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Are you stuck in a long winter? Can you only think about the sun, the sea and the beach? Looks like you need a January vacation!
We always long for the sun in January. But where is it hot in January? And where are you guaranteed enough hours of sunshine? We would like to share some sunny destinations with you to escape the cold winter months. We have taken into account the hours of sunshine, temperature and whether it is a nice destination to complete your holiday. Read on and get inspired for your next trip!
1. Vacay in the Canary Islands
Did you know you can enjoy the sun, sea and beach all year round in the Canary Islands? Delicious, right? Now you are probably wondering which islands are best to visit in January. We are happy to share them with you:
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest island of the Canary Islands. This causes a large climate difference between the North and the South. In the North, it is humid and cool, while in the South, it is very dry and sunny. Although the climate is very different, Tenerife is one of the warmest Canary Islands in winter. You can enjoy beautiful weather here all year round. In winter, the temperature in Tenerife is between 20 and 25 degrees, and in the sun, this can even rise to 33 degrees!
Apart from the fact that Tenerife is a beautiful island, there is plenty to do. Enjoy the beaches of Playa de las Americas. Or hike on the island's most famous mountain, El Teide. And do you like a little more excitement and adventure? Then visit Siam Park: a water park full of grandiose slides.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is the most popular island among the Dutch. Not surprising, because it is never colder than 20 degrees here. Just like on Tenerife, it is a bit cooler in the north than in the south. The south of the island has more than 320 days of sunshine every year, and it hardly ever rains. Add to that the 7 to 8 hours of sunshine per day and you have the perfect island to enjoy the sun in the winter. Enjoy the beach at Playa de Las Canteras, visit the Dunes of Maspalomas or go shopping in the capital Las Palmas.
Lanzarote
For a wonderfully warm climate, you have to be on Lanzarote! Due to its favorable location, the island benefits from the warm air flow from North Africa. This ensures that it never gets colder than 20 degrees. With these warm temperatures, Lanzarote certainly deserves a place in the list of warmest Canary Islands in winter. For real beach lovers, visit the Papagayo beaches. Looking for a little more adventure? Then climb the volcano Cueva de los Verdes.
In short, the Canary Islands are the perfect escape for a sunny January vacation. Would you rather spend less time on the road, but still enjoy the Spanish sun? Check out our complete guide to a weekend in Barcelona.
2. The Antilles
Curaçao, together with Aruba and Bonaire, forms the ABC islands. They belong to the Windward Islands and are part of the southern Lesser Antilles. Whether you go to Aruba, Bonaire or Curaçao, all three places are ideal in January. The weather is guaranteed to be nice here!
Curaçao
Snow-white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and swaying palm trees. A holiday to this Caribbean island will make you forget all your worries. The island is also called “Dushi Kòrsou” by its inhabitants, which means sweet Curaçao. If you are a real beach lover then you have definitely come to the right place. Take a look at perhaps the most popular beach, namely Jan Thiel Bay. Are you looking for a little more peace? Then Cas Abao Beach is the perfect place for your January vacation.
There is also room for nature – mainly on the west coast. Although it is no longer a well-kept secret, Christoffel Park is definitely worth a visit. This largest national park on the island is known for its wide variety of flora and fauna. To complete this visit, a climb to the top of the Christoffelberg is definitely recommended.
Bonaire
Bonaire is the second largest island of the Netherlands Antilles after Curaçao and is located just off the coast of Venezuela. Opposite the capital Kralendijk is the smaller uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire. The tropical climate makes Bonaire an excellent sun destination during the cold winter months. January is therefore one of the best months to visit the island.
Are you a real water rat and do you prefer to spend your holiday under water as much as possible? Then you will feel like a fish in water during a diving holiday on Bonaire. The sea around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire is a true paradise full of tropical fish and colorful coral and is part of the protected Bonaire National Marine Park. No wonder Bonaire is one of the most beautiful dive sites in the world
Aruba
Aruba, also called one happy island, guarantees a relaxing and laid-back vacation. If you like sun, sea, beach and cocktails, this is the place to be. The southwest coast of Aruba is exactly what you see in the pictures: wide pearly white beaches along the azure blue sea.
Although Aruba is not much larger in area than Texel, there are plenty of things to do on the island. For example, visit the oldest building on the island; Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad. And climb the Willem || Tower here for a beautiful view of the city. Are you a true nature lover? Then discover the Arikok National Park. This nature reserve covers no less than a fifth of the island and consists of exotic rock formations of volcanic lava, petrified corals and impressive limestone caves. You also won't want to skip the underwater world on the island. For example, close to the coast you will find a special snorkeling location, namely with a sunken ship from World War II.
A vacation on the Antilles in January is mainly sun, sea and beach. And of course enjoy all that these beautiful islands have to offer. Have you ever thought about taking the plunge and traveling alone? We have the best tips and destinations for solo travel for you!
3. Dubai
Dubai is located on the Arabian Peninsula, which is known as one of the hottest places on earth. As a result, the emirate has a subtropical warm desert climate. Thanks to this climate, the sun shines almost all year round and the average temperature is around 25 degrees. Perfect for a sunny January vacation in Dubai.
It is a great destination for a unique and spectacular vacation. There is no other country in the world with so many records to its name: from the tallest tower in the world to the largest shopping mall and from the tallest Ferris wheel to the largest aquarium. Dubai is not called Disneyland for adults for nothing.
The thing you absolutely should not miss during your holiday in Dubai is the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world. During the At The Top Experience you go up in a lightning-fast elevator, after which you have a beautiful view of the entire city. Below you see the Dubai Fountain and in the distance you can even see Palm Island, with the famous Atlantis Hotel on it. For the best experience, go around sunset so you can see Dubai in daylight as well as after dark. Would you also like a little more excitement in your activity? Then create a Desert Safari. Get ready for an hour of dune bashing: racing through the desert in a jeep. A very cool and unique experience. You stop in the middle of the desert to watch the beautiful sunset there.
4. Vacation in Cape Town
In January it is full summer in Cape Town, with temperatures that are approximately between 25 and 30 degrees. It is one of the most popular destinations in the country, especially among the Dutch. The 'Mother City', as Cape Town is also called, lies at the foot of Table Mountain, one of the city's icons. It is therefore definitely worth climbing the mountain and enjoying the amazing view.
There is much more to see here! For example, a day of rest on the beach is not entirely unimportant during your holiday. Head to beaches like Camps Bay or one of Clifton's cozier beaches. Make a stopover in the cozy and colorful village of BoKaap. For some more history of the country, visit the Robben Islands. The tours on these islands are given by ex-prisoners, which adds to the experience.
5. Reizen naar Bali
If you go on a January vacation to Bali, you do that of course for the beautiful island, but also for the good weather. Although the sun shines most of the year, Bali also has a rainy season. In the rainy season there is often (sometimes every day) a shower and the humidity is a lot higher. So sweat! The rest of the year is the dry season. That means very little rain!
There are several places in Bali that are worth visiting when you are on the island. Canggu is a popular place, especially among backpackers. This hip village is known for its good surfing opportunities, but you can also enjoy going out. Many millennials feel at home here because of the many yoga spots, the various culinary restaurants and the cozy cafes. If you want to discover more culture on the island, Ubud is a good place to go. There is a lot to see and do in and around Ubud. Close to the city are a number of beautiful rice fields and the famous Monkey Forest. In the south of the island is the nice Uluwatu, with a number of beautiful beaches, spectacular cliffs and good surfing spots.
If you would like to discover more of Southeast Asia, read our blog about traveling alone through beautiful Asia and what to expect.
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