What a Trip! (draft1)

WHAT A TRIP!
NOVEMBER 2020 WINTER EDITION

“THE COLDER, THE BADDER”
Travelling in Finland take a lot of
guts but some take it as a pleasure

WINTER IN JUNE :
How Australians do it

TIPS AND
TRICKS
DURING
WINTER
HOLIDAY
“Do you dare?”

HODOPHILE PUBLICATION

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EDITORIAL’S
NOTE

CONTENTS PAGE



The cold never bothered them
anyway

While many avoid cold places and visit other warm countries for
their holidays, some choose to dip their toes in the cold white

snow and soak in the dim shy sunlight.

TEXT: LARRY RIVERA
IMAGE: UIG/GETTY IMAGES

While we often associate winter with
grey skies and early nights, travelling in
winter can mean seeing a different type
of winter: not a cloud in sight, even when
the temperature plummets. Enjoying the
wintry landscape means you get some
very Insta-worthy photos of scenery that
isn’t available year-round. When else
can you see snow-capped mountains,
lakes frozen solid and rooftops dusted
with snow?

In places like When the weather outside gets a little
Iceland, the too frightful, don’t feel like you have to
winter sun force yourself to go out or else be con-
doesn’t rise fined to your hostel common room. There
very high over are plenty of indoor activities on offer in
the horizon, places prone to heavy sleet and snow.
meaning you
get a soft glow Museums are a great indoor activity. If
for most of the you’re interested in the culture or history
day. of a place, try to find a historical museum
– these can provide context for the things
Venturing into the Great Outdoors in the you’re seeing as a tourist. But if you
middle of winter is an unrivalled experi- want to look at something more modern,
ence. Snow sports are some of the best there’s plenty of options. Browse the
adrenaline sources, so you need to hit websites beforehand to see if any exhibi-
the piste when it’s at its best. Seek dry tions tickle your fancy, and keep in mind
powder in Japan, Canada or New Zea- any specials – for example, Hong Kong
land, or cross-country trails in the US, museums are free every Wednesday.
Finland or Switzerland.
Shopping also helps you avoid blizzard-y
Or, if you really want to test your toler- days. Even if you’re a bit low on funds,
ance, you can even get a jet boat from browsing the shops in a new place can
the airport in Queenstown, New Zealand. be a cultural experience in itself. Spend
some time people watching, seeing new
trends, checking out the prices and com-
paring it all to back home.

Geothermal wonders like hot springs are
often open year-round, but will probably
do you the most good after a day on the
slopes. Iceland, Budapest, Istanbul, Ja-
pan and New Zealand all have excellent
sources of warm groundwater from the
depths of the earth.

And, even if you’re not an outdoorsy
person, how great is a brisk walk in
sparkling winter scenery, with the snow
crunching beneath your boots? You just
can’t beat that.

Shopping also helps you avoid blizzard-y
days. Even if you’re a bit low on funds,
browsing the shops in a new place can
be a cultural experience in itself. Spend
some time people watching, seeing new
trends, checking out the prices and com-
paring it all to back home.

Speaking of, a wintry festive season is
a real gem for Aussies who we grew up
with carols like ‘Winter Wonderland’ and
‘Let It Snow’, but missed out on the real
deal. Now it’s time to cash in on that
White Christmas.

But if Christmas isn’t really your thing,
there are plenty of other festivals hap-
pening in winter around the globe. Snow
Festivals in Sapporo, Japan, and Har-
bin, China, showcase intricate works of
art made from snow and ice. Chinese
New Year also takes place in the colder
months of north Asian countries, and is
bigger than Christmas. Matariki is like a
New Zealand equivalent to Thanksgiving,
taking place in late May or early June.

Sub-zero temperatures tend to deter
most tourists, resulting in that whole
“low season” thing winter is known for.
However, this works in your favour when
travelling in the colder months, as you’ll
spend less on flights and accommoda-
tion. (Keep in mind travel can get a little
expensive around Christmas if you plan
on travelling then.)

By travelling in winter, you avoid the
peak-season tourist glut and enjoy hav-
ing sights and streets to yourself. You’ll
have first dibs on all the best food and
you won’t have to deal with other people
photo-bombing you while you work on
getting the perfect shot of that glacier/
fjord/snow-covered city.



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HOKKAIDO

A large number of tourists visit Japan during
the winter months (from December to March)
for snow activities, mainly ski and snowboard.
The most popular area is Hokkaido as there are
several great ski resorts with fine quality powder
.snow

JOYFUL WINTER

IN JAPAN!

Are you planning to visit Japan in winter? During winter in
Japan, there are many things that you can only experience in
this time of the year. From winter illuminations to bathing
monkeys, here are the best places to visit and things to do
in Japan in winter!

SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL

The greatest winter festival in Japan,
Sapporo Snow Festival is scheduled to be
held from 31 January to 11 February in
2021. The event features spectacular snow
and ice sculptures, and attracts over 2
million visitors.

JIGOKUDANI MONKEY
PARK

One of most unique and famous winter sights of
Japan, bathing snow monkeys can be found at

Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture.
The monkeys inhabit in this park and can be seen
all year round, but most people visit there during

.winter when snow covers the sites

EARLY VIEWING OF CHERRY BLOSSOM

Don’t wait till spring to see cherry blossoms! First cherry blossoms of the year can be
seen at Kawazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture in early February as the city is known for
early blooming cherry trees, Kawazu Sakura. Also these cherry trees bloom longer

than other cherry trees and lasts for about a month!





Hopping in for The Central Australian Regions tend to
winter in the Land stay relatively warm with temperatures
ranging from 18-24°C range. When ex
ploring Australia in winter, be sure to
wear a jacket and scarf to deal with the
breeze.

Down Under With southernmost continental areas
hitting an average of 12-18°C, Australia
What to expect when you is more than bearable in most regions,
explore winter in June although you may need a few layers and
a beanie to see you through the cooler
nights.

TEXT: LARRY RIVERA The more mountainous areas can drop
IMAGE: UIG/GETTY IMAGES to as low as 6°C. Note that these tem-
perature ranges are based on averages
Winter in Australia is arguably one of and actual temperatures may be higher
the most pleasant of winters you’ll expe- or lower on a day-to-day basis.
rience in the world. With temperatures
rarely dropping into minus numbers,
you’re bound to have a good time!

In Australia, winter begins at the start of
June and finishes at the end of August.

Winter Weather

In the winter season, cooler tempera-
tures are forecast all across the nation.
Though snow is uncommon amongst
the majority of Australia, snowfall can be
found within some select locations.

Snowfall occurs within the mountainous
terrains of NSW’s Snowy Mountains,
Victoria’s Alpine Region, and the moun-
tainous parts of Tasmania. Within the
northern tropics of Australia, the weather
rarely drops below 24°C. Though most
other areas rarely catch a glimpse of the
snow, Australian weather can have quite
a few dramatic drops during the day so
be sure to always keep some extra lay-
ers with you in winter.

Rainfall During Winter in Australia n the Snowy Mountains, the two main ski

Rainfall is generally quite low during resort areas are Thredbo and Perisher

a typical Australian winter, although Valley, which are close to each other. If

millimeters do peak within Tasmania. coming from the north, the road trip to

Rainfall measurements average to an Thredbo and Perisher Valley starts at

approximate of 14mm in the Northern Cooma on the Monaro Highway Highway

Territory, which is in the middle of its dry south of Canberra. Head west on the

season, to 98mm in New South Wales Snowy Mountains Highway, making sure

and 180mm in Victoria. The average to take the turn to Jindabyne Rd and

rainfall for Australia in 2016 was just over Alpine Way.

49.9mm.

On the northern side of Mt Kosciuszko,

Winter Skiing the family-friendly Selwyn Snowfields are

Australia’s winters are perfect for any- located. For Selwyn Snowfields, continue

body itching to take on the mountain along the Snowy Mountains Highway in

slopes. With terrain perfect for trekking a generally northwesterly direction past

up the mountain slopes and enjoying the town of Adaminaby. From the south,

snow activities, Australia’s winter is sure it’s the Princes Highway, Monaro High-

to be memorable. The most popular way and Snowy Mountains Highway to

activities for winter include both skiing Cooma. From the east, it’s the Snowy

and snowboarding. By trekking it to the Mountains Highway to Cooma from

Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, just north of the town of Bega between

Victoria’s high country or the mountains Narooma and Eden on the New South

of Tasmania you’re bound to have a won- Wales coast. A northerly route from the

derful time. coast is from Batemans Bay through

Kings Highway, then south on the Mona-

ro Highway.

Thredbo and Perisher Valley are full-
blown ski resorts with accommodation in
the resorts themselves or in nearby Jind-
abyne. There isn’t any accommodation
at Selwyn Snowfields. Though skiers can
find a place to stay at Adaminaby, which
is about 45 kilometers away.

In Victoria, ski slopes are actually much
closer to Melbourne when compared to
New South Wales’ situation. The main
resorts are Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt
Buller, and Mt Buffalo. Tasmania has ski
slopes at Ben Lomond, Mt Field, and
Cradle Mountain National Parks.

HELSINKI

F The temperature in Helsinki is current-
ly hovering just above zero, but is set to
inland is a Northern European drop to as low as -8C next week, with
nation bordering Sweden, Norway clouds and drizzle to boot. Finland’s winter
and Russia. Its capital, Helsinki, oc- sometimes sees the mercury fall to -50C.

cupies a peninsula and surrounding The banner, credit for which is due
islands in the Baltic Sea. Helsinki is to the city’s tourist board and a two-
home to the 18th-century sea for- day start-up festival called Slush.

tress Suomenlinna, the fashionable

Design District and diverse muse- Images of the sign, which was put in

ums. The Northern Lights can be place to welcome attendees to the

seen from the country’s Arctic Lap- Slush event, have gone viral, with in-

land province, a vast wilderness ternet users praising the ingenuity and
with national parks and ski resorts honesty of the slogan. One user de-

scribed the humour as “very Finnish”.

Finnish Lapland is an incredibly
beautiful place where nature has
been kept unspoiled thanks to the
rough conditions. Only brave travel-
ers make it up above the Arctic Circle!

HUSKY RIDING is one of Traditional
the best Lapland winter ac- Finnish winter
tivities is with involves rid- comfort foods
ing through beautiful land-
scapes, trying to slow the “Smoked Salm-
dogs down a bit, as they on on Rye
have an insatiable desire bread”
to run at the speed of light.
The Northern Lights are visible
between the months of Septem-
ber to March in Lapland. In north-
ern Lapland, chance of seeing
the lights are about every other
clear night. In southern Finland
they are visible on about 10-20
nights a year. The lights would
usually make their appearance
around 8 PM and stay still 3 AM.

THE BEST WINTER GETAWAYS
IN THE SWITZERLAND

ZURICH IN WINTER – EVERYTHING YOU NEED carnival, can all be enjoyed in Zurich in winter!

TO KNOW! How to get to Zurich in winter?
Zurich has a large international airport and is very well
THEGLOBETROTTER SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 connected to places across the world. In fact, most
flights into Switzerland come to Zurich, followed by
Recognised as one of Europe’s most livable cities, this Geneva. The Zurich Flughafen (that’s what the airport
up-and-coming city with a great art scene and buzzing is called in German) is very close to the city centre
nightlife, provides a gateway to the Swiss alps. Set – just 10 km! It takes only 10 minutes on a train (or
on the shores of Lake Zurich, this city offers a great 15 minutes by a car) to go from the airport to the city
combination of vibrant culture and scenery. Visiting centre! There’s a very efficient network of trains and
Zurich in winter will also allow you to experience some buses that connect the airport not only to the city centre
of the best skiing on offer in Switzerland. but also to several nearby towns and cities. This first
interaction with the public transportation system is
Today our guest author Smita tells us all about visiting enough to leave visitors awed by Swiss efficiency!
Zurich in winter, from what weather to expect to the
best things to do on a cold or rainy day in Zurich in To buy tickets for the train, just follow the signs
wintertime. Stay tuned to learn about why you should towards the train station (located in a large shopping
visit Zurich in the colder months, how to get there, area right at the airport) and you’ll find multiple kiosks
where to stay, what to do and how to celebrate which accept both card and cash (even Euro will
Christmas and New year during the winter in Zurich. work). There are also ticket windows if you’d rather
speak to someone.
Why visit Zurich in winter?
Zurich is a beautiful cosmopolitan city, steeped in There is absolutely no need to book a taxi – trains/
history and culture and a stone’s throw away from buses will get you everywhere and are much cheaper
excellent ski locations. Delicious fondue on a tram (well, that is by Swiss standards!)
through the city, a steaming cup of hot chocolate in
an Alpine restaurant, stunning Christmas markets
(complete with singing trees!) and a vibrant, fun

How to get around Zurich in winter? Things to do in Zurich in winter.
Swiss public transportation system is a marvel of There are plenty of things to do in Zurich in winter, you
efficiency and cleanliness. Zurich has an excellent won’t be bored. As well as a multitude of day trips to
network of public transportation. No place in Zurich visit places like Jungfrau and Mount Rigi. you’ll find a
will be longer than a 10-minute walk from the nearest huge range of activities to enjoy in the city even in the
public transportation option – train, tram or bus. These colder months.
run on the dot as per the schedule. These are also
equipped to allow easy access to wheelchairs. The Take a stroll along the famous shopping street of
drivers are supremely helpful, though they may not Bahnhofstrasse.
speak English well. Shop at the numerous stores lining this street or enjoy
a hot cup of cocoa at one of the cafes during the day.
Most stations will have kiosks for you to buy tickets, During the night enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights
but you can also download and use the SBB app strewn over the street. To get to Bahnhofstrasse,
which allows you to see the schedules and buy tickets simply walk out of the main train station and follow
online. the crowds!
Where to stay when you visit Zurich in the wintertime?
The old town area close to the city centre is the best Take a walk along the lake promenade.
place to stay in Zurich in the winter – it is close to the Take a stroll and marvel at the immense Lake Zurich.
main train station, the lake and to a lot of the major Surrounded by mountains and home to plenty of birds,
places to visit in Zurich. lake Zurich is one of Zurich’s highlights. You can also
take a ferry ride to enjoy the lake up-close.
What is the weather like in the winter in Zurich?
Winters are cold in Zurich with temperatures dropping Go ice skating.
below 0 degrees C occasionally. Snowfall often starts Zurich and the surrounding towns have numerous
by the end of November. On an average day, there ice-skating rinks in winter (and frozen lakes too!)
are around 9 hours of daylight. There are plenty of cafes around them making it a
great place to spend a day ice skating.





Why visit Greenland in the
winter? Greenland is a true
winter wonderland for most
of the year. Snow carpets
every city, town and
settlement in fluffy white.
As long as you dress right,
you can enjoy the magic of
Greenlandic winter in
comfort and style.

The temperatures vary in Greenland Winter
over the year, and the Arctic winter Greenland
can offer quite refreshing
temperatures. In other words, it can
get very cold! The air is dry in
Greenland, so even a few degrees of
warmer weather feel much warmer
than anywhere else in the world with
greater humidity. Conversely, the cold
temperatures do not feel as cold as on
a stormy autumn day in a lot of other
places.

The Northern Light Greenland

The dark the better. White winter landscape makes
a great backdrop for the beautiful green and
sometimes purple colors. The Northern Lights or
Aurora Borealis, as it is scientifically called,
appears on the dark yet clear skies of Greenland
starts from September and stays on till the end of
winters. This spellbinding trick of nature is
mesmerising to watch as it paints the dark skies
with green strokes of light. The lights even stay all
day and night dancing in the skies and forming
patterns during winter solstice, which is a must-
experience phenomenon that one rarely gets to
see in a lifetime.