Traveling in Winter? 10 Tips to Make it Amazing!

“Miracle” an interesting word that’s been used more in the past couple of years than in a very long time, but perhaps now we have a better appreciation of its meaning. Last year this time was the onset of the global “winter of discontent” (okay, winter in the Northern Hemisphere in any event.) The world was a decidedly bleaker looking place, compared to just how much we’ve opened up and are continuing to do so now - nothing short of a miracle. We’ve all had challenges, confronting financial loss, businesses ruined...not a pretty picture.

Dust off your coats and go somewhere cold! (We are from Phoenix, so we don’t need coats ofter at home.)

But that’s not what this post is about. This post is the polar opposite of all of those descriptors; this post is about celebrating the miracle of life and the sheer majesty of this tiny blue dot that we call home. That’s right, we’re about to utter the words that would have seemed impossible and virtually dreamlike this time last year; it’s time to cautiously plan your winter travels.

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer” - Albert Camus.

These words by the French philosopher Albert Camus sum up winter travel for us. The time of year that physically changes the way our environment looks and feels and with that change inspires a change within us too. There are so many beautiful places to visit all over the United States during winter that could include snow-covered peaks and sun-kissed beaches. But in this post, we’re all about finding those moody, introspective type places in America that you and your family will love this winter.

Winter travel is not for the faint of heart. It takes a little extra planning, and if you have, young children you might want to think twice about those lonely cabins in forests and woods, and the same applies if you’re planning on taking your elderly relatives along too. Remember, you’re not just far away from the grocery store, but the hospital too—just something to keep in mind.

Invest Some Time in Planning

You have more than enough time to plan your winter travels in America this year, but as with all things in life, the sooner you start, the better. You’ll want to consider if you’re making a solo trip or taking your whole family since that determines what you’re likely to do or where you end up going.

America has some of the most spectacular parks, mountain ranges, beaches, and more to discover in the winter months. The best part about it is that you’re likely to get a lot more “private” space than what you might have in the busy summer periods, but for your money, one of the unique activities to enjoy in America in winter? Camping.

Road Trip Close to Home

We know that for many of us, finances have taken a significant battering over the past year, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to go anywhere this winter; a road trip along some of the most iconic roads on the planet exists right here in America.

Safety First (but also Comfort!)

Traveling in the United States during winter offers adventure, gorgeous landscapes, breathtaking snowy mountains, and endless roads through the country’s heartland. But you do need to take some extra care when hitting the road this winter, and if you’re planning on it, here’s our top 10 safety tips:

Check your car defroster as well as wiper blades, lights, batteries, and your brakes. It’s a great time to get your vehicle into the shop for a tune-up.
If you’re planning on hitting those snowy roads, skill up with some snow driving lessons, and obviously, you’re going to want the right kind of tires too.
Make sure you have “snow chains” and check your tire pressure.
Knowledge is power, so make sure that you’ve researched your intended trip thoroughly and that you’ve posted your itinerary to your loved ones so that they know where you are heading as well.
Ensure that all of your devices are fully charged and that you have spare power packs and that these are readily available and fully charged themselves.
Check your anti-freeze and de-icer, and make sure that you have enough of all of those fluids to replace them as and when necessary.
All sorts of winter conditions can cause your windscreen to fog up or attract dirt that can affect visibility, so make sure that you have enough anti-fogger for the inside of your windshield and water repellant for the outside.
Check the weather and road conditions right before you hit the road. If anything looks questionable, keep checking on it throughout the drive. If in doubt, don’t go out!
Keep your gas tank full and if you’re traveling to outlying regions in 4 x 4 vehicles, keep additional fuel appropriately and safely stored on the roof of your car.
Keep a winter road trip safety kit and make sure it’s adequately stocked at all times.

Tips for Traveling Through Airports This Winter

If you’re going to be using any of our nation’s airports this winter, then you’ll need to pack a bit of extra patience. to take along with you. Severe weather delays, unexpected curtailments caused by ever-changing Covid regulations, airlines that oversell flights, and unruly fellow passengers can all contribute to an unpleasant experience.

So take some time to plan your route from door to door, and this includes setting up an emergency fund for unplanned hotel stays if your flight is canceled, and don’t be that guy that yells at airline staff. They’re just doing their jobs, and you’re more than likely going to be making something of a fool of yourself in front of other passengers, to the one person who can’t do anything about the weather.

Plus, when you are kind to people, they are more likely to be willing to help you. Set a good example for your kids and treat everyone with more kindness than you may feel that they deserve.

We do have it all, from our world-class cities like New York City attracting millions of tourists over the Christmas and New Year’s Eve season to the world-famous skiing in Utah.

But if you’re feeling the need to travel abroad, you’ll find all the best reasons we’ve spoken about here and more besides motivation to visit Turkey, which is again (slowly) attracting visitors from the west.

Wherever you get to go this winter, safe travels!