both a winter dream and a reminder that the city, no matter the season, never sleeps.
So there you have it. Three destinations that don’t just exist on a map—they live in your mind long after you’ve left. Mexico, Oslo, New York. One that lets you chase the sun, one that makes you love the snow, and one that reminds you that winter is what you make of it.
The question isn’t where you should go this winter—it’s who you’ll become once you’re there.