January often arrives with high expectations for our year ahead

From Charleston to Santa Fe, these U.S. destinations offer beauty, atmosphere, and fewer crowds in winter — making them ideal for off-season travel.

Winter travel doesn’t always begin with a destination — it begins with a feeling. A desire for warmth, quiet, inspiration, or rest. When you travel by mood, you’re not chasing peak season or checking boxes. You’re choosing a place that supports the season you’re in. Finding serenity in every mood: Cozy up by a warm fire with a good book, embrace tranquility through yoga, or enjoy a joyful stroll on a girls' trip with a friend. This winter, instead of asking Where should I go?

A woman enjoys a warm cup of coffee while watching the snowfall through the window of a cozy cafe. Why Rushing Ruins First Impressions For many years, much of my travel came as an add-on to work. I’d arrive in a city for meetings, events, or projects, and whatever time remained — an afternoon, a morning, maybe a single free day — became my window to explore. In those moments, speed made sense. There was no luxury of lingering. You saw what you could, when you could. That kind

A young woman stands at the start of a mountain path, ready to embark on a new journey I am someone who sets high expectations for myself. I like goals. I like plans. I like doing things well —not halfway, not loosely, not accidentally. I’ve also been the person who quietly beats herself up for missing a workout, having a glass of wine she didn’t plan on, or not following the plan exactly as written. For a long time, I thought that self-pressure was the price of growth. That

Winter travel offers fewer crowds, richer experiences, and a slower way to explore. Discover why winter may be the most rewarding season to travel.

Shopping Small this Christmas There’s something undeniably magical about small towns during the holidays. The lampposts wrapped in garland, the bakery windows fogged from warm ovens, the hand-painted signs outside mom-and-pop shops — it all feels like the setting of a story we want to step into. And this year, more than ever, these towns need us to do just that. Across the country, small businesses are working hard to keep their doors open and their streets vibrant. These are