Cosy Winter Escapes: Solo Travel Ideas for Over 60s Who Prefer the Cold

Cosy Winter Escapes: Solo Travel Ideas for Over 60s Who Prefer the Cold

It is easy to think that solo travel is put to bed every October, settling down for a deep slumber until the following March or April. Winter travel for seniors can be a whole lot of fun, however. This article isn’t about far-flung winter sun soirées to the tropics. Our cold weather travel ideas reexamine those very same European destinations that hold so many wonderful summer memories, except lounging on the beach, afternoons by the pool, and savouring each blast of air conditioning are no longer the order of the day.

Relax and prepare to get COSY!

As Europe turns the heating on and the nights get longer, solo travel for over 60s becomes a very different prospect. Swap strolls in sunshine for the crunch of fresh snow underfoot. Refreshing cocktails make way for warming hot chocolates and mulled ciders. Pavement cafe lunches become atmospheric evenings by the fire in characterful old restaurants. Travel doesn’t simply stop each autumn. It transforms into something entirely new but no less aspirational.

Head for the city

The departing summer crowds leave behind an altogether more authentic atmosphere in the city. ‘Tourist traps’, questionable souvenir sellers and long queues melt away, leaving locals to go about their business unhindered and the savvy visitor enjoying a more relaxed experience. This translates to a proper insight into real life. For example, you’ll see where the locals really dine out (and what they actually eat), spot unique customs and cultures taking centre stage (instead of the over-the-top caricatures fed to summer crowds), and generally enjoy an unhurried, more intimate experience.

Think strudel making (and tasting) for comfort food happiness in the heart of imperial Vienna, or a wander through uncrowded Venice while its ancient carnival takes place around you, locals donning ever more elaborate masks and outfits in a bid to outdo each other. For sheer atmosphere, it’s hard to beat a guided tour of the hidden corners and alleyways of Edinburgh as the city gears up for Christmas. Elsewhere, a wintertime visit to Prague Castle, particularly after recent snowfall, is a perfect example of how strikingly beautiful a cold-weather holiday can be. Be sure to have your camera ready for this one!  

Summer hotspots, chilled

It isn’t just the city that transforms in winter. Those classic sun-kissed summer hotspots do, too. Falling temperatures allow for more meaningful exploration, with less consideration needed for heat, shade, and hydration. And while landscapes certainly change, other highlights can be enjoyed exactly as they are in summer, minus the crowds. Andalucia's Moorish architecture and Tuscany's Renaissance treasures are unmoved by the seasons, providing a dependable highlight to your visit, whatever the time of year. 

Go all out for a wintertime adventure

Sometimes, cooler weather and dark skies are themselves the star attractions. Snow and ice aren’t just for Christmas, after all. Embrace winter travel by heading to the high north, where opportunities abound! Perhaps go in search of the elusive Northern Lights (impossible to see during the long, light evenings of summer). With little to no light pollution, a cruise along the frozen coast of Norway provides some of the best opportunities to see those famous dancing colours. Step out on deck, look towards the starry skies and you never know what you may see.

Lapland is perhaps the ultimate winter playground. Snowy landscapes are a given, daylight hours are exceptionally short, and snowmobiles or husky-pulled sledges are the best way to travel. Why not try your hand at ice fishing or enjoy a hot lunch and drinks around a campfire? One Traveller’s annual visits include the provision of heavy-duty winter clothing, ensuring you stay warm and toasty throughout.

Conclusion

A winter holiday is not just for those who prefer the cold (granted, you’ll need to live with the fact that you’re unlikely to return home with a suntan). It is something we should all consider. The uniquely authentic, cosy ambience of your destination of choice, and the chance to scratch under the surface of popular summertime locations, especially when you get to share your experience with good company, is really something rather special. Plan your cosy winter getaway well and you can expect:

• a de-facto queue jump to the biggest and best city sights, with none of the summer crowds in your way
• a whole lot more authenticity, witnessing real life come to the fore around you 
• a chance to experience different cuisines, particularly hot food and drink
• take part in wintertime activities that simply aren’t possible in the summer
• see familiar landscapes transformed under blankets of snow and ice
• enjoy dark, starry nights gathered around the fire or snuggled up warm in bed.

Get away from it all this winter with One Traveller and meet new friends along the way. Request a brochure for more details (including handy temperature guides) or find our latest availability.

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