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Where to go in January: Seven destinations for a new year escape
Winter sun, city breaks and new openings - here's where to travel this January
January hits differently when you know where to go. The festive crowds have gone home, prices drop and there's new-year optimism in the air.
Whether you're craving winter sun on pristine beaches, something cultural in a stories city, or simply an excuse to disappear into luxury, these destinations offer the perfect remedy to post-holiday blues.
From Rome's timeless appeal during Jubilee year to Mauritius' turquoise waters and Saudi Arabia's dramatic desert hospitality, here's where to set your compass this January.
Rome: for eternal elegance in the heart of history
January in Rome is a time to experience the Eternal City without the eternal queues. Cooler temperatures prove ideal for exploring the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Trevi Fountain. Winter sales, world-class opera performances and the seasonal light make even a simple espresso feel cinematic.
Located just steps from the Trevi Fountain, Palazzo Talìa occupies a meticulously restored 16th-century palazzo transformed by director Luca Guadagnino's design studio. The subterranean spa features a 33-metre relaxation pool, while Tramae restaurant serves Italian cuisine using ingredients from the hotel's connected farms.
Mauritius: for Indian Ocean glamour
January places Mauritius in summer's embrace, with temperatures around 30C and legendary lagoons glowing turquoise beneath cloudless skies. The east coast's beaches are particularly tranquil, with calm seas perfect for snorkelling. For cultural days, there's Port Louis' markets and Pamplemousses' botanical gardens. This is the island at its most seductive.
Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita reopened in November 2025 after a seven-month transformation by London-based design studio 1508 London, featuring villas and residences with private gardens and pools set between the lagoon and Bambou Mountains. Every stay includes complimentary rounds at the Ernie Els-designed Anahita Golf Club or Bernhard Langer's Île aux Cerfs course.
Marrakech: for an excotic escape without the long-haul flight
January gifts Marrakech with temperate weather - crisp mornings warming to pleasant afternoons, ideal for exploring the medina's souks without summer heat. The city's gardens flourish in winter light, while the snow-capped Atlas Mountains provide dramatic backdrops. Vibrant textiles, the call to prayer across rooftops and slow dinners beneath the stars complete the experience.
Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is spread across 20 hectares of olive groves with Atlas Mountain views. The 54 villas and 9 suites all feature private heated pools within walled gardens. Dining spans Michelin-starred Chef Akrame Benallal's SHIRVAN to Ling Ling by Hakkasan. With heated pools and access to two premier golf clubs, this is the winter break perfected.
Tulum: for bohemian barefoot luxury
January finds Tulum in its prime - dry season established, mid-20s temperatures and impossibly turquoise Caribbean waters. Ancient Mayan ruins perch on clifftops above powder-soft beaches, while cenote swimming and excellent dining complete the picture. January also marks peak sea turtle nesting season along these protected shores.
Hotel Esencia, located 30 minutes north of Tulum in secluded Xpu-Ha bay, is a 50-acre sanctuary. Spacious suites and villas feature private terraces overlooking jungle or sea. Three dining venues include innovative Thai at Saffron, the spa uses coconut and aloe from the property's gardens, and staff alert you to sea turtle hatchlings on the white-sand beach.
Sydney: for summer in the harbour city
January means Sydney summer in full swing - temperatures in the high 20s, sparkling harbour and outdoor dining culture at its peak. Festival season brings open-air concerts and food markets, while proximity to the Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains encourages easy escapes. Early morning ocean swims, harbourside brunches and sunset drinks characterise the season.
Capella Sydney, set within the heritage-listed former Department of Education building houses rooms and suites with Edwardian Baroque details, custom Frette linens and curated art. Level six is home to Auriga Spa with two pools - one for laps with Baroque detailing, one bubbling vitality pool - while Brasserie 1930, McRae Bar and Aperture courtyard bar complete the offering.
Koh Samui: for Thai island bliss
January is the time to travel for Koh Samui's finest weather - dry, sunny days around 28C and calm seas perfect for island-hopping. The southeastern coast maintains intimacy while jungle-clad hills cascade to pristine bays. The island's Big Buddha temple, hidden waterfalls and thriving culinary scene provide escapes beyond the beach.
Banyan Tree Samui comprises 88 individual pool villas perched above Lamai Bay, each with private infinity pools overlooking the Gulf of Thailand or tropical greenery, plus dedicated Villa Hosts for personalised service. The spa housed in traditional Thai pavilions includes The Rainforest hydrotherapy experience.
Saudi Arabia: for desert drama on the Red Sea Coast
Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast is the Middle East's most ambitious tourism project, and January is when it actually makes sense to visit, before the desert heat becomes unbearable. The region, 310 miles north of Jeddah, has dramatic mountain landscapes and untouched coral reefs. January's cooler weather makes desert exploration and outdoor activities appealing.
Desert Rock, designed by Oppenheim Architecture and opened in early 2025, comprises 54 villas and 10 suites built into the Hejaz Mountains' rocky massif, with accommodations hanging from rock pinnacles or carved into cave formations, all featuring private temperature-controlled pools. Five dining venues include Nyra helmed by Michelin-starred Turkish chef Osman Sezener focusing on wood-fire cooking, plus Mica, Basalt, Wadi, and The Observatory at the resort's highest point.