Want to experience a quintessential winter in sub-zero climes, explore a far-away culture or ditch the woolies altogether and pack the beachwear instead? Whatever floats your boat, OHLALA brings you unique destinations to steer to this season.
ICY ADVENTURE – ESTONIA
If you’re after the winter feels for real – puffy coats, thermal layers, insulated boots, beanies and all – Estonia is your destination. Capital city Tallinn is a scene right out of a storybook this time of year with festive markets, frosted roof-tops and fairy lights dotting outdoor ice-skating rinks.
Though youthful and vibrant, Tallinn has retained its old-European charm. Walking through Vanalinn, the old town, will transport you to medieval times – spires, weathervanes, Gothic churches, and ancient watchtowers with red-tiled turrets. Some of the high walls which guarded the city back in the day can be walked along for fantastic views of snow-clad Tallinn. And some Old Town wall towers have been converted into hotel apartments to offer the most authentic Tallinn experience.
Other options to take in stunning views are atop the 170m-high observation deck on the Tallinn Tower or Patkuli Viewing Platform on Toompea Hill. These activities are best done in the morning while the low-hanging winter sun bathes the city in golden light. Also a good time to cuddle with playful, blue-eyed huskies before they whisk you away on a sled (be sure to pick an ethical tour operator).
After dark, embrace the native sauna culture to sweat it out local-style, visit museums and take in the fairytale vibe of festive markets selling local handicrafts, preserves and seasonal delicacies. Look out for reindeer ambling alongside. If the chill has gotten to you, warm up with a round of ice skating. Beyond Tallinn are the cities of Pärnu for lengthy beaches, promenades and a buzzing nightlife, and Viljandi, a quaint town beloved for its castle ruins, crooked windows in wooden houses and serene lakeside. Worth a day trip, time permitting.
SUN AND SAND – CAPE VERDE
This erstwhile Portuguese stronghold off the coast of West Africa is sunny all year round, comfortable enough for swimming in the Atlantic Ocean from November to June. Most popular on the archipelago is the island of Sal. Probably because it offers uniquely exciting things to do.
Like bobbing around in an extinct volcanic crater that is Pedra de Lume. This is Sal’s open-air spa. Once you’ve floated around on this high-salinity lagoon to your heart’s content, slather on the mineral-rich mud from the rim for a natural, skin-soothing treatment. This is also where the island harvests its – you guessed it – salt.
Not far away, you can hobnob with oceanic locals. Shark Bay is where you can wade around baby Lemon Sharks. Say hello and exchange pleasantries; they are supposed to be harmless. A reasonable drive away is Buracona, or the Blue Eye, which glows an extraordinary electric blue when the sunlight hits the volcanic rock pool between 11am and 1pm. Another spot for awe-inspired splashing about.
Head to Boa Vista island to meet serenity. Here, Santa Mónica Beach has the most unspoiled stretch of nothing but a breathtaking coastline. And Ervatão Beach sees baby turtles hatching and heading into the ocean this time of year. Besides snorkelling and catamaran tours, the island offers hikes to colourful villages and sandboarding and quad-biking along its sand dunes.
Other islands, like Santo Antão, Brava, Fogo and São Nicolau, provide gorgeous hiking vistas among mountain landscapes and lush greenery.
A ROYAL RECESS: RAJASTHAN
This Indian state is a kaleidoscope of colour and a paradise for those who love strolling along dreamy palace corridors of yore. The cooler months make it easier to hop between mainstream sightseeing, as well as go off on side explorations of your own.
Depending on the time in hand, you could traverse the linear JaipurJodhpur-Jaisalmer line for quintessential Rajasthan. Throw in a safari at Ranthambore National Park for majestic wildlife sightings; it’ll be worth it. And if you have the luxury of a longer vacation, include Ajmer, Bikaner and Udaipur for the full version of royal splendour.
The forts and palaces here will transport you to a different era altogether, making memories for a lifetime. The marble halls of Jaipur’s Sheesh Mahal, literally meaning palace of mirrors, are inlaid with intricate mirrorwork, allowing a single flame to brilliantly light up the space. The 900-plus latticed windows of the iconic Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) allowed womenfolk of the household to clandestinely people-watch, the distinct architecture allowing the breeze to keep them cool while doing so. And City Palace’s cerulean and white interiors will forever be a magnificent memory.
When in Jodhpur, check out Toorji Ka Jhalra, a stepwell that used to be a natural watering hole and social spot for the desert city. Its magnificent construction stands testament to the architectural proficiency of the time. Umaid Bhavan Palace and the regal interiors of the Mehrangarh Fort palaces are other not-to-miss sights here.
Udaipur is named Venice of the East. Here is the famous Taj Lake Palace hotel, formerly a grandiose summer palace built on Lake Pichola, now a coveted spot for high-end destination weddings. Go boating on the waters to explore temples, palaces and verdant landscapes. Wander Saheliyon ki Bari – a garden dating 300 years, housing fountains, lotus pools and lush greenery. Besides a magical amber hue at golden hours, Jaisalmer, that sits on a yellow sandstone ridge, has opulent havelis (royal mansions) boasting ornate detailing, the ‘living’ fort that’s Sonar Qila (Golden Fort) and luxury desert camps around Sam Sand Dunes to offer.
ORIENTAL SOUJOURN – VIETNAM
Crisp winter air and pearly mists envelop Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang and Halong Bay in the north of the country. The South has a sunny, dry, tropical disposition in Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc and the Mekong Delta. Head to either one or both for a break brimming with rich culture and unforgettable sights.
Steaming bowls of Pho, hot mugs of creamy egg coffee and hearty hotpots bubbling with meats – Hanoi is the foodie’s cloud nine. Between dining pitstops, catch the gorgeous blooms at the Me Linh Flower Festival, admire the neo-Gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral and watch marionettes depict Vietnamese culture at the Thang Long Theatre’s water puppet show. Round out the stimulating experience of the Old Quarter with a walk along the railway tracks on Train Street. Wait for a locomotive to rumble past just inches away from cafes, homes… and you!
A couple of hours away, Halong Bay is shrouded with swirling mists over limestone karsts. Take an overnight cruise down the iconic waterway and marvel at the extraordinary rock formations of underground caves. The brave can bundle up and kayak along quiet coves for an exhilarating experience.
Enjoy Sapa’s slower pace as you ride the cable car up Mount Fansipan, go ‘cloud hunting’ and walk around ethnic villages strewn with terraced rice fields, wooden homes, bamboo forests and mountain streams.
Hop between French colonial-era landmarks of sunny Ho Chi Minh City, like the Saigon Central Post Office, Opera House and the Asian version of the Notre-Dame. Walk along the pedestrian Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street dotted with flowers and lights this time of year. Take a daytrip to the Mekong Delta for pleasant boat rides through floating markets, fruit orchards and traditional villages.
The cooler months bring the best visibility for exploring vivid coral reefs while scuba diving and snorkelling off Phu Quoc Island. Ride the Hon Thom Sea-Crossing Cable Car, the longest of its kind, marvelling at the spectacular panorama till you reach Sun World Water Park and when all is done, build castles on any of the island’s white-sand shores.
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