My gosh, if there was ever a time for a good adventure – that time is right now. We’ve all had the year that was, and so many of us have had terrible times of it. The picture wasn’t pretty, from suffering isolation syndrome to mental health issues exacerbated by extended periods of separation.

But that’s all done now! It’s time for winter adventures.

We’re finally out of lockdown, vaccination rates are high, and the uptake has been phenomenal all over the United Kingdom. Countries like South Africa are off the red list, so to escape the chill of Britain for the sun-kissed beaches of Cape Town is back on the menu, and even across the continent, there are so many beautiful countries that are once again welcoming tourists from all over.

The world is reconnecting, and we couldn’t be happier! So let’s look at some of the adventure holidays that are on hand for the whole family and the kids.

SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS THIS WINTER

If you’re a European and you have not yet made the trip to the Nordic countries to stake your chance at seeing the Northern Lights – then you’re missing out big time. This remains one of the singular most impressive elements of nature that anyone can experience. You won’t know what true solace and “introspection” feel like until you’ve experienced the aurora borealis. 

Various travel companies offer packages, so get to it booking your winter adventures.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AND TOURING

Some of the best of the best are offered in Canada (when you can eventually travel there again sometime in the next 50 years perhaps), but for the type of cross country skiing that will leave you breathless and not just because of the physical exertion, head to Quebec. Here you’ll enjoy the added benefit of getting to explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

SOME ACTION FOR THE KIDS

When it’s time to get the kids some independence and offer them an experience of a lifetime, why not get them out on one of many school ski trips. They’re supervised, and with children of their ages, trainers teach them the ropes and supervise their attempts at skiing. When it comes to memory-making, this is going to be hard to top. 

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

Yes, it is going to be cold. Yes, there will be snow – lots of it, and yes, you’re going to have to get used to some surly Russians that don’t seem to make much sense to Westerners, but every single one of those points is reason alone to visit St. Petersburg in the winter. The Hermitage museum looks absolutely spectacular with its covering of snow. As the river freezes over, ice-skating past the winter palace and the home of the Tsars of pre-revolution Russia is quite something.

It’s time to get out there, explore the world again, and try staying away from the big branded hotels and lodges favouring independently owned businesses – they’re in desperate need.  Be safe, have fun and then tell us all about it!