Post-New Year’s Day January travel plans are ALWAYS a good idea.  Prices have dropped, lines are shorter, and deals are abundant. Not to mention, more travel is a pretty standard resolution for many people, so why not get started ASAP?  Depending on where you live, you are probably looking for a change in climate. In other words, if you live in Denver, you most likely aren’t looking to go somewhere snowy.  Wendyperrin.com compiled the following list and we couldn’t agree more- these are some of the very best destinations for the month of January no matter what you have in mind for a vacay.  Click here for the full list.

1.    Rocky Mountains

Yes, you can plan a casual expedition over organic burgers but these lands are far from tamed. Vast mountain ranges remain unscarred by roads or summer homes, largely thanks to the USA’s brilliant public lands system.  This is America’s playground, where there’s still plenty of wild places to be wild in. Walk in solitude amongst aspens and pines. Open yourself to the serenity of a clear mountain lake. Push past boundaries as you summit a mountain. Take in breathtaking views as far as the eye can see. Watch spectacular sunrises over rocky mountain peaks.  Connect with nature doing a variety of activities: mountain climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, and hiking to breathtaking views of jagged peaks, glaciers, and high-mountain lakes. A visit to the Rockies is sure to reset you for a wonderful 2019. Try the conveniently located Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort.  The property also includes several restaurants, a hair salon, spa, indoor swimming pool and athletic center. Guests are also encouraged to borrow their complimentary bikes, sporting equipment, board games and beach toys for added enjoyment.

2.    Costa Rica

The perfect place to enjoy lovely tropical beaches, grand adventures, the wonders of nature, and unique culture; all the necessary components of an ideal vacation. No wonder thousands have made Costa Rica their top travel choice!  Costa Rica extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, and its distance is just at 200 miles. La Amistad International Park (PILA) is not only the largest natural park in Costa Rica but also the only bi-national park, created by the governments of Costa Rica and Panama in 1982. It could explain the name La Amistad, which means friendship in Spanish. The total portion of protected land in both countries covers a great variety of humid, rain and cloud forests in the Pacific and Atlantic sides, as well as indigenous towns. The isolation of the region, thanks to the difficult geographical conditions, has allowed  enormous cultural richness and extraordinary natural habitats. Species in great danger of extinction such as the jaguar live in the park as well as a great variety of wildlife including 400 species of birds, 263 species of amphibians and reptiles and 213 of mammals. Many other species are found only in this giant rainforest. Experience the Four Seasons Costa Rica as your launching pad into boundless adventures. After a day of zip lining, surfing or hiking a volcano, return to our tropical retreat for farm- and -sea-to-table dining, refreshing swims or relaxing spa treatments. With customized itineraries for families and couples alike, experience “pura vida” at Peninsula Papagayo.

3.    Florence, Italy

Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany. It is the most populous city in Tuscany and considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, and has been called “the Athens of the Middle Ages.”  The city attracts millions of tourists each year and is popular for its culture, Renaissance art and architecture and monuments. The city also contains numerous museums and art galleries, such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Pitti.  If your jam is art and architecture, this is the place for you-  it has been ranked by Forbes as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  Fashion your passion? Florence is the leader in Italian fashion and is ranked in the top 15 fashion capitals of the world.  Right in the middle of a park is the wonderful Hotel Villa Betania.  It is well quiet and private and an ideal site for those who prefer to relax in an elegant, calm atmosphere, yet it is walking distance to many of the top attractions  It has only 20 rooms and is family managed.

4.    Nicaragua

The country has three regions which vary greatly in weather, geography, and population. These three areas are the Pacific Region, Central Region, and the Caribbean Region.  Visitors to Nicaragua are able to enjoy the natural beauty of dozens of volcanoes, rivers, and lakes, as well as two oceans. Nicaragua is an ideal place to visit for anyone looking for something uniquely different and adventurous.  Nicaragua’s nickname is “The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes” and it’s easy to see why: it’s dotted with bodies of water and volcanoes that you are able to experience in a variety of different ways: by foot, boat, air, even riding animals like donkeys and horses.  The options are as endless as Nicaragua is beautiful. Retreat to nature, the jungle, and the beach at Costa Dulce Eco-Resort and Retreat Center. Costa Dulce has become one of the premier wellness centers in Central America.  It consists of eleven individual Bungalows, two yoga shalas, sea turtle hatchery, spa, surf school, food garden, and a restaurant.

For more amazing destinations, click here.