While it is dark, cold and wet in Europe, you can easily be sitting in summer somewhere else in the world. December, January and February are the perfect months to go on a road trip outside Europe. While you are dusting off your ice skates here, you are over there driving your campervan, rental car or scooter through green mountains, along deserts or over coastal roads. In this blog, I take you through 5 countries that are perfect to discover during our winter. I myself have been going on holiday in winter for years. Enjoying long summers in Europe and summers outside Europe as well. Pretty ideal, right?
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New Zealand: at its best in summer
No country is as famous for road trips as New Zealand. During our winter it is the middle of summer there. Long days, warm weather, and nature that ranges from fjords to volcanoes.
We ourselves drove a campervan through New Zealand for four weeks in December. An experience never to forget and very strange to experience a country in Christmas spirit while the weather is actually great! Highlights? The Tongariro Alpine Crossing (the most beautiful day hike of my life), the glow worms in Waitomo, the fjord cruise in Milford Sound and of course Mount Cook. It is no coincidence that films such as The Lord of the Rings were shot here.
Do you want to see a sample itinerary and get a better idea of the highlights I mention? Read all about New Zealand.
Australia & Tasmania: wildlife, rainforest, hikes and beaches
Australia is huge, but from December to February you are generally in the right place anywhere in the south. We flew to Tasmania in February for a fantastic road trip around the island. Then we rented a campervan from Adelaide to Sydney. We drove the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, where you drive past spectacular rock formations such as the Twelve Apostles. Hikes, rainforests, beautiful beaches and fantastic cities like Melbourne and Sydney. Australia in our European winter, sounds good, right?
Tasmania is much wilder and more compact. Think of hikes in Cradle Mountain, pink beaches in Freycinet National Park and waterfalls in the middle of rainforest. What I loved: the peace and quiet. Where you see traffic jams of campervans on the Australian east coast, we often had a trail completely to ourselves here.
Want to read more? Read all my blogs about Australia & Tasmania!
South Africa: safaris and coastal routes
Did you know it is summer in South Africa from December to February? Perfect for a road trip. You combine safaris with impressive mountain passes and coastal roads. There is hardly any time difference and the weather is great too!
We drove the Garden Route, among others, and made side trips to the Swartberg Pass, one of the most spectacular mountain roads I have ever driven. Along the way, we visited the Cango Caves, went stargazing in Oudtshoorn and saw giraffes and elephants on safari in the Schotia Game Reserve.
The great thing about South Africa? The roads are good and the variety is huge: from wine regions to wildlife reserves and from beaches to mountains. You can book both organised tours and head out on your own.
Want to read more? Read all my blogs about South Africa!
Oman: desert adventure and wadis
Oman might just be the most surprising winter destination. While it is far too hot in summer, in December–February temperatures are a pleasant 25 to 30 degrees. Ideal for a road trip with a rental car.
We drove from Muscat to the mountains of Jebel Shams, slept in the Wahiba Sands desert and swam in the clear pools of Wadi Shab. The highlight was the goat market in Nizwa: an age-old tradition that is still very much alive.
Indonesia: temples, islands and rice fields
Indonesia is a different story: officially it is rainy season in our winter, but do not let that stop you. Often it is about short, tropical showers and in between the sun just shines. In Bali, because of the huge amount of tourists, in some cases it is even better to go in rainy season than in the busier holiday periods. Especially if you want to travel around a lot.
I myself explored Bali and the surrounding islands. From the temples Pura Besakih and Uluwatu, to the rice fields of Sidemen and snorkelling with manta rays near Nusa Penida. What I like about Indonesia is that with a scooter or (very cheaply) a driver you can easily create your own road trip.
Get inspired by my blog about Bali.
Practical tips for your winter road trip
- Book early: around Christmas and New Year, tickets and accommodation sell out quickly. You often also pay top prices. Can you travel outside peak season? Then you are in luck!
- Check local holidays: in Australia, Australia Day (26 January) is a busy travel day, in Asia Chinese New Year can bring everything to a standstill. It does not have to be a problem, but be aware of it.
- Campervan or car? In New Zealand and Australia, a campervan is popular, in South Africa and Oman you will be more comfortable driving a rental car.
- Think about the climate: Oman is perfect in winter, Indonesia has a chance of rain, but even there you can still see a lot.
While it is cold and wet here in Europe, you might be driving along a coastal road in Australia, past a fjord in New Zealand or through the deserts of Oman. December, January and February are ideal months to go on an adventure outside Europe. The days are wonderfully long, your family and friends are just a bit jealous. Well. I have loved travelling in winter for years now!
Curious for more? Feel free to click through to my separate blogs about these destinations. There I share my personal itineraries, tips and experiences.
