Winter break is one of the most looked-forward-to times of the year to take a family vacation. Not only can it offer a well-deserved respite from the cold, but depending on where you go, it can also be a less crowded time to travel than the saturated summer months.
Travel experts say three clear themes are defining this upcoming winter break: warm-weather getaways where kids can actually swim, alpine retreats with top-notch ski schools, and classic urban escapes in cities that are easier to explore without the overwhelming heat and crowds that come with the summer months.
For sun seekers, destinations like Portugal’s Algarve, the Canary Islands, Morocco, and Egypt’s Red Sea deliver mild temperatures, swimmable water, and a slower pace. Ski families are doubling down on bucket-list destinations that are more typical for the European crowd—think Switzerland, the French Alps, and Slovenia—especially now that several resorts are honoring the US Epic Pass and Ikon Pass, which is a major win for American travelers, notes Mina Agnos, group president and founder of Travelive.
And then there are the traditional cultural capitals like Athens, Rome, Istanbul, and Paris, where you can trade beach chairs or ski lifts for cozy cafés, open piazzas, and a much slower kind of magic.
What’s most exciting for winter break 2025, though, is that many families aren’t following the traditional tendency to choose between sunbathing on a beach and splurging on ski passes. Instead, they’re blending both: skiing first, then flying south to thaw out somewhere warm. Whatever your itinerary looks like, it’s clear that this winter is all about finding the right balance—not just of warm and cold weather, but also between adrenaline and restoration.
Below, seven ideas for winter family vacations based on 2025 trends—and where to stay once you get there.
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Switzerland
This alpine paradise remains the gold standard for families looking to experience snow and relaxation. With trains connecting Zurich and Geneva to world-class resorts like Zermatt and Grindelwald, getting from airport to après is surprisingly smooth (even with ski gear and little ones in tow), says Agnos. The ideal time to travel is December–March when the powder is prime and the crisp days are perfect for skiing, sledding, or scenic train rides through the Alps.
