Winter Wanderlust is Coming: Budget-Savvy Tips & Hot Travel Deals
Get inspired and plan your ideal winter escape with booking tips, money-saving strategies, and the best current travel deals.
Winter is coming, and while that might make some people want to hibernate, for us travel lovers, it just means it’s time to start planning our next adventures!
Last winter, Trevor and I swapped snowboots for flip-flops in Nicaragua, using a cozy house as our tropical home base. It was amazing, but life’s a bit busier this year, so we’re switching gears and looking for more flexible adventures instead.
So, what's the plan now?
I’m working on it… and if you are, too, I hope you find this next bit helpful. Let’s talk a few travel tips, and then we’ll get into how to make those travel dreams a reality without draining your wallet.
1. Book early, but stay flexible
Flights and accommodations can skyrocket during winter holidays, so it pays to lock things in early. But make sure you’re booking something with a flexible cancellation policy, just in case plans change.
My general rule of thumb is never to buy a non-refundable ticket unless it’s such a great deal I would be okay with the worst case scenario of losing the ticket. For example, I scored non-refundable tickets to Iceland a few years back for less than $200 each. It would have sucked if the flight had been cancelled, but I could have eaten that loss.
Before buying a ticket, ask yourself: Could I handle losing this? I always buy travel insurance with World Nomads, but even that doesn’t cover everything. If the cost of replacing the ticket would ruin your entire trip or worse, prevent you from going, pay extra for better rebooking and refund conditions.
2. Look beyond the usual suspects
Instead of following the crowds to winter hotspots, why not explore underrated gems? European cities like Prague or Budapest sparkle in the winter with fewer tourists and. I did Lisbon last December and the Christmas markets were straight up magical. Airfare to Europe tends to drop after the holiday rush, so you can explore these cultural gems without battling the summer crowds.
Or, head to the American Southwest or Morocco for sun-soaked hikes and starry desert nights. Places like Sedona, Arizona, or the Sahara Desert offer stunning landscapes, unique hikes, and a sense of serenity that’s hard to find in peak season.
3. Consider starting out in a hostel, even if it’s not your style
If you're traveling solo this winter, especially to a new location, don’t rule out staying in a hostel for your first few days—even if it’s not your usual travel vibe. Hostels are more than just budget-friendly accommodations; they’re great social hubs.
I’ve found that hostels often have bars, cafés, or coworking spaces where you can meet fellow travelers, exchange tips, and maybe even team up for an adventure or two.

For example, I kicked off my December 2017 trip at Hi-Tide Surf House in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. There, I met another solo traveler who was cycling around the island. We hit it off and decided to share an Airbnb at the bottom of the island for a few days—she went off on her bike, I explored the Maspalomas Dunes, and we reconnected for some beach and mountain hikes. It was the perfect little interlude of company during an otherwise solo journey.
Hostels also tend to offer fantastic tours or experiences, like walking tours or local excursions, which can give you a good lay of the land. I like to see what hostels offer and compare with Viator’s tour options for the best pricing.
Plus, by not pre-booking every single leg of your trip, you leave space for these spontaneous connections and opportunities. You never know where they’ll lead!
Disclosure: Midlife Nomads often refers and links to websites, apps, and products/services I actually use. Sometimes, I receive compensation if readers sign up or make a purchase. A girl’s gotta eat – and travel!
Current Deals & Offers for Nomads or Solo Travelers
Looking for inspiration for your next trip? Here are some fun and $$$-saving offers to get your planning started.
P.S. If these offers are outdated, it means you’ve likely found this post in search or on social. Subscribing is the best way to get my new posts and the most current info delivered right to your inbox!
P.S.S. Yes, you can always find last minute all-inclusive deals. You won’t find those here, because we’re not about that resort life. We’re talking venturing out on your own, living like a local, truly experiencing the place – whether that means arranging it all yourself or traveling with a nomad group that facilitates some of the logistics.
Peru is on sale with LATAM Airlines
LATAM is currently offering round-trip flights to Peru for $419 USD and up. I’ve flown LATAM to Argentina and Ecuador and while it’s not the most luxurious airline, mine were not terrible experiences. Pack a few snacks and take a reusable water bottle in case the in-flight service is lacking. Load up your phone or tablet with your own entertainment, and you’re good to go.
I checked flights out of Toronto for Canadian readers, and you can do a week in Peru for under $530 USD (about $725 CDN) return in late November 2024. Check it out:
Get $200 off your first Hacker Paradise adventure
When I joined Hacker Paradise for the first time to go to Prague, I wasn’t sure what to expect—would traveling with a group feel too restrictive? But it was a total gamechanger. Everything from coworking space to SIM cards was sorted, leaving me free to explore.
By the second night, I was at a hidden wine bar with fellow nomads, swapping stories like old friends. The community, flexibility, and hassle-free logistics made HP one of the best group travel experiences I’ve had, so much that I spent a month with them in Cape Town and am planning another HP adventure for next year. Right now, you can save $200 off your first trip—and trust me, the real value is in the connections you’ll make.
Use Aer Lingus to get to Europe
Getting from North America to any point in Europe is the expensive part. Once there, you can fly on regional airlines at much more affordable rates. Of course, you need to leave plenty of time between flights as you’re switching airlines and a delay on the first one doesn’t mean the second owes you anything.
Still, I’m constantly checking out Toronto > London, Paris, Frankfurt, etc. to see who has the best deals on transatlantic flights. Right now, Aer Lingus has a lot of great economy options.
You could do two weeks from November 24 to December 8, for example, for under $250 Canadian! If the thought of carry-on only gives you hives, don’t worry – for less than $100 more, you get a checked bag, advance seat selection, and eligibility for a refund voucher. (I’m more likely to roll the dice on the $239.97 flight myself, but to each their own.)
Find tropical deals out of accessible airports
Now, just as I’ll check all sorts of Europe-side destinations to get me there, I often check flights out of airports it’s easy for me to get to, depending on the destination. For example, it’s easy and cheap for me to get to New York City (usually under $200). If I can save $500+ on a flight out of NYC vs Toronto, it’s worth it for me to get myself to NYC for that flight.
Want to spend the holidays somewhere tropical? Jetblue has great prices on economy flights from JFK airport in New York to Antigua & Barbuda from December 31 to January 8.
The mid-range ticket, which they call ‘Blue,’ includes seat selection and a carry-on. It’s non-refundable but waives change or cancellation fees. You can depart early morning on New Year’s Eve to arrive in Antigua at lunchtime and ring in 2025 on a white sand beach for less than a $400 USD plane ticket.
Get a Free Rail&Fly Ticket for Flying Condor to Germany
Condor offers cheap flights between North America and Europe, and are running a promotion for bookings made by October 14 that gives you a free Rail&Fly ticket. I’ve flown Condor before—they’re budget but efficient. The Rail&Fly ticket is a nice bonus if you’re exploring beyond the big cities.
Your trip must be between November 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. The Rail&Fly ticket gives you a free rail ticket for onward destinations in Germany. Value: EUR 59.99 per person per journey in First Class and EUR 34.99 per person per journey in Second Class.
Whether you're chasing sun or snow this winter, there's always something new to discover—no matter where your plans take you.
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