Courchevel

France

Weather: -2 to -12 °C
Snow days: 16 per month
Sunshine hours: 5 per day
Getting there: Chambéry-Savoie Airport (CMF), 100 km, or Aéroport International de Genève (GVA), 180 km

Trois Vallées is the largest ski region in the world – those vacationing in glamorous Courchevel have access to this snowy paradise. © Piotr Figlarz

Courchevel, in the west of the Trois Vallées, is located in the largest ski area in the world. In this winter paradise, 165 ski lifts carry the international crowd over 600 kilometers of slopes. Luxurious chalets and hotels are scattered all over the mountain; the glamorous resort town is a mecca for gourmets and passionate skiers alike. A whopping seven Michelin-starred restaurants await travelers here. At night, Courchevel's lights illuminate the snow-covered mountainscape, and the après-ski nightlife is as elegant as it is vibrant. You'll also find sculptures scattered throughout the mountain that are part of an open-air alpine museum.

Culinary Tip: New Gourmet Restaurant in Courchevel

Where to stay

Six Senses Residences & Spa Courchevel
291 Rue des Tovets, 73120 Courchevel, France
Tel.: +33 4 79 06 93 63
Web: sixsenses.com
Price: doubles from €656 

The alpine design and wellness resort Six Senses, created by Morpheus London, offers excellent cuisine. Guests can expect seven Michelin stars; a real treat. In addition, there is an outstanding spa menu with unique therapies, regional treatments in five treatment rooms and a spacious wellness area with pools, Kneipp sections, a sauna area and a gym.

Dubai

United Arab Emirates

Weather: 13 to 23 °C
Water temperature: 22 °C
Sunshine hours: 8 per day
Getting there: Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Dubai, the city of merchants (or today probably rather the city of superlatives) is worth the trip. © Ismail Merad

The trendy destination of Dubai is worth a visit, especially during the European winter months: the weather is a pleasant 20 degrees Celsius, and the water temperature is ideal for a dip in the sea. Apart from the beach vacation, the metropolis with its futuristic buildings has a lot to offer. The new Museum of the Future, for example – make sure to book your tickets in advance as there is a long waiting list! – or the popular promenade The Walk. Don't miss out on a desert safari or a visit to the Burj Khalifa. In case you were wondering what the younger generation is doing in Dubai, stop by Alserkal Avenue, where countless galleries, cafés, restaurants and boutiques are waiting to be discovered.

Related: Chiara Di Giusto Insider Tips for Dubai

Where to stay

Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf
Madinat Jumeirah, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Al Sufouh 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel.: +971 800 6234628
Web: jumeirah.com
Price: doubles from €590 

Splendid: the opulent five-star Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf is part of Madinat Jumeirah, a sprawling resort complex right on the sea. The balcony of the luxurious, spacious suite looks directly onto the small river that carries guests through the area via abra boats. In addition to great wellness and excellent cuisine – at KAYTO or Shimmers, to name a few – guests can expect attentive, personal service.

Melbourne

Australia

Weather: 18 to 26 °C
Water temperature: 20 °C
Sunshine hours: 10 per day
Getting there: Melbourne Airport (MEL), 15 minutes from the center

As the winter spreads over Europe, Australia basks in the glow of summertime: high time to head to Melbourne. The continent's second-largest city has a lot to offer. © Shutterstock

Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, scores points with its proximity to great natural spectacles: just a stone's throw from the urban hustle and bustle, the Twelve Apostles, eight limestone giants, gather on the coast. Murray's Lookout and the thermal springs of the Mornington Peninsula or the Dandenong Ranges are also ideal for a day trip. You can also look forward to big city life in Melbourne: In the Central Business District, countless cool bars, restaurants and cafés await foodies. The laneways in the city center shine in brilliant street art. And what would a sunny day in Victoria's capital city be without a stroll through the huge park of the same name?

Related: Why Melbourne Is Among the World's Most Livable Cities

Where to stay

The Langham
1 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Tel.: +61 3 8696 8888
Web: langhamhotels.com
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from $620 

Elegance meets urban chic: The Langham Melbourne is one of the city's most beautiful five-star hotels. Magnificent chandeliers hang from the ceilings and curated artworks by Australian art illustrator Kerrie Heiss complement the immaculate marble. A grand accommodation for urban travelers who appreciate style as much as service, wellness, and cuisine.

Grindelwald

Switzerland

Weather: -3 to -12 °C
Snow days: 23 per month
Sunshine hours: 5,5 per day
Getting there: Bern Airport (BRN), 70 km

Not to be missed: The First Cliff Walk above Grindelwald is not for the faint of heart, but impresses with outstanding views. © Willian Justen de Vasconcellos

The small village in the Bernese Alps, at an altitude of around 1,000 meters, is not only an excellent destination in summer. In winter, when a thick layer of snow covers Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch all around, snow sports enthusiasts from all over the world gather here. The First Cliff Walk, a spectacular viewing walkway that can be reached via a cable car, is a unique highlight. You can also take the charming Jungfrau Railway to the Jungfraujoch and visit the Sphinx Observatory, the highest observatory in the world, or the Ice Palace. We probably don't need to mention that there are more than enough options for après-ski fun.

Where to stay

Boutique Hotel & Restaurant Glacier
Endweg 55, 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 33 853 10 04
Web: https://www.hotel-glacier.ch
Price: doubles from €304 

The boutique hotel in Grindelwald enchants with its unrestricted mountain views as well as with good cuisine and relaxing wellness. The rooms are designed in modern alpine chic and the Glacier convinces with international culinary fare. 

Aruba

Lesser Antilles

Weather: 26 - 27 °C
Water temperature: 28 °C
Sunshine hours: 9 hours per day
Getting there: Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix (AUA)

Aruba, the first of the three ABC islands, are part of the Lesser Antilles - and arguably one of the most beautiful destinations in the Caribbean. © Qijin Xu

Anyone who gets on a plane in January and flies to Aruba will certainly not be disappointed. The small Dutch island in the Caribbean is not only home to proud pink flamingos that stroll through the gentle surf here. The island, with its white sandy beaches, invites you to spend hours strolling through idyllic coastal villages with pastel-colored houses. Along the way, you'll encounter the iconic southwest-leaning Divi Divi trees. There's plenty to see in Oranje Town, the island's capital, such as the Archaeological Museum, which displays indigenous artifacts, and Zoutman Fortress. For shopping, people meet at the L. G. Smith Boulevard. Also great: The first of the ABC islands is considered one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean.

Where to stay

The Ritz-Carlton Aruba
L.G. Smith Blvd 107, Noord, Aruba
Tel.: +297 527 2222
Web: ritzcarlton.com
Price: Double room from $ 1.060,- per night 

Those staying at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba on Palm Beach can expect comfortable days in an elegant ambience. The 320 rooms and suites are as impressive in size as they are in style. Culinary specialties include Italian cuisine, and the resort also has a casino that is open around the clock.

Los Angeles

United States

Weather: 7 to 20 °C
Water temperature: f
Sunshine hours: 7.5 hours per day
Getting there: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Quite glamorous: Los Angeles should not be missing from any USA bucket list. But even those who have already visited the City of Angels will always discover something new here. © Cedric Letsch

L. A., the City of Angels, is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations in the USA. And not without reason: The city of stars and millionaires is the home of Hollywood. A trip to Universal Studios is a must on any bucket list. Just like the famous Walk of Fame with its 2,731 stars of various entertainment legends. A drive to Malibu (you can't get anywhere in this city without a car) promises celebrity villas and beach vibes. And if you still feel like skiing despite all the glam, head to nearby Big Bear for a day ski trip.

Related: Why Los Angeles is worth a trip

Where to stay

The Hoxton, Los Angeles
1060 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Tel.: +1 213 725 5900
Web: thehoxton.com
Price: Double room from $ 169,- per night 

Located downtown in the Beaux-Art building, The Hoxton is certainly one of the trendiest addresses in the City of Angels: On the roof terrace, you can sunbathe in the face of the skyscrapers, and the rooms exude unagitated vintage coolness. Not to be missed: Dinner at the Cabra Rooftop Restaurant.