CollegeMom

If you loved Paris, you will thoroughly enjoy Buenos Aires which is often called the Paris of SA. It is a real bargain for food, shopping and wine, plus offers museums, cultural events, and great people watching. It will be summer in Jan. so the temperatures will be warm. It is such an international city, it is not necessary to speak Spanish. The added advantage of overnight flights saves two days for enjoyment rather than travel. Check the postings on Argentina to see why BsAS is a great vacation choice!

Grassshopper

Winter in European cities can be great because air fares are cheap(er), places are far less crowded, everything cost less and you feel far more like a local than a tourist.

BTilke

I've been going solo to Vienna every winter for the past eight years in a row (late Feb, not January). It's a great city for a solo traveler and also a great place to be in winter...I'd rather be there in the snow than in the summer heat. Has great restaurants, museums, sightseeing and plenty of hotels for a modest budget...my preferred hotel in the modest price range would be the Kaiserin Elisabeth...location is unbeatable.
I will be solo in Vienna in winter 2008 and am already looking forward to the trip!

Bloom

What about Portugal? It wouldn't be too cold in the winter, and it's generally pretty affordable.

Bloom

mcnyc

I don't think airfare will be cheaper this winter with the gas prices, but I hope I'm terribly wrong.

Savah, I would second the recommendations to go to Europe. Happy planning!

suze

SusanC, thanks for the correction (clarification) about airfare. I wasn't taking into consideration possible great prices for winter travel.

dmdevl

I went to Ireland at the end of last November for less than $300 air fare. Aer Lingus offers great fares in the off season. It can be cool in Ireland but seldom freezes thanks to the gulf stream. We got by with raincoats.

We had a great time for 6 days (3 in Galway, 3 in Dublin) but I would definitely go back to Dublin for a long weekend - anytime! So many museums and other cultural stuff plus a great nightlife. It's very easy to get around without a car. My galpal and I shopped up a storm. (For me shopping/city strolling is a great first day activity when I am too tired from the overnight flight to appreciate a museum - it keeps me moving for the thrill of the hunt!)

msteacher

Savah-- please let us know what you decide! There are so many wonderful choices... it will be nice for the rest of us to enjoy your selection vicariously!

jonathanrio

How about South America? February is Carnival time in Brazil, great fun, though of course you need to be careful with your possessions. Argentina is safer, Buenos Aires is superb and wonderful in February - also very cheap.

cheryllj

My vote would be for Rome or Barcelona. You can great some fabulous deals to Europe in the winter time (it's high season in warm beach locales), and both of those cities have so much to see and do. They should also have decent weather that is walk-around-able and not snowbound. I would save the colder parts of Europe for another trip when it's a bit warmer.