It’s cold outside, there are 56 unread emails in our inbox and summer seems ages away – let’s do some holiday dreaming.
At this time of year, we still have the winter blues. Where is the sun? So what better way to cheer ourselves up than spend 15 minutes daydreaming about exotic locations?
Whether you’re planning your summer holiday or just want a break from your boss, take a look at the places on our travel wishlist…
Copenhagen, Denmark
We all know Denmark is home to minimalist coffee shops, stylish homeware shops and extremely beautiful people, but it’s also packed with culture, architecture and nature. It’s spotlessly clean, you can explore the city by bike and everyone is super-friendly – what’s not to love?
Must visit: Frederiksborg Palace, a breath-taking palace set on an island in the middle of a lake, about 40 minutes north of Copenhagen.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal doesn’t seem like the most obvious choice for a chic city break, but Lisbon is an undiscovered gem. Unlike its Spanish neighbours Barcelona and Palma, Lisbon hasn’t become a tourist trap just yet, which means one thing – it’s cheap. Everything from getting there to eating out is seriously budget-friendly, but it’s still a beautiful city with lots to see and do. Win win!
Must visit: Time Out Mercado da Ribeira, a market hall that’s been transformed into a huge foodie space that brings the best local restaurants under one roof.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Philadelphia might not appear on your US travel wishlist (hello, New York City), but it really should. Lonely Planet have named it their number 1 place to visit in America and there’s loads going on this year – it’s the 40th anniversary of the original Rocky film and the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts starts in April.
Must visit: The Philadelphia Museum of Art – for the culture, of course, but also for the 72 stones steps at the front, on which you can recreate that iconic Rocky scene.
Santorini, Greece
With its white-washed cliffs, deep blue sea and incredible sunsets, Santorini is possibly the most romantic place in Europe. But even if you’re not loved up, it’s a brilliant place to visit – enjoy fresh Greek food, take a boat trip from the harbour and watch that golden sun slip into the sea from your own private hot tub. The. Dream.
Must visit: Head to Oia Castle for the sunset – it’s widely known as the best place to catch those final rays.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If there’s a perfect time to visit Rio, it’s now – the city is in full-on festival mode as it gears up to host the 2016 Olympics this summer. If you’re not too fussed about the sports, visit now and enjoy that carnival atmosphere before the prices rocket.
Must visit: It has to be Christ the Redeemer – when you see it up close, you’ll soon realise why this iconic statue is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Plus, the views of the city below are outstanding.
