Pack your bags, winter is coming ❄️
Find out 🔎 why it's better to start planning now 📅 for your winter escape 🐬
Hi there! 👋 Oana here.
You might still be caught up in planning your summer holiday or dreaming about the perfect destination. But in the world of slow traveling and long-term accommodations, this is the perfect moment to start researching hidden gems for the beginning of next year. ✨🗺️
🔍 Let's explore why booking listings now for January or February is a win-win for you and your budget.
💰 Buget-friendly approach
Imagine being able to visit Algarve ☀️ and stay in gorgeous accommodation for less than half the price you'd typically spend during the peak season. Now picture yourself spending your winter in Tenerife, relishing a luxurious mansion near the beach 🏖️, without paying the exorbitant premium price due to high demand.
Pricing 🤑 is undoubtedly one of the primary factors to consider when selecting the ideal accommodation, and booking in advance can truly assist travelers in saving a substantial amount of money.
👇🏻 Below, you can compare the same accommodation price of an Algarve listing in January and August. I will give you a spoiler, the prices in August are four times more for the same listing 🙀🙀.
By planning and securing your accommodation early, you can seize the opportunity to enjoy lower rates and discounted prices 📈 that are frequently available outside of peak travel times. This enables you to allocate your travel budget more efficiently, whether for immersing yourself in local experiences 🚲, savoring delicious cuisine 🍝, or exploring captivating attractions ⛩️.
At the same time, you can book cheaper flights ✈️ in advance, if needed, or secure a rental car 🚗 at a more affordable price. These options can save you a significant amount of money and grant you the freedom to invest in the things you love 💕.
🏖️🌊 Summer vibes without summer crowds
In January or February, many beautiful destinations are considered off-season, meaning fewer tourists visit during this time. This presents a unique opportunity for you to enjoy these places without the usual crowds and to engage in a wide range of activities without constraints. 🌴🌤️
You can savor the tranquility of these destinations and truly make the most of your experience. Whether it's relaxing by the shore, hiking through picturesque landscapes, or trying out various water sports, you'll have the freedom to indulge in your favorite activities without feeling crowded or rushed. It's the perfect chance to embrace the serenity and beauty of these places at your own pace. 🚶♀️🌅
There is plenty of fish 🐠🛒 on the market.
Typically, people search for accommodations until August or, at the latest, September. As a result, there is a wide availability of beautiful accommodations starting in January. This presents a unique advantage as you can carefully select your desired facilities, consider the apartment's location, and have a broader range of options to choose from to find your perfect accommodation. 🏡🌟
Just to give you an idea, here's a comparison between available accommodations under 1200 Euro/month in August versus January in Portugal. 🏨🗓️
Portugal 🇵🇹
August: 148 listings
January: >1000 listings
Algarve region:
August: 12 listings
January: 263 listings
📌 Tip of the month
🧐 How to better choose your destination based on month?
Being off-season might mean that the experience in a particular destination is entirely different from what you can live during the season period.
For example, go to Montenegro in January. You might realize that you are freezing cold ❄️ and can't actually do any popular activities during the season 👙.
Things are pretty straightforward if you're into skiing 🏂🏻 and looking for a traditional winter getaway.
If you want to find your summer 🍉 in the winter season, you can check out these two indicators sunshine hours 🔅 and weather 🌡️ .
Let's start with the weather. During winter, temperatures in Europe drop, but some parts of Europe will still be warmer.
The map below might help you better understand the weather pattern ⬇️
🔍 Now, when we talk about "sun" 🌞, we often associate it with summer. Therefore, understanding the daily sunshine hours of a specific destination will ensure that even if the location generally has warm weather, you'll also enjoy a daily dose of sun to enhance your experience.
Here's a breakdown of the average sunshine duration in European countries per month: ⬇️
🔗 List of cities in Europe by sunshine duration
In 2023, I spent the first part of the year in Algarve, Portugal, and Combarro, Spain. Despite having similar temperatures, around 20 degrees Celsius, the weather felt colder in Combarro. Most days there were cloudy or rainy.
So, by considering both sunshine and weather, you can make a more informed decision about your future winter destination and be prepared for the unexpected.
🎁 Bonus of the month
Before diving into the wonderful recommendations for a perfectly planned January workation on Nomad Listings, let's take a moment to acknowledge that Europe is about to heat up in a few weeks! 🌍 To help you make the most of your holiday season, I've put together a delightful guide featuring the best coffee shops I've had the pleasure of visiting in the countries I've explored so far.
☕️🎄 Take a break, sip on a delicious cup of joy, and enjoy the guide! And if you happen to visit any of these charming coffee shops, I would be thrilled to hear about your experience. Don't forget to leave me a comment and share your thoughts. Cheers to a delightful coffee-filled adventure! 😊✨
🔥 Now, let’s discover the winter destinations that will bring you back to summer vibes:
1️⃣ Portugal 🇵🇹
I can't stress enough how worth it is to experience the Algarve region at least once in a lifetime during the winter months. You can enjoy the fantastic beaches 🩴, hike beautiful trails 👟, and explore all the cities 🌇 without hassle. The weather is perfect, and you can feel the local vibes once the tourist season ends.
🌺 Madeira or Azores are also two excellent options for your winter holiday. However, consider that January is a tourist season in Madeira since many people find it a perfect destination with temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius.
2️⃣ Spain 🇪🇸
Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca are the best choices if you want to enjoy nice weather, fewer crowds, and even surfing. 🌞🏄♀️ Tenerife will be a bit warmer than Palma de Mallorca. 🌡️ Still, since during the season, the prices for accommodations in Palma de Mallorca explode 💥💰 - currently, there is no available accommodation under 1500 Euro in Palma de Mallorca for August - it is worth visiting it in the first months of the year. 📅✨
3️⃣ Malta 🇲🇹
Malta is a unique and beautiful destination, filled with captivating cities and stunning landscapes. 🌴 In winter, the weather ranges from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, providing a pleasant climate. 😊 You can indulge in various outdoor activities and explore to your heart's content, immersing yourself in the island life. 🏝️
💌 Don’t forget! If you enjoyed our newsletter, please subscribe and share it with a friend! We're here to help you find the perfect long-stay accommodations and make your travel dreams come true.🏡
If you have specific destinations or are curious about certain places, just let us know! We're happy to consider them in our newsletter and provide tips and tricks for slow traveling. 🗺️✈️
Remember, our goal is to ensure that you find your perfect long-term accommodation without additional hassle.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates, travel inspiration, and helpful information in our upcoming newsletters.
See you next time, fellow nomad!