There are various kinds of winter getaways such as snowy wonderlands and tropical beaches. Some days, people think about a ski holiday or a journey to a snow-covered European village, while other days, people think about a beach vacation while it’s cold in North Jersey.

If you’re stuck deciding where to go for vacation, you’re in luck: here are seven of the best winter vacations, divided into cold and warm weather destinations, to make the next vacation the best one yet. 

Yellowstone National Park, the oldest of all U.S. national parks (established in 1872), remains one of the most incredible places to visit. The Old Faithful geyser expels 3,700- 8,400 gallons of boiling water and reaches a height of 106-184 feet. (www.nps.gov)

Another amazing place to visit in the park is the Grand Prismatic Spring, which is the largest hot spring in the United States. The best time to visit the spring is early in the morning because the site will not be as crowded. (www.yellowstonepark.com)

These two sites are the most known in the park, but every single acre is worth visiting in person. To avoid crowds, go during the winter.

Zakynthos, Greece, is the third largest of the Ionian Islands. It seems as if that killer shade of emerald-blue frames all the Greek islands. Zakynthos is considered an island with a long musical tradition. 

Japan’s Hokkaido island Hokkaido, a Japanese island, is a poster child for unspoiled geological beauty (think volcanoes, national parks, and lakes), most of which become even more magnificent in the winter. The ethereal Blue Pond, where azure waves draw layers of ice quite beautifully, is one of the amazing spots to visit.

Mauritius. Instagram and Pinterest have created renewed interest in this island in the Indian Ocean, thanks to its “underwater waterfall,” a visually stunning runoff of sand best viewed from above. Roughly 550 miles east of Madagascar, Mauritius may also be home to a lost continent hiding beneath the waves. 

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, welcomes most of its visitors from spring to fall, but those travelers are seriously missing out. Skip the crowds and visit during the winter. A fun activity to do there is to participate in ranger-led snowshoe hikes and winter astronomy programs. Plus, there is an opportunity to see those famous hoodoos in their natural environment, peeking through a blanket of snow. 

Iceland. There are winter wonderlands, and then there is Iceland. With snow-covered mountains, frozen beaches, and dazzling northern lights, this icy nation affords some of the best winter vacations. And when the time comes to warm up, can you really do much better than a soak in the Blue Lagoon?

Raja Ampat, Indonesia, located off the coast of West Papua, is a scuba diver’s dream with its blue channels and biodiverse reefs. Expect to see everything from sperm whales to giant hawksbill turtles, plus about 1,300 species of colorful coral-dwelling fish. Above the water’s surface, you will find a lush, jungle-like setting resembling a Jurassic Park movie.