Samantha Brown’s Expert Winter Travel Tips, Favorite Places to Visit

03.12.2024 - 21:22 / travelpulse.com / Samantha Brown / Lacey Pfalz

We all need a little advice sometimes, and winter travel is sure to bring up some questions about what to pack, what not to pack, and what we should consider as we enter the busy holiday travel season.

Samantha Brown, Travel Expert and Two-Time Emmy Award-Winning TV Host of Places to Love, shared her own expertise for traveling this winter, along with some of her favorite destinations to visit during the long season. 

With her eighth season of Places to Love premiering this January on PBS, Brown has more than enough insider info to help travelers prepare for their upcoming trips, whether it be on an enchanting European river cruise or a frigid Midwest frolic. 

Passenger plane in snow at airport (Photo Credit: Alexey Lesik, Adobe Stock)

One of the biggest concerns travelers have about winter travel is the weather: more specifically, how it might impact their travel plans, and how to pack. Brown gives advice on both concerns.

“There's no way to know what the weather will be when you book your flight,” said Samantha Brown. “But about a week before you leave, start paying close attention to the weather. If you see inclement weather coming, create a Plan B sheet of two to three alternatives you may have such as a later or earlier flight option. And another really key thing to remember is if you will be driving in a mountainous area, understand from locals what the conditions are and if it might be safer to hold off on leaving that certain day. If you do take the risk, make sure you have some sort of emergency kit, just in case.”

Packing for cold weather can also be challenging, but Samantha always makes sure to pack a few different things, from a merino wool top, leggings and socks to winter boots. She also recommends a hydrating stick you can use for your face, lips and hands to protect against bitter cold weather. 

For those heading to Europe specifically, she recommends bringing along a waterproof jacket and boots due to wetter weather—“not just ‘weather resistant,’” said Brown. 

Brown is godmother of AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna river ship and hosts around one river cruise each year. She also provided some information on what it’s like to sail in winter in Europe. 

“Because of my partnership with AmaWaterways I’ve been able to sail on six cruises, including a Rhine cruise that sailed in December. Europe in the winter is such a delight as it’s calmer and more laid back. It feels like it’s just you and the locals and this allows you to savor your time more and really connect with the destination,” said Samantha. 

“A lot of the food that we look forward to while in Europe seems geared more towards colder weather as well,” she continued. “Hungarian Goulash, Vienna’s Tafelspitz, Raclette in Switzerland and then there’s the