Updated On: February 07, 2024 by 
Aya Radwan
The majority of travellers venture on vacation during summertime to enjoy the buzz, nightlife and warm weather. However, when winter comes around, a luxurious holiday seems imminent. Winter vacations are for relaxation, quiet time, starting over and gathering yourself again to face life.
There are many options for a luxurious winter vacation: a splendid spa in the middle of the Alps, swimming heaven in warm, clear waters, a luxurious retreat in a castle-like hotel or even a unique ski resort experience. We bring you the top five luxury travel destinations you can head to this winter.
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Zermatt, Switzerland
The village of Zermatt in Switzerland is a modern infusion between breathtaking Alpine beauty and modern architecture. Switzerland’s most famous mountain, the Matterhorn, embraces Zermatt, which adds to the Alpine village’s mysterious beauty. Luxurious chalets dotted around Zermatt promise you the best of the snowy wonderland and enjoyable services of luxury accommodations.
Chalets such as Chalet Mckinley and Zermatt Peak Chalet offer you all the luxuries to make your stay magnificent, especially with indoor spa facilities. The options for snow activities are limitless in Zermatt; you can choose between skiing at the Sunnegga Paradise for unmatched views of Matterhorn, giving the longest European ski run a try, or if you’re a skilled skier, you can venture into skiing to the Italian side of Matterhorn for a spectacular skiing adventure.
Zermatt also offers you the most delectable food experiences. You can sample the wide variety of Swiss wine at Elsie’s Wine and Champaign Bar and indulge in the cheese specialities in the village: the Raclette and the Cheese Fondue. Or you can hike up to different spots for other mouth-watering food locations, such as Blatten and Zum See.
For the ultimate luxurious experience in Zermatt, you can book a helicopter ride that will steal your breath away. Air Zermatt offers different rides to accommodate your desires but still promises a thrilling ride. Our recommendation is by the end of the day, relax your tired muscles with a massage in the spa or a long soak in the hot tub in your chalet.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai has been the luxury capital of the Middle East for several years. The status of this city among the world’s most luxurious destinations has been affirmed by its extravagant hotels, first-class lounges, shopping spots, relaxation and lively nightlife. This nearly 200 years old city is the ultimate destination if you’re looking to enjoy the infusion of the magical Arabic culture and modern technology.
During wintertime, the weather is perfect in Dubai when the scorching summer heat quiets down, and the beaches become the ideal spot for sunbathing. The Emarati desert is enjoyable during both the summertime and wintertime, except during winter, you can enjoy the warmth of the desert sand and the mild breeze in a nighttime barbeque beneath the stars.
Your Dubai extravaganza starts with staying at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, Burj Al-Arab, where land and sea stretch before your eyes in unparalleled beauty. From there, you can have your itinerary arranged, which can include a private helicopter ride, a luxury safari night, a personalised shopping experience and a luxury yacht cruise in the beautiful Dubai Marina.
If you wish to witness the world’s most expensive and extravagant race, with a grand prize of $12 million, get exclusive views of the Dubai World Club race from Medyan’s Nad Al Sheba Suite. Dubai Hills and Jumeirah Golf Estates welcome you into their professional golf courses for a shot at this prestigious sport. Or you can substitute the games for a once-in-a-lifetime ride in a supercar to glaze the city’s streets.
Dubai’s fine dining Michelin star restaurants offer you sumptuous menus for a memorable experience. Have your pick between Tresind Studio, Zuma, Ossiano and Kohantei. For a rewind from the day’s events, you can have a relaxing spa experience at the Talise Spa back at Burj Al-Arab, with various therapeutic massages and swimming experiences.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
The picturesque Lake Bled, with the Julian Alps as a backdrop, is a fairytale luxury destination when donned with fluffy white snow. In northwestern Slovenia, the secluded Lake Bled is a perfect location for luxurious winter recreation and relaxation. The small islet in the middle of the lake adds to its majestic fairytale charm.
You can book your stay at the Grand Hotel Toplice or Vila Bled, with an entire board of indoor services to provide ultimate convenience and comfort. From there, the excellent staff can help you plan your activities with a multitude of options to dive into the local culture, enjoy relaxing activities and get a taste of fairytale beauty.
Start by walking along the shore of the lake, where a wooden footbridge will cross your path, allowing you to walk above the lake. Your walk will eventually take you into town, or you can change courses by visiting Bled Castle. You will get to enjoy a trip through the region’s history but, most prominently, let the serene views of the lake calm your soul.
Park Café has a fantastic ice rink, where skating is the least you can do. There are art and music performances on the rink. The café also gives you the opportunity to enjoy a torch-lit hike by the lake, which is an exciting yet eerie experience, one that will take you back in time. If you’re up for a short walk, you can hike any of the hills surrounding the lake, such as Osojnica, Ojstrica, Grad and Ravnica.
If the lake isn’t frozen yet, you must take a traditional pletna boat to visit the islet, climb the stairs of St. Mary’s Church and ring the Bell of Desire. If you are lucky and spend Christmas and the New Year at the lake, you will witness authentic and mesmerising celebrations in the town and by the lake, with the participation of all hotels in the area.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg, Austria, is our second Alpine choice as a luxurious winter destination. Located on the border with Germany and the majestic Salzach River dividing the city in half, Salzburg is an outstanding display of intricate baroque architecture and 19th-century modernism. The Old City in Salzburg is famous for being the birthplace of the master composer Mozart.
Your luxurious time in Salzburg can begin by booking the ideal hotel. Hotel Schloss Mönchstein and Hotel Goldener Hirsch are our top recommendations in the city. After settling in, we recommend you wash off the tiredness of the trip by heading to one of the best two spas in the city: the Therme Bad Vigaun and Aqua Salza. Then, you can begin fresh in arranging the rest of your stay.
Start your trip by enjoying a magnificent lunch or dinner at the medieval Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of the city’s iconic landmarks and most giant fortresses in Europe. The fortress gives you unparalleled views of Salzburg, with the backdrop of soul-healing music and a glass of wine of your choice. There’s an Advent market in the fortress’s courtyard for some unique Christmas shopping and souvenirs.
To complete your stay in Salzburg, we recommend you visit the local museums. The Salzburg Museum offers snippets of every aspect of the city’s history. From there, you can take the underground passage to reach the Panorama Museum, which is a magnificent painting of the city by Johann Michael Sattler.
The DomQuartier will be your next stop, a connected neighbourhood of museums; follow that with your last destination, the Hagenauer Haus, where Mozart was born. This house museum is home to some of Mozart’s belongings, such as his violin. For the most luxurious spots to satisfy your hunger after all the sightseeing in the city, we recommend heading to one of three spots: Magazin, the Glass Garden or Restaurant Esszimmer.
Some of our recommended private tours in Salzburg are a private tour to the Eisriesenwelt Cave in the Alps to marvel at the beauty of this ice cave. You will then get to visit the Hallein Salt Mine, which is one of the oldest in the world. The second private tour is that of the Original Sound of Music, where you will learn a bit about the Von Trapp family, visit some of the musical’s original spots and, if you’re up for it, finish off with a cooking class.
Hokkaido, Japan
Hokkaido, the second largest Japanese island, is a pleasant destination during summertime and wintertime. The island’s scenic landscape transforms during winter into a spectacular destination for visitors. If you’re visiting Japan during winter, experiencing Japanese-style luxury in Hokkaido is a must.
Luxurious hotels in Hokkaido offer you various options, a calming seaside view like the Lake Suite Ko No Sumika accommodations or a majestic mountain view such as the Zaborin Ryokan hotel, both promising you an exceptional stay. After your exhausting flight, you can wash off the tiredness in your hotel room’s onsen before heading for a good night’s sleep.
The highly-praised powder snow in Hokkaido offers you the best skiing and snowboarding experience, with the best slopes in Niseko and Rusutsu villages. If you aim to enjoy the view and relax, you can enjoy onsen baths and snow parks on the site. If you’re lucky, you might witness one of the extraordinary phenomena of Diamond Dust and Sun Pillars, which occur only in Hokkaido during winter.
Hokkaido is known for its diverse winter festivals. The most captivating of these festivals are the Sapporo Snow Festival, the Sapporo White Illumination Festival and the Snow Light Path Festival in Otaru. You can head to Lake Shikaribetsu, where a frozen village offers you unique experiences in a snow-made bar, open-air onsen and a lodge for you to relax, all on a frozen lake!
Another remarkable experience in Hokkaido is witnessing shooting stars at the Akan Mashu National Park, where you can also catch the beauty of Lake Mashu during the winter season. The Hokkaido must-try luxurious food on the menu is Hokkaido crab. The island is famous for its King Crab, Snow Crab and Hairy Crab.
A luxurious destination gives you more than just an experience; it will fill your heart in the most remarkable way—one you wouldn’t experience otherwise.
