Where To Escape This January For A Softer Start To The Year
January starts in a haze of festive aftermath — which is precisely why it’s the best month to disappear.
The tree is shedding, the kids are ricocheting between leftover selection boxes, and the last of the “festive magic” has given way to a very specific kind of domestic fatigue — the kind that settles in once the guests have gone home and you’re suddenly the only adult responsible for reassembling life. Every room feels slightly overlit. Every errand takes twice as long. And somewhere between Boxing Day and the first school run, you remember that January was never meant to be endured in the UK.
“Some months ask for discipline — January simply asks for a change of scenery.”
A week away — warm, quiet, beautifully run — isn’t indulgence; it’s a reset. A chance to swap grey skies for soft ones, to trade post-Christmas clutter for hotel linen, and to remember what your nervous system feels like when it isn’t carrying 12 days of celebrations on its back. For some, that means winter sun and saltwater. For others, it’s a European city finally free of crowds. And for families still recovering from the festive sprint (the hosting, the gifting, the “why is everyone awake?” of it all), there are places where travelling with kids genuinely feels like a holiday.
What follows is a well-edited guide to the destinations that make January feel gentler — the warmth, the calm, the culture, the ease — chosen because they deliver what the month itself can’t.
1. Marrakech, Morocco — Colour, Warmth and a Full-Sensory Reset
January in Marrakech feels like someone has turned the saturation back up on your life. The air is warm without being heavy; the souks are calm enough to wander at your own pace; and the honey-gold winter light makes even the simplest riad doorway look cinematic. Spend slow mornings on a rooftop terrace, lose an afternoon to Majorelle’s cobalt gardens, and end the day in a traditional hammam where the heat alone could undo a month of tension.
The cooler January air makes wandering the Medina infinitely easier, and the city’s rooftop terraces come into their own — think sun-warmed breakfasts overlooking the Atlas Mountains and late afternoons watching the sky turn apricot.
Couples will love: El Fenn, with jewel-toned rooms, rooftop pools and courtyards made for lingering.
Families will be happiest at: La Sultana, offering spacious suites, quiet pools and staff who instinctively understand gentle, flexible pacing.
2. Madeira, Portugal — Warm Days, Sea Pools and Cliff Walks
Madeira is winter sun for people who can’t face long-haul. January days settle at a comfortable 18–20°C, ideal for walking levada trails through mountain forests, swimming in volcanic pools at Porto Moniz, or spotting dolphins on a morning boat trip. The landscape is dramatic yet soothing, and the island moves at a pace that feels medicinal after December.
It’s also one of the best months for levada walks — the waterfalls are fuller after winter rain, the forests are lush, and the island feels almost impossibly calm. Evenings tend to be slow and lovely: sunset drinks on a terrace, or a glass of Madeira wine in one of the old lodges.
Couples will love: Reid’s Palace, all terrace breakfasts, immaculate gardens and old-world calm.
Families will be happiest at: Savoy Palace, with generous rooms, indoor–outdoor pools and a spa that justifies early nights.
3. Rome, Italy — Quiet Galleries, Better Food, No Crowds
Rome in January is deliciously unhurried: no queues snaking around the Vatican, no jostling at the Forum, no need to book dinner weeks in advance. You can wander, stumble upon extraordinary things, and actually see the city instead of surviving it. The crisp air suits long lunches, soft-hour walks and an entirely different side of Rome that’s impossible in peak season.
January is also when Rome’s neighbourhoods feel most authentic — Trastevere’s cobblestones are quiet, the Pantheon glows in crisp morning light, and even the most iconic piazzas feel like they’ve been temporarily handed back to the locals.
Couples will love: Hotel de’ Ricci, intimate, low-lit and quietly indulgent, with an impeccable wine cellar.
Families will be happiest at: Chapter Roma, with contemporary rooms, great interconnecting options and a location that makes short sightseeing bursts manageable.
4. Zürich, Switzerland — Spa Sanctuaries + Snowy Calm
If January calls for structure, silence and snow-framed views, Zürich is a masterclass in all three. Mornings wandering the cobbled old town, afternoons taking a short train into the Alps, evenings in a spa so warm and glowing it feels like therapy. Even the cafés have a gentle, meditative quality — the antidote to December chaos.
And when you want snow without the faff, the nearby Uetliberg mountain offers sweeping city views and easy winter trails — a soft introduction to Switzerland’s colder side. Back in the city, fondue spots and candlelit bars make early nights feel luxurious rather than obligatory.
Couples will love: The Dolder Grand, with panoramic mountain views and one of Europe’s most impressive spas.
Families will be happiest at: B2 Boutique Hotel, where the thermal rooftop pool and spacious suites soften even the coldest day.
5. Dubai, UAE — Guaranteed Warmth With Zero Effort
If your January non-negotiables are warmth, sea, room service and zero logistics, Dubai does it flawlessly. Expect 26°C sunshine, long swims, late breakfasts, boat trips and enough pool space to occupy even the most restless child. It’s uncomplicated — and that’s exactly why it works.
January also brings Dubai at its best — clear skies, warm evenings and a softer pace before the peak-season crowds return. It’s the ideal month for long beach walks, quiet desert mornings or a slow afternoon at one of the city’s beautifully designed beach clubs.
Couples will love: One&Only Royal Mirage (Arabian Court), with its romantic, lantern-lit architecture, peaceful private-feeling beach and grown-up, quietly glamorous atmosphere.
Families will be happiest at: Jumeirah Al Naseem, a modern, design-forward beachfront stay with generous pools, wide terraces and the kind of thoughtful family facilities that make travelling in January feel smooth rather than strategic.
6. Lanzarote, Canary Islands — Soft Sun, Striking Landscapes, Happy Kids
Lanzarote is quietly, unexpectedly cool: volcanic black beaches, whitewashed cubes, emerald pools and the unmistakable architectural imprint of César Manrique. January brings soft warmth and fewer crowds — perfect for exploring coastal paths, losing an afternoon to Jameos del Agua, or watching the sun dip behind the lava fields. It’s the island that rewards slowing down.
Couples will love: La Casa de los Naranjos, a beautifully restored 19th-century manor house in Haría, where antique-meets-modern interiors, leafy courtyards and a serene, slow-living pace make it one of the island’s most atmospheric escapes.
Families will be happiest at: Kamezí Boutique Villas (Signature Villas) — clean-lined, architectural villas with private pools and a quiet coastal location. They offer the rare combination of style, space and ease that makes travelling with children feel effortless without compromising on aesthetics.
7. Lisbon, Portugal — Stylish, Family-Friendly Ease With Winter Light
Lisbon in January glows, the low sun washing the city in gold. The cafés are warm, the coastal breeze is fresh rather than biting, and the whole place moves at a softer pace. It’s also one of Europe’s most effortless cities for travelling with children: cable cars, riverside paths, the vast Oceanarium, and restaurants where families are welcomed rather than tolerated.
January is also when Lisbon’s viewpoints are their most beautiful — Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and Portas do Sol glow in golden winter light. It’s cool enough for long walks along the waterfront, and warm enough to stop for custard tarts without rushing indoors.
Couples will love: Palácio Ludovice, a beautifully restored 18th-century palace with sculptural interiors, hand-painted tiles and a romantic, grown-up calm — the kind of place that turns a winter weekend into something cinematic.
Families will be happiest at: Santiago de Alfama – Boutique Hotel, a charming, design-forward townhouse in the heart of Lisbon’s prettiest neighbourhood. Light-filled rooms, thoughtful family suites and a warm, intimate atmosphere make it a genuinely stylish choice for travelling with kids.
If your January escape has reminded you how good life feels with a little breathing room, our Half-Term Travel Guide is packed with more beautifully curated family trips — smart routes, easy stays and ideas that don’t require military-level logistics.
