5 great places to visit in January 2019 | CNN

<strong>January in Colorado: </strong>Arapahoe Basin is an easy trip from Denver if you don't want to venture too deep into the Rockies. Click through our gallery for more pictures from Colorado, plus four other destinations that make for a great trip in January:

January in Colorado: Arapahoe Basin is an easy trip from Denver if you don't want to venture too deep into the Rockies. Click through our gallery for more pictures from Colorado, plus four other destinations that make for a great trip in January:

Shutterstock

<strong>January in Colorado: </strong>Need a break from skiing or the cold? Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a natural hot spring that makes for a stupendous wintertime soak.

January in Colorado: Need a break from skiing or the cold? Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a natural hot spring that makes for a stupendous wintertime soak.

Shutterstock

<strong>January in Colorado:</strong> A patron takes to the slopes at the Winter Park Resort. You can take an express train to get here.

January in Colorado: A patron takes to the slopes at the Winter Park Resort. You can take an express train to get here.

Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images

<strong>January in Thailand:</strong> Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the most sacred temples in Thailand. It sits atop Doi Suthep Mountain and offers exceptional views of the city of Chiang Mai below.

January in Thailand: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the most sacred temples in Thailand. It sits atop Doi Suthep Mountain and offers exceptional views of the city of Chiang Mai below.

Shutterstock

<strong>January in Thailand: </strong>A somewhat secluded beach on the west coast of Koh Chang Island. Koh Chang (meaning elephant island) is one of Thailand's largest islands. But it still has some quieter places to explore.

January in Thailand: A somewhat secluded beach on the west coast of Koh Chang Island. Koh Chang (meaning elephant island) is one of Thailand's largest islands. But it still has some quieter places to explore.

Peter Charlesworth/LightRocket via Getty Images

<strong>January in Thailand: </strong>Chiang Mai can provide a festive atmosphere. It's the largest city in northern Thailand and is a great base for your explorations of this part of the country.

January in Thailand: Chiang Mai can provide a festive atmosphere. It's the largest city in northern Thailand and is a great base for your explorations of this part of the country.

Shutterstock

<strong>January in Montreal: </strong>Yes it's cold, but it's also beautiful this time of year in the largest city of Quebec, Canada. The snow-covered St. Lawrence riverfront makes for memorable winter scenery.

January in Montreal: Yes it's cold, but it's also beautiful this time of year in the largest city of Quebec, Canada. The snow-covered St. Lawrence riverfront makes for memorable winter scenery.

Shutterstock

<strong>January in Montreal:</strong> You can cross-country ski in this city! This skier makes his way through Mount Royal Park.

January in Montreal: You can cross-country ski in this city! This skier makes his way through Mount Royal Park.

Shutterstock

<strong>January in Montreal: </strong>People sit around a fire during Igloofest at Jacques-Cartier Pier in the Old Port of Montreal.

January in Montreal: People sit around a fire during Igloofest at Jacques-Cartier Pier in the Old Port of Montreal.

Olivier Jean/AFP/Getty Images

<strong>January in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico:</strong> If you just can't embrace the cold of winter, then head to the Pacific Coast of Mexico and enjoy stunning sunsets and palm trees.

January in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: If you just can't embrace the cold of winter, then head to the Pacific Coast of Mexico and enjoy stunning sunsets and palm trees.

Shutterstock

<strong>January in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico:</strong> La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe) is one of Puerto Vallarta's most significant landmarks.

January in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe) is one of Puerto Vallarta's most significant landmarks.

Shutterstock

<strong>January in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: </strong>The four stone arches at Los Arcos Amphitheater are an enduring symbol Puerto Vallarta. (And the view is quite good).

January in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: The four stone arches at Los Arcos Amphitheater are an enduring symbol Puerto Vallarta. (And the view is quite good).

Shutterstock

<strong>January in Kenya:</strong> Tourists on a safari watch for wildebeests migrating through the grasslands in the Masai Mara National Reserve.

January in Kenya: Tourists on a safari watch for wildebeests migrating through the grasslands in the Masai Mara National Reserve.

Shutterstock

<strong>January in Kenya:</strong> The second-largest city in Kenya, Mombasa has plenty of cultural attractions as well as some beautiful beaches.

January in Kenya: The second-largest city in Kenya, Mombasa has plenty of cultural attractions as well as some beautiful beaches.

Luis Tato/Bloomberg via Getty Images

<strong>January in Kenya: </strong>You can see wildlife here without leaving the city. Zebras in Nairobi National Park graze with the skyline of the capital behind them.

January in Kenya: You can see wildlife here without leaving the city. Zebras in Nairobi National Park graze with the skyline of the capital behind them.

Shutterstock

Where to go in January

CNN —

Come January, most people are seeking relief from the holiday madness of November and December. For many, this comes in the form of a ski or beach trip. It’s an ideal travel time for either (depending on the hemisphere).

Because of this, it is also peak season at many destinations around the globe, so make sure to book your flights and lodging as early as possible.

Whether you prefer a winter wonderland, a pristine white sand beach, or, perhaps, just some adventure, we have some suggestions for you. Here are five great places to visit in January: