This feels like winter

From a river cruise to an open-air art gallery and from a polar bear gathering to a tea-estate romance, choose from these offbeat vacation ideas this season.

Polar Bear Safari

Canada

Head to the town of Churchill, located on the shores of the Hudson Bay, in December, to witness polar bears gathering along the bay waiting for the ice to form so they can hunt seals. Several companies like Tundra Buggy offer safe, up-close views, with rustic cabin stays. Specialised vehicles are designed for comfort and safety, allowing you to get a closer look at the bears while remaining at a safe distance. In addition to polar bears, you might see other wildlife like arctic foxes, caribou, and various bird species.

Christmas shopping

Germany

Nothing can spell Christmas more than traditional market hopping in Europe! In Germany, these seasonal markets are still rooted in ancient traditions – the air is filled with the aroma of regional culinary delights such as glühwein (spiced mulled wine), stollen (bread), and bratwurst (sausage). Cities like Munich, Dresden, and Nuremberg host markets with stalls selling handcrafted decorations, and heaps of local food! The German Christmas Museum in Rothenburg explores holiday traditions, while unique markets like Munich’s Pink Christmas add modern charm. In Rothenburg try weisser gluhwein, made with white mulled wine.

Cruising along the Brahmaputra

Guwahati

This mystical river flows as the lifeline of an ancient land, transcending human-drawn boundaries. Sailing along its waters is not just a vacation but a humbling journey through thriving cultures, surreal landscapes and living heritage. Experience it on a seven-night luxury cruise from Jorhat to Guwahati that reveals weavers’ villages, settlements of the Mising tribe, and Sivasagar, the ancient capital of the Ahom kings. One of the most captivating legacies of the dynasty is the two-storied Rang Ghar, said to be the first amphitheatre of Asia! Majuli, one of the world’s largest inhabited river islands, captivates with Vaishnavite monasteries and mask- making traditions. These masks, made of cow dung, clay and bamboo, depict people, animals and mythological characters. Buy a mask, and also watch a Bhaona dance performance, where masked dancers enact scenes from epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Next, a stop at Kaziranga National Park offers the chance to see the endangered one-horned rhino. The M.V. Mahabaahu cruise introduces Assam’s vibrant culture with Bihu dance performances, kantha embroidery sessions, and local cuisine.

Life on a Tea Estate

Darjeeling

What’s a tea estate without a few ghost stories? As the sun sets early in the hills, casting dark shadows over the rolling green bushes, the long nights are filled with enchanting tales from the past, enhanced by crackling bonfires. Life at a Himalayan tea estate is idyllic, especially in Darjeeling, West Bengal, where stunning views of snow-draped peaks, manicured gardens, old cafes, and friendly locals create the perfect winter escape. More than 80 tea estates surround this hill station, offering a colonial experience, sunrise views, and relaxing activities like mountain walks, hikes, and brookside picnics. The Glenburn Tea Estate offers cosy cottages with four-poster beds, chintz, and lawns with a breathtaking view of Mt. Kanchenjunga (Khangchendzonga). Hike the estate trails, tour the tea factory, or spend an afternoon by the charming river lodge.

Time-Travel

Shekhawati

This winter, enjoy time-travel through an open-air art gallery in Rajasthan’s hinterland – the underrated region of Shekhawati, where traditional havelis (mansions) blend history, mythology and modernity through exquisite frescoes. Built mostly between the 18th and 20th centuries by rich traders, these havelis are embellished with rich paintings, including decorated elephants and horses; decked-up ladies of the house and stately gentlemen! Towns like Mandawa boast vivid depictions all over the mansions. The paintings are everywhere – corners, cornices, ledges, door archways, and even ceilings! As you walk, impressive houses like the Jhunjhunwala Haveli almost sneak up on you, whispering their tales in your ears. In Fatehpur, visit Nadine Le Prince Cultural Centre, a restored mansion by a French artist. Nawalgarh, known as the “Town of Havelis,” has several museums as well like the one inside the Dr. Ramnath Podar Haveli.