Looking out the window, the sky is gray, it’s cold, and the weather can only be described as blah. Normally I would be dreaming of traveling over the holidays, but this year, I just want to stay home and organize my closet. Traveling during winter break can be extremely daunting if only because everyone else (in the whole wide world, including Santa) will be traveling too, anxious to get to (or away from) their loved ones over the winter break.

This is why unless you have an eight month pregnant wife awaiting your return, I highly suggest traveling immediately following the holidays. For three reasons: less fuss, better rates, better service.

All you have to do is turn on the news to see why one should not travel direclty over the end of December – beginning of January Christmas break.

Think of the hoards of children on holiday wanting to share the ski slope with you, not forgetting the chairlift line ups in the freezing cold. Imagine the massive queues at the aiports, the probability of having a baggage mix-up – or even better, an airport or train strike (because is there any better time to strike other than winter break?) Imagine the difficulty in renting your favorite Gstaad chalet only because you didn’t think to book it eight months in advance, forgetting that Charlie and Sarah, their neighbors, and their neighbor’s friends have been saving up for this trip of a lifetime, for a lifetime?

You’re more of a warm destination winter break person you say?

So am I, except that all those warm destinations seem to be the ideal place for a flood, earthquake, or tsunami come winter break.

Thus I highly suggest waiting until mid-January to whip out your platinum card and travel off-season as only the lucky few do.

Enjoy the winter print edition of MSQRD Magazine to read about our favorite go to places this January-February. For now, enjoy the next few weeks preparing your wardrobe.

If you have the luxury to do so.