Experience a wide range of winter wonders with your family
Winter family tours can take many forms, depending on the sort of experience you’re looking for. You can embrace the frigid air and serene snowscapes of northern Sweden or Norway, or curl up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate amid the Alpine peaks of Switzerland.
Alternatively, head to tropical winter destinations like Mexico or Costa Rica for balmy temperatures that provide a respite from cold weather elsewhere – and take advantage of seasonal highlights like whale watching and low rainfall.
Winter in the Southern Hemisphere lasts from June to August and is a great time to hike through Peru or spot wildlife in the Amazon. We can arrange family-friendly treks to Machu Picchu and Amazon river cruises for all ages.
In East Africa and Southern Africa, winter coincides with the cool and dry season from May/June to October. These are optimal months for a family safari in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe, complete with private game drives and luxurious family safari lodges.
Whatever you have in mind for your winter family vacation, our travel designers can help bring your vision to life. Get in touch to start planning a trip that’s perfectly tailored to your family’s preferences.
Highlights
Meet Santa Claus and his reindeer in the far northern reaches of Finland and catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring northern lights
Step aboard a felucca (traditional sailboat) to explore the Nile in style, with plenty of opportunities to learn about Ancient Egypt
Go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef and spot baby kangaroos during Australia‘s winter months (June–August)
See the Okavango Delta in full flood and discover its wealth of wildlife with specially designed safari experiences for children
Experience Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico or lively Carnival festivities throughout Latin America
The best winter trips for families can be snowy and cosy or sunny and warm. Keep in mind that the seasons are reversed in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres – and winter can mean something completely different depending on your destination.

Jess Kay
Client Ambassador
Luxury winter accommodation
Why book with Jacada?

Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Travel inspiration
Where to go in winter

Australia
Australia is a wonderful destination for winter family trips, with a wide array of intriguing wildlife to discover in the Top End, Tasmania, Kangaroo Island and beyond.
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Botswana
Botswana is among the best places in Africa for a winter family safari, with child-friendly lodges, vast wilderness and one-of-a-kind water-based safaris in the Okavango Delta.
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Brazil
Brazil is one of the largest and most diverse countries in the world, just as rich in culture as it is in wildlife. The Amazon experiences its winter dry season from June to November.
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Costa Rica
Boasting gorgeous sandy beaches, wildlife-rich rainforests and volcanic highlands, Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for an adventurous and well-rounded winter family trip.
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Egypt
Egypt experiences lovely weather in winter. December to February offer the coolest temperatures for daytime exploration and scenic river cruises on the Nile.
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Finland
Finland becomes a genuine winter wonderland in the colder months, with plenty of snowfall and a high chance of witnessing the northern lights.
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Italy
The Italian Dolomites are a lovely choice for a winter family holiday – as is Venice if you’re hoping to beat the summer crowds.
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Kenya
Kenya is undoubtedly among the planet’s top safari destinations. Families can explore the Maasai Mara and experience the Great Migration during the cooler and drier months.
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Mexico
One of our all-time favourite winter destinations, Mexico has everything you need for an epic family trip. The Yucatán Peninsula is especially lovely from December to April.
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Norway
Enjoy a whimsical winter atmosphere in Norway, when the country is blanketed in snow and the skies are illuminated with the brilliant colours of the aurora borealis.
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Peru
Winter in Peru falls from June to August and provides perfect conditions for hiking in the highlands and visiting Machu Picchu with your family.
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Sweden
Sweden is a wonderful destination for winter family tours, boasting the northern lights and the cosy tradition of fika, which usually involves a hot drink and a sweet treat.
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Switzerland
Head to the Swiss Alps for winter scenery that looks straight out of a storybook, snowy slopes and all manner of family-focused fun.
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Tanzania
Retreat to one of Tanzania’s exquisite safari lodges with your family and prepare for a truly exceptional safari in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater or Mahale Mountains.
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Zambia
As one of the world’s most renowned safari destinations, Zambia promises not only diverse wildlife but also family-friendly accommodation and the majesty of Victoria Falls.
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Zimbabwe
Family trips to Zimbabwe can include not just classic game drives but also ancient rock art, river rafting, rhino tracking and walking safaris.
Discover moreWhen to visit winter destinations
The best time for winter family tours depends on a few factors. If you’re hoping to escape the cold weather where you live, your best bet is to travel to the other side of the equator. You’ll find summer temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere from December to February and in the Northern Hemisphere from June to August.
If your idea of winter fun looks like snow, ice and crackling fires, then the best places to see in winter are those located at high altitudes or in close proximity to the Arctic Circle. The best time for winter trips to Scandinavia and the Alps is December to February.
Finally, some of our favourite hot winter destinations are located near the equator – meaning they don’t experience extreme temperature changes throughout the year. If you’re headed somewhere tropical, just make sure to keep in mind when the rainy and dry seasons occur in your destination.

Snow and northern lights in Sápmi
October–March

Sunny skies in Costa Rica
December–April

Safari season in Africa
May/June–October
Travel guides
Plan your winter family tour


Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.





























