Beat the January Blues with an Awe-inspiring Holiday
Don't let your spirits be dampened by the weather. Instead of layering up to pop down to the shop and dodging the winter rain, drop the brolly, grab your suitcase and join us on a holiday in the winter sun.
As winter lumbers on, it's easy to forget that not everywhere experiences the bleak winters the UK is infamous for. Short-haul sunshine may be rarer in Europe at this time of year, but don't forget there are plenty of far-flung options seen in their best light from January to March. Whether it's an off-the-beaten-track adventure, a tropical beach stay or an epic once-in-a-lifetime experience - that's your choice - but we know you'll find what you're looking for with Riviera Travel.
However, our winter holidays do more than just top up your tan. Our team of experts pack them full of panoramic views, brilliant colours in the skies and remarkable human accomplishments, like great works of architecture, art and music - in short, they're awe-inspiring. Combining these incredible sights with the warmer, balmy climates of our worldwide destinations this winter is the perfect recipe for a happier, healthier and more humble you and here's why...
Science-backed reasons to choose an awe-inspiring destination
1. Awe-inspiring locations may improve your mood
If the stress of hosting another family Christmas has left you feeling drained, experiencing awe could be the antidote. Studies show that just watching awe-inducing slideshows can improve your mood, so imagine the serotonin boost from actually standing in front of the Taj Mahal. In a few weeks, you could be watching the morning mist dissipate as the warm breeze lifts away the bone-deep chill of the UK weather on our holidays to India. The weather India in from January to March is pleasantly warm, with cities like Agra, Delhi and Rajasthan heating up to 20 to 28°C.
2. Awe-inspiring locations may be good for your health
Further research suggested people who experience more awe had lower levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a marker of inflammation (too much inflammation can lead to a host of chronic diseases). So why not try to pack as much awe into one trip as possible and reap the benefits?
Our team of experts pack breathtaking sights and interesting locations into every holiday but if you asked us to pick our favourite holidays for awe-inspiring moments, you can't go wrong with Kenya. The star-studded savannahs are a wildlife paradise, you're almost guaranteed some awe-inspiring moments spotting the 'big five' roaming some of the country's incredible National Parks and Game Reserves - perhaps you'll see a lioness feeding her cubs or a leopard sleeping in the shade of an acacia tree, elephants parading across the landscape or flocks of birds taking flight from the water's edge.
If animals aren't your thing, how about ancient temples and impressive natural landscapes? You can find all this and more on holidays to Vietnam and Cambodia. Vietnam's Ha Long Bay is considered to be one of the most awe-inspiring destinations in the world, with thousands of towering limestone karst islands and outcrops. On many of our Vietnam tours, we take cruises across its emerald-green waters to fully experience its beauty. Another incredible sight from this holiday, in the Cambodian region of Siem Reap, is the UNESCO-protected Angkor Wat, one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. Surrounded by forests, nature is slowly reclaiming its land as strangler fig trees and creeping lichens devour the intricately carved, ancient stone city that stretches skyward.
3. Awe-inspiring destinations can sharpen the mind
Some studies also suggest that awe can sharpen your mind (and, let's face it, we could all do with a little brain training). One study found that people who felt awe were less likely to be persuaded by weak arguments and people with a greater disposition for awe also had a more accurate understanding of the nature of science. So while you're standing at the base of the Great Pyramid of Giza wondering how they could possibly have been made by human hands, you're also helping your brains stay active and alert.
4. Awe-inspiring destinations can make you feel small and humble
Multiple studies report that one of the most profound effects of awe is that it can make us feel small, diminished or insignificant. One interesting study spoke to visitors to Yosemite National Park and Fisherman's Wharf (San Francisco) and found that visitors to Yosemite actually drew themselves 33% smaller than tourists in Fisherman's Wharf. Guests on our tour of California and the Golden West can test this theory for themselves as we visit both locations!
However, to be truly humbled by a landscape, it's hard to beat the mighty mountains of New Zealand's Southern Alps or the sights travelling through Arthurs Pass. The grandeur of this vast and austere mountain and river landscape has instilled awe in everyone who gazes upon them, from the first Māori explorers to modern escapees from city life.
5. Awe-inspiring destinations can make you feel like you have more time
Amidst the rose-coloured rock of Petra, time seems to stand still. Not only because the remains are quite well-preserved - thanks to being all-but-forgotten until the release of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) - but also because awe expands our perception of time. So, as you stand in front of the facade of the Treasury on a visit to the incredible remnants of the Nabataean empire, you might feel that nagging worry that there's never enough time just lift away.
From the giant tortoise and volcanic landscapes of the Galapagos islands to the towering volcanic cone of Japan’s famous Mount Fuji, we have plenty of awe-inspiring destinations on offer to cure your January Blues. Find your next winter holiday or winter river cruise.
