When a lot of us think of travel, we think of the sun. Endless songs have been written about chasing it. Most of us look for hot temperatures before even considering a destination. And, in many ways, it makes sense. It feels right to pack tiny tops and bikini bottoms. The heat certainly helps us chill out while we’re away.

But, by only considering tropical countries, we cut ourselves off to all sorts of experiences. And, for the avid travelers among us, the experience is what it’s about. If you want to see as much of the world as possible, you should embrace the hot and the cold. So, buckle up, pack some jumpers, and consider these reasons for visiting cold countries.

Variety is the spice of life

As mentioned above, the experience is the goal for many hardcore travelers. And, the best way to experience new things when you go away is to keep things varied. Of course, that’s not to say that all hot countries are the same. But, there’s no escaping the fact that, in similar climates, you’re sure to see similar landscapes. That’s just the way nature works, we’re afraid. Of course, landscape aside, every destination has something different to offer. But, sometimes it can be refreshing to step off a plane and see something entirely new. And, that’s exactly what you’ll get with a winter vacation home. Sure, you might miss that hot blast of air as you step onto the runway. But, the sights in front of you will make the cold well worth it. Just make sure to take a few layers on the plane with you so that the temperature change doesn’t come as too much of a shock.

We don’t all cope in the heat

Even those of us who go out of our way for sun-seeking may struggle to cope in extreme temperatures. No matter how much love the heat, some destinations are impossible to deal with. Hence why, in countries like Spain, it isn’t unusual for shop owners to head home for a mid-afternoon siesta. Even locals can’t stand the burn. Plus, when it comes to hot weather, there’s only so much you can do to cool down. You can’t take off layers of clothes you aren’t wearing. But, when it comes to colder countries, you can always slip on another jumper.

Some of the most diverse countries are cold

If you appreciate marvels of nature, you can’t do much better than cold climates. The extremity of these weather conditions provides a myriad of marvels to wonder at. Take Iceland, for example. You’d be hard pushed to find any landscape more varied than this. Here, you can find anything, from geysers to volcanoes, and glaciers to boot. In fact, you’d be hard pushed to find a destination with half as much diversity as you’d find here. And, other cold climate countries offer wonders of their own. So, give it a go. Cold climates could become your new travel priority.