Mediterranean Travel Shifts Toward Winter Season

Winter bookings to the Mediterranean are on the rise as travelers look to escape the peak summer season's crowds, heat, and inflated prices. This trend is leading to year-round operations for some resorts and new itineraries from travel providers.

Daniel Kerzner, who opened the Santorini Sky hotel in summer 2020, found that the Greek island offered a unique appeal in the colder months. "You think the sunsets are nice in the summer? It's like the sky is on fire in the winter," he said. By weatherproofing and insulating his resort, Kerzner has kept Santorini Sky open year-round. The increase in winter visitors is partly attributed to improved air links, with ten daily flights from Athens to Santorini, and government initiatives encouraging off-season tourism, such as requiring new restaurants to remain open through winter.

This shift is reflected in booking data from various travel operators. Untamed Traveling reports a 15% year-over-year increase in winter bookings, while Zicasso, a luxury travel marketplace, has seen a 14% rise in winter bookings to France and a 9% increase to Spain. The all-business class airline La Compagnie has also made its New York to Nice route a year-round service.

Hotels and resorts are adapting to this demand. Valentina de Santis added an indoor pool to her Lake Como property, Passalacqua, to extend the season. Similarly, the new Airelles hotel in Venice features an indoor pool. Luxe cruise line Explora Journeys has stationed its second ship in the Mediterranean for the winter, offering itineraries from November through March.

Experts point to overcrowding, overheating, and overpricing as key drivers for the off-season appeal. A five-star hotel in Capri during July can cost upwards of $4,000 per night, with added challenges of crowds and high temperatures. In contrast, winter visits can offer milder weather, fewer tourists, and better value. Jack Ezon of Embark Beyond notes that his firm's winter bookings for urban European trips have grown by 85% in the past five years, while summer bookings have slightly declined.

Livia Angelini of Scott Dunn has observed a similar trend, with winter Mediterranean bookings nearly doubling year over year. She suggests Rome as an ideal winter destination, offering experiences like artichoke season in January or Carnival in February. Angelini advises a hub-and-spoke approach for off-season travel, using a larger city like Naples as a base for day trips to areas like the Amalfi Coast, rather than frequently changing hotels.

Seville is also highlighted as a desirable winter destination, with comfortable daytime temperatures suitable for walking and exploring. Monaco is another favored winter spot, offering sunny, mild weather and accessible dining and shopping, akin to a "mini-Paris."

Lucie Weill, owner of the wellness resort Lily of the Valley near St. Tropez, which has been open year-round for seven years, notes the beauty of the region's light and mild weather in winter, with minimal rain and no queues. She mentions a tradition of having Champagne on the beach on January 1st, often in pleasant weather.