Where to go in January: winter sun, sea and mountains

Egypt is the most predictable option: Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada welcome guests all January, with daytime air around +20…+24 °C and cooler water at about +21 °C. Hotels with a heated pool make swimming comfortable, while the sea is good for boat trips and snorkelling.

For real tropical heat, look at the Maldives, Thailand and southern Vietnam: January is the dry season there, with air around +29…+32 °C and water around +28 °C. The UAE offers mild warmth without exhausting heat, and Hainan suits travellers who want a beach plus Chinese food without a long flight into the tropics.

Egypt is convenient thanks to a short flight and a wide choice of all-inclusive hotels. January is not hot there, but it is sunny; a light jumper is useful in the evening. For families, heated pools, a kids menu and a gently sloping beach matter most.

The UAE draws travellers to Dubai and Abu Dhabi: around +24 °C by day, cool in the evening and bracing sea. The Maldives in January mean the dry season and the best conditions for snorkelling, but also the highest prices: atolls cost several times more than Egypt, and flights usually involve a connection.

January is high season in Thailand on Phuket and in Pattaya: calm sea, rare rain and air around +30 °C. Hotels cost more than in summer, but the choice of beaches and excursions is at its widest. Families tend to prefer resorts with developed infrastructure and a short airport transfer.

In Vietnam, January is a good time for the south: Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City are sunny, while Hanoi is cool and damp. Hainan in January is milder than mainland China: air around +22…+26 °C, cooler water, and prices below Maldives and Thai high-season levels.

January is high season, so prices sit above the shoulder months. The most expensive dates are 28 December to 7 January: gala dinners, compulsory supplements and minimum stays appear more often. From the second week of January rates gradually fall, especially in Egypt and the UAE.

Think in ranges rather than a single figure: the budget depends on the departure city, hotel, meal plan, baggage and transfer. The final cost depends on dates, hotel and season and is confirmed before payment — a manager checks availability and the package contents.

Most winter destinations need no advance visa for citizens of Kazakhstan: Egypt and the UAE usually issue a permit on arrival, while Thailand, Vietnam, Georgia and China admit visa-free for a set period. Rules can change, so check them before buying and again before departure.

Flights from Almaty and Astana are busy in January: some are direct, others connect in Dubai, Istanbul or Abu Dhabi. Compare not only the ticket price but also travel time, baggage and the transfer to the hotel. Gudauri requires a flight to Tbilisi plus a mountain road — allow time for winter weather.

With children, January is easiest in Egypt, the UAE and Thailand: a short or familiar flight, plenty of hotels with pools and kids menus, and clear infrastructure. Check whether the pool is heated, whether there is a kids club and how far the beach is from the room.

Pack warm clothes for the evening, sunscreen and basic medicines. On a ski holiday, confirm the altitude, avalanche situation and equipment rental. If your dates are flexible, shifting a week or ten days past the New Year holidays often brings a calmer trip and a better price.