Travel in January

New year means new experiences, so follow our guide on where to go this January, or make plans for the coming year. Escape to sunnier climes such as Canary Islands or Thailand, or embrace the chill in Antarctica. And if you haven't had enough festivities, celebrate Christmas again with the Ethiopians, or the Australians at Sydney's range of festivals this month.
  1. Thailand

    Thailand

    Head for the islands of Thailand as the weather there is at its best this time of year, and the waters of the Andaman Sea are at their clearest – perfect for the amazing snorkelling and diving that Thailand offers. Phuket is rocketing up the Asian island stylometer, and we recommend taking the Luxe guide to Phuket to discover lush new developments, restaurants, shopping secrets and other exclusive pleasures on this paradise island. See our full range of Thailand guidebooks and maps here...

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  2. Cuba

    Cuba

    Cuba is at its coolest and least humid at this time of year, but still with bright sunny days. So it’s perfect for lazy beach days and thrilling Havana nights. The streetwise Time Out guide to Havana & the Best of Cuba is our choice for giving you the low-down on the places to go and sights to see. This guide will show you the sights of Old Havana – a Unesco World Heritage Site, reveal the best beach, and tell you how and where to find the best daiquiri. See all our Cuba guidebooks and maps here...

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  3. Ethiopia

    Ethiopia

    Celebrate an Ethiopian Christmas – Leddet – that takes place from 6 to 7 January each year, making it a great time to visit the country. Visit Lalibela, high in the rugged Lasta Mountains. The isolated town is a centre of pilgrimage and ranks among the greatest religious-historical sites. Here you can watch the beautiful Christmas procession between the churches hewn into the rocky landscape. Epiphany – Timkat – on 19 January is another colourful affair. Find your way with the Reise Know-How map of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti, which combines clear road and tourist detail.

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  4. Antarctica

    Antarctica

    Meet the penguins and head as far south as you can go – Antarctica. It is late summer there now, but don’t expect the mercury to rise any higher than 5˚C. However, this is the warmest time of year for Antarctica, so cruise ships can navigate the waters and it allows for exploration on land. For the trip of a lifetime, take along one of our exclusive Antarctica guides or maps such as the Antarctic Explorer.
  5. South Africa

    South Africa

    Visit South Africa and base yourself in one of the vibrant metropolises of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, or head into the Cape Provinces for stunning scenery along the Garden Route. Pay a visit to the Kruger National Park and you are almost guaranteed to spot the Big Five – the lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and the leopard.

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  6. Canada

    Canada

     Head to the hills of Canada for high chances of snow – take in some bobsleighing, ice climbing, and of course some skiing and snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies, Columbia Mountains and Coast Mountains or Quebec’s eastern mountains. You’ll find lift-serviced slopes by nearly every city. Or take it easier with the national favourite – ice skating – particularly fun when on a frozen lake

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  7. Canary Islands

    Canary Islands

    Get some winter sun with a break in the Canary Islands and take your sunhat and sunscreen – remember you’re nearer Africa than Europe here. Be it hiking the interior mountains and volcanoes of Lanzarote or Gran Canaria, enjoying the beach life of Tenerife or chilling out among the lush forests on the quieter La Palma; the islands make a perfect escape from the gloom of January.

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  8. Sydney

    Sydney

    One of Australia's most important cultural events, the Sydney Festival, attracts over 1.5 million people each year to a three-week programme of indoor and outdoor performances. Enjoy theatre, jazz, classical music, dance, opera and cinema, or take advantage of guided tours of the city's corporate art collections, offering a rare opportunity to see artworks not normally exhibited. Plus, don’t miss Australia Day on 26 January with massive celebrations in Sydney.

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