Where to Travel on Vacation in January 2022

New Year's Eve

Where? Moscow, Russia

Technically this worldwide-celebrated event starts in December but any New Year's holiday will fall across January and there are plenty of amazing places to join in the fun. In Russia you can watch the impressive fireworks display over Moscow, in Jordan you can celebrate with local Bedouins in Wadi Rum or in Morocco you can unwind in coastal Essaouira.

Harbin Ice Festival

Where? Harbin, China

In January the northern city of Harbin in China becomes a winter wonderland, with the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Gigantic sculptures artfully carved from blocks of ice stand beside monumental frozen buildings and compete for awards. With fireworks displays, fairground rides and neon lights at night, it's the perfect event for adults who never quite grew up.

Bikaner Camel Festival

Where? Bikaner, India

Every year the Rajasthani town of Bikaner becomes a colourful playground for the beloved camel. Affectionately known as the 'ship of the desert' in India, camels participate in races, dances, sports and neck shaking competitions. Over the course of two days there's also an array of cultural performances with folk dances, puppet shows and musical displays.

Southeast Asia

With the monsoon rains largely gone, you can take your pick of idyllic islands and pristine coastline across Southeast Asia. From Krabi in Thailand to Phu Quoc in Vietnam, Ngapali in Myanmar and Sihanoukville in Cambodia, there's plenty to choose from. The weather is mostly cool and dry, so the rest of these countries are ripe for exploration, perfect for combining a bit of culture and adventure with your relaxing beach break.

Central America

It's the dry season across Central America, which means cooler but still deliciously warm temperatures and less rainfall on both the Caribbean and Pacific coast - the rains that do occur tend to be short afternoon showers that quickly move on. The choice of beach destination is as varied as the countries that make up the region, from the glam resorts of Cancun to the pristine and quiet beaches of Belize and Honduras.

Zanzibar

This popular tropical island is hot and dry in January, with temperatures sitting in the high 20s (degrees centigrade). The sandy shores are drenched in sunlight, with spectacular sunsets a common sight. You may go days without seeing a single cloud in the sky and at night this means romantic star gazing on the beach. Off the south coast of the island diving is particularly good at this time of year too.

Tanzania

A secondary, reasonably dry season hits East Africa from mid-December to mid-March and with the wildebeest of the southern Serengeti beginning their calving season, it's a great time to visit Tanzania for a safari adventure. The drier conditions will mean the bush has thinned for better wildlife spotting opportunities and with thousands of wildebeest being born each day, you're almost guaranteed to spot the creatures and the predators they may attract.

The Galapagos

It's the warm and wet season in the Galapagos, which means low winds and calm seas ideal for those that suffer from sea sickness. There's plenty happening in terms of wildlife, with adult marine iguanas becoming more brightly coloured on Espanola Island, green turtles arriving on the shores to lay eggs and birds at their most active. The warmer water temperatures also make it an ideal time for snorkelling, with clear waters and plenty of marine life.

Costa Rica

The dry season in Costa Rica brings with it huge concentrations of bird species including herons, ducks, spoonbills and numerous other water birds, particularly around the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast. Hawksbill turtles are still nesting at Tortuguero National Park, while leatherback turtles nest on the Pacific Coast at Playa Grande and the northern Guanacaste province. The great weather also means great outdoor adventures.