Cold Weather Travel
I absolutely HATE being cold. As cozy as it is to snuggle up under the covers or drink a hot cup of cocoa, being cold is still one of the most uncomfortable, irritating feelings for me. I will easily let my home get hotter than most would think comfortable in the summer, but in the winter my power bill doubles because I refuse to be cold in my own home. I’ve lived in the southern US for over 15 years, and I think it gets too cold in the winter.
I’ve read about the idea of backpackers on their round the world trips who chase the summer. They plan their trips so that they’re always in a warm place, whether that’s because of the season or the geographic location. I haven’t taken a round the world trip (yet?) so I’ve really only done short trips, 3 weeks at most besides my 6 week study abroad trip to Spain.
I’ve traveled to Europe so many times I can’t count anymore, always between May and August. I’ve been to South America in January and February, when it’s summer there. I was in Hong Kong in March (spring) and Australia in April (early fall) and enjoyed warm weather there as well. The only cold weather trip I had taken before the end of November was to Antarctica, which technically was during summer. Besides, I don’t think I really noticed the cold while admiring such an incredibly beautiful place.
This year I decided to take advantage of the long Thanksgiving weekend at the end of November to travel to London and Prague. I knew it would be cold, but I don’t think I was fully prepared for what I experienced those four days.
I spent my day in London walking around to see various attractions such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the British Museum. The temperature was right around freezing, and the wind just made it feel colder. I got a few breaks while in the museum and when I stopped for lunch, but overall I was pretty miserable being outside in the cold all day. Then I spent three days in Prague doing mostly outdoor sightseeing, again in freezing temperatures. It even snowed twice while I was there.
What I realized after this trip was that dealing with the cold at home is totally different than dealing with it while traveling. At home, I’m mostly only outside for a few minutes at a time during the winter. But while traveling, there are so many things to do outside. I would’ve missed out on why Prague is so beautiful if I hadn’t spent most of each day outside.
There are still so many cold weather places I want to see: Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Russia. I refuse to skip seeing these places just because I hate cold weather, but I’ve decided I need to limit the cold weather trips. Maybe I need to space them out, maybe I need to research different activities so I don’t feel like I’m missing out by being inside. No matter what, I’m just glad I learned about my lack of patience for cold weather travel on a short trip.
Do you like cold weather travel? What do you do to enjoy a destination in frigid conditions?
Traveling to Prague? Check out Prague: 10 Locals Tell You Where to Go, What to Eat, & How to Fit In by Gigi Griffis!
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January 9, 2011 @ 4:21 PM
Maybe you just need a bigger scarf? Or a hat?
January 9, 2011 @ 4:24 PM
What I probably needed was one of those ski masks that only has little eye holes in it.
January 9, 2011 @ 4:43 PM
If traveling to Iceland, you need to go after the beginning of May as the country is literally closed until then! That being said, a medium-warm jacket is fine and never did it feel freezing, even when going into a “hot pot” (hot springs). Love reading about your travels and am jealous that I’m not traveling much these days.
January 9, 2011 @ 6:27 PM
Thanks Debra! I always thought about going to Iceland in the winter (despite my issues with being cold) b/c I wanted to see the northern lights there, but maybe I’ll have to rethink that now. I appreciate the tips! Thanks for reading my blog!
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January 9, 2011 @ 5:22 PM
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January 9, 2011 @ 6:00 PM
Sunshine all the way for me, please!! Although I do dream of a white Christmas one day 🙂
January 9, 2011 @ 6:31 PM
We actually had a white Christmas in Atlanta this year, which is extremely rare for this part of the country. Definitely agree about the sunshine!
January 9, 2011 @ 10:13 PM
Hey Ali! Got your link on Twitta.
I LOATHE the cold weather! Grew up in New Jersey, but the whole thing about humans adapting in order to survive – I think I missed the curve there haha.
Your post actually took me back to when I was in Beijing last year during their COLDEST WINTER IN 60 YEARS!!!! That was the day we tried to go to the Great Wall haha. It did not work out so well. 😛
Anyway, Happy Cold Weather Travels! Bring a snuggie with you next time to cuddle up with after a full day! 😉
January 9, 2011 @ 10:39 PM
I lived in NJ until I was 15, never was any good at handling the cold then either! That sounds like a crazy day in Beijing, I admire you for trying. Thanks for reading!
January 10, 2011 @ 9:38 AM
whenever i plan to travel i make sure i am going to my destination during summer, fall or spring. i have never travelled to a cold place. i total agree with you, people should chase summer
January 10, 2011 @ 10:51 AM
Snow is fun, you should experience that at least once in your life.
January 10, 2011 @ 5:57 AM
I have no plans to be cold anytime soon, it’s cloudy in Chiang Mai today and I’m upset despite the fact it’s still boiling.
January 10, 2011 @ 10:47 AM
I’m definitely going to try for warm weather next time. I hope the clouds clear up for you!
January 10, 2011 @ 4:24 PM
I make for a horrible traveler. I can’t stand hot temperature, or cold, really. Our RTW trips is planned to chase ‘spring’ 🙂 But between the two extremes, i’d rather be too cold. You can always put on more layers… 🙂
January 10, 2011 @ 5:32 PM
I’m not a big fan of the extreme heat either when traveling, but somehow I can deal with that easier. I think it’s that in the cold, there’s really nothing you can do about your face being cold and that really makes me miserable. Chasing spring sounds like a good idea!
January 10, 2011 @ 10:29 AM
You’re a trooper for braving the cold! That’s the way to get the best travel deals. I’m one of the RTW backpackers who chased summer for the better part of the year. It was fantastic and I’d highly recommend it! (Although having a perma-tan for 10 months took a toll on my skin)
January 10, 2011 @ 10:54 AM
Chasing the summer sounds like a good plan. I’d love to try that someday!
January 10, 2011 @ 10:39 AM
I’m SO with you! I have so much of a better time traveling when it’s warm. Tropical just makes me happy! I went to Paris one unusually cold April and had a great time, but I hate that in all of the photos I’m wearing ugly jackets, and all I remember is running from place to place to get out of the cold! No leisurely strolls around town like my trips during warm months. That’s so funny — I’m glad I’m not the only one!
January 10, 2011 @ 10:58 AM
Exactly, even aside from just being cold, I’m all bundled up in my pictures & I don’t like them. I’ll take warm weather any day!
January 10, 2011 @ 10:40 AM
I’m from the Philippines and I’m definitely not good in handling the cold. When I went to Europe 3 years ago, I made sure I’ll be staying until autumn only.
I experienced winter in China and I was usually out for only 3 hours a day. It was a bad move. Cause all I did at the Great Wall was whine about my numb legs 🙁
January 10, 2011 @ 11:01 AM
I can relate to the numb legs, awful feeling. That was my whole weekend in Prague.
January 10, 2011 @ 12:39 PM
I need some hot choco after reading this post!!! I still can’t believe you’ve been to Antarctica. I’m drooling over your pic.
January 10, 2011 @ 3:12 PM
Sorry for making you cold! You’ll get to Antarctica soon I’m sure!
January 11, 2011 @ 9:56 AM
I’m a true southern girl! I like it hot. Hot and dry, hot and humid — just hot. It will definitely be interesting in Europe the next 2 weeks (though I won’t be in the coldest places). I’ll let you know if I find any interesting cold weather activities.
January 11, 2011 @ 10:45 AM
You’ll have a great time in Europe! Just bundle up & enjoy! Can’t wait to hear about it when you get back.
January 11, 2011 @ 9:11 PM
Wow, jealous you’ve been to Antarctica! I tend to prefer warm, tropical places, but there’s something very invigorating about wandering around a city or hiking in the woods during the winter. It’s nice to switch it up a bit too.
January 12, 2011 @ 12:31 AM
I definitely liked doing something a little different but maybe I need to stick to fall or spring instead of winter weather!
January 14, 2011 @ 8:20 PM
I absolutely hate the cold too! Sometimes I travel to colder destinations though not usually by choice, and I once I’m there I rarely spend as much time outdoors exploring and sightseeing as I would if it were warmer. Instead I tend to head for the warm, tropical destinations, but maybe I’d make an exception to visit Antarctica…it looks amazing! 😉
January 15, 2011 @ 1:12 AM
It definitely was harder to make myself go out & do all the sightseeing when it was that cold. I spent more time than I normally would in cafes drinking hot chocolate go warm up. You really should go to Antarctica someday, it was incredible.
January 15, 2011 @ 2:50 AM
Nope. Don’t like cold weather at home or traveling. However, I did go to Paris one year for Thanksgiving and had a great time. Just made sure I was nice and warm and really enjoyed the cooler weather there. Europe has to be tough to travel in the winter. I just read about Andy’s trip to England and how cold that was. Snow fascinates me but I wouldn’t enjoy traveling in it.
You are right. When you travel, you are outside a lot and it would make it tough with freezing temperatures. I actually prefer traveling in the Fall – still warm temps from the summer and fewer people. Spain is a fabulous place to visit in the Fall because the beaches are quiet, the weather is good, and not a lot of people. However, stick to the southern hemisphere during our winter! Just not Antarctica! 🙂
January 15, 2011 @ 9:35 AM
I haven’t been to Europe in the fall yet but Spain in the fall sounds good! You shouldtotally go to Antarctica, it was just around freezing when I was there, not horrible. Thanks for stopping by!
January 25, 2011 @ 7:52 PM
Actually I love cold weather travel. So much so that I’ve moved from Australia to Canada to do more of it. So far I love it here!! And you do actually get used to it! I love looking out the window and watching it snow. And the landscape looks like a fairytale with all that white everywhere. I try to avoid the summer! I was in Central Asia during the summer and it was crazy hot. I couldn’t do anything!
January 25, 2011 @ 8:58 PM
The snow it pretty but being outside it the freezing cold for hours at a time? No thanks. But having people like you who like cold weather and people like me who like warm weather helps balance out the world 🙂
November 9, 2012 @ 10:56 AM
I can soooooo relate!
It’s fall in Belgium now (about 12°C during the day) and I’m already wearing 4 layers since the end of September or so. I also travel mostly during summer, but I’ve once been to Berlin for almost a week in Februari. It was -10°C!!!!!
It was a great trip and I really love Berlin, but my friend and I were freezing our buts of the entire day. Another downside to it being winter when we went was that it was dark at 6pm and besides goign out for dinner, we mostly stayed in at night, avoiding the cold.
A couple of years ago I went back to Berlin in the summer. 36°C, that’s what I’m talking about!!! 😀
Oh by the way, I’d also love to visit Iceland and will not skip it because of the cold, but I have to admit I think i’ll do the warmer places first 😀
November 9, 2012 @ 3:16 PM
I hate the cold and I hate that it’s dark so early now! I will make exceptions for places like Iceland that I want to see in winter, but for the most part I think I’ll try not to travel much in winter. Unless it’s to travel somewhere warmer!