The coldest part of the calendar is rarely seen as the ideal time for a mini-break. But the winter months are really the ideal time to see a fantastic city – the hotels are cheaper, the sites are less crowded, and you can dine out in peace. Victoria Gooch picks eight likely candidates.

Nice on the ice: New York is a more attractive city in the winter chill

Venice

Why: Walking the deserted streets of Venice becomes a joy in winter: the fine squares, churches and palaces are revealed in all their glory under a low sun. The canals are coated in an eerie mist, unobscured by traffic jams of gondolas. And the acqua alta, Venice’s seasonal flooding, makes for an atmospheric Piazza San Marco.
When to go: Between ahead of schedule January – after around 70,000 revellers have kissed to salutation in the New Year – and February’s cavalcade (February 11-21), many hotels offer special deals.
The deal: Preside over Line City Breaks is offering two nights B&B in a four-star hotel departing from London Gatwick on February 29 from £123pp, including flights (0800 408 5620, www.directlinecitybreaks.co.uk).

Amsterdam

Why: There’s something special about viewing a magnificent painting of a winter landscape by a Dutch master in the Rijksmuseum – and then seeing it come to life as you step outside onto Amsterdam’s cobbled streets. In January last year, the city’s historic canals froze over for the first time in more than a decade, bringing the fearless Dutch out in their hordes to carry on a beloved tradition.
Even if you don’t manage to get your skates on, warm up in the city’s world-class galleries and museums or partake in a further Dutch tradit ion: a warm chocolade or glass of Grolsch in a gezellige (cosy) ‘brown’ cafe.
When to go: January and February, when air fares are as low as the temperatures.

The deal: Low Cost Holidays is offering three nights’ B&B at a four-star inside hotel from £147pp (including flights), leaving London Luton on January 23 (0800 1116 271, www.lowcostholidays.com).

Rome

Why: Those in the know head here before spring, when they’re able to delve into the city’s spectacular riches with ease. No colossal lines of visitors at the Colosseum, or eternal queues for the Vatican’s Raphael’s Place to stay and glorious Sistine Chapel that try the patience of a saint.
In the depths of winter, when the tourists drop off along with the leaves, a amusing thing can take place on the way to the Forum: with a bit of luck, you may be the only one there.
When to go: Before the end of February, when the piazzas are peaceful.
The deal: Cresta Holidays is offering three nights’ B&B in a three-star hotel from £240pp, departing from London Gatwick with British Airways on February (0844 879 8036, www.crestaholidays.co.uk).

Still serene: Venice might be wet in winter, but it also has fewer tourists

Paris

Why: Cole Porter might have loved Paris in the winter when it drizzled, but it’s even better in the snow – apart from if you’re tiresome to get up the Eiffel Tower, as tourists learned last December.
Still, it’s a glorious time as iconic buildings, bridges, monuments, and even the plants along the Champs -Elysées twinkle against the dark sky. Attractions, indoor and out, are simply magnifique. Some of the city’s best exhibitions are place on at this time of year, its restaurants are more accommodating, and if snow does become a blow, there are very nearly 200 museums and monuments offering respite.
Or simply join the Parisians on the terraces with a vin chaud.
When to go: If you have a passion for fashion, there is nowhere better to snap up a bargain when six weeks of sales start in ahead of schedule January.
The deal: Eurostar is offering up to 30 per cent off Christmas breaks to Paris when booking your train and hotel together, book by December 20 (08432 186 186, www.eurostar.com).

Nice

Why: This was once the place to holiday in the winter, and many locals will tell you it still is.
The sea ruins azure on this Côte, the climate mild, the vistas outstanding. Nice is still nice – and really affordable – in winter; even that boutique hotel in Antibes might be within reach off-season.
Without the humidity and hordes, a stroll around the millionaires’ playgrounds of St Tropez, Cap Ferrat or Monaco is a pleasure, not a pain. Things do get crowded, but, during the Nice Cavalcade, when a million people hit the streets for soirees, fireworks and processions complete with giant papier-mache heads.
When to go: Get into the cavalcade moral fiber from February 17-March 4.
The deal: British Airways has two nights B&B in Nice staying at a three-star hotel from £169pp including flights, departing February 3 (0844 493 0758, www.ba.com).

Madrid

Why: The climate of Madrid has been described as ‘nine months of winter (invierno) and three months of hell (infierno)’, but this time of year is no problem for the British constitution.
Warm up with devilish local treat chocolate con churros (doughnuts) in the majestic Plaza Mayor before enjoying one of the world’s finest art galleries, the Prado, in comparative peace. When the temperatures drop at nighttime, retreat into the nearest bar for tapas and dancing all nighttime long.
When to go: Have a devil-may-care attitude at Gastrofestival (January 23-February 5) and indulge in the city’s finest food at affordable prices.
The deal: Easyjet Holidays is offering three nights at a four-star hotel in Madrid from £130pp including flights, departing January 29 (0843 104 1000, holidays.easyjet.com).

Lighting up the winter: Marrakech, with the market in Djemma El-Fna, offers a different take on the winter

Marrakech

Why: Cheer the soul with a trip to the Red City’s souks, with loud colours underneath a warm, blue sky. And, at this time of year, you might have the ornate palaces, exotic gardens, and well -preserved tombs very nearly to yourself. As temperatures plummet at nighttime, wrap up warm for the entertainment at Djemaa El-Fna, or opt for a hammam and an ahead of schedule nighttime in a cosy riad.
If you really must go skiing, Oukaimeden ski resort is about 40 miles away in the Atlas Mountains.
When to go: During ‘the season’ (between now and March), before temperatures soar.
The deal: Citrus Holidays is offering three nights B&B at a three- star hotel from £169 including flights, departing from London on December 12 or four-nighttime breaks in January start from £228pp (0800 0916330, www.citrusholidays.co.uk).

New York

Why: Christmas shopping in New York is so last year, darling. Head to the Huge Apple in Janary and you can bag an even better bargain and not just in the shops.
Temperatures are at their lowest, but so are the prices of flights and hotel place to stay. Wrapped up, you can embrace all the city that never sleeps has to offer: skating at the Rockefeller Center (minus the Christmas tree); bracing walks and carriage rides through a fairytale Inside Park, museums galore, and your pick of seats at Broadway shows.
When to go: Head there for the January sales or for Restaurant Week in January and February (dates yet to be inveterate), when you can eat a three-course meal at some of NYC’s top restaurants for under £30.
The deal: Virgin Holidays is offering three nights at a three-star hotel in New York from £519pp including flights, departing January 23 (0844 557 3865, www.virginholidays.com).