They don’t call it “the most wonderful time of year” for no reason. Winter is the perfect time to travel and explore new places, whether you’re looking for a snowy adventure, a cozy retreat, or a vibrant city break.
But what perfume should you pack for your winter vacation? It really depends on where you’re going. For snow-friendly spots, you’ll want a rich fragrance to combat the cold. For warmer adventures, look for something lighter.
We’ve rounded up seven of the best winter vacation scents to suit different types of winter destinations. Have a great trip!
Jimmy Choo Illicit by Jimmy Choo
If you’re hitting the slopes this winter, you’ll want a perfume that complements that crisp mountain air. Jimmy Choo Illicit is a top choice for a ski trip, combining sparkling and zesty notes of ginger and bitter orange with sweet and floral notes of rose, jasmine, and honey.
A perfect choice for longer days, Jimmy Choo Illicit is a moderate-lasting fragrance that promises to stay with you throughout the day, until you’re ready for a shower and some après ski adventures.
Recommended related fragrances: Bright Crystal by Versace, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Perfume by Dolce & Gabbana, Euphoria by Calvin Klein
Replica By The Fireplace by Maison Margiela
Nothing beats a cozy cabin in the woods this season. And you’ll need a perfume that matches the mood of your surroundings, just like Replica By The Fireplace by Maison Margiela.
This perfume was inspired by the smell of a wood fire and features notes of smoky wood, pink pepper, cloves, and orange blossom. Warm and comforting, it’s like sitting by a warm fireplace wrapped in your favorite blanket and sipping a spicy, warm drink while you watch the snowfall.
Recommended related fragrances: Cool Water by Davidoff Perfume, Burberry Touch Perfume by Burberry, Fire & Ice Perfume by Revlon
Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
If you’re planning a sophisticated city break this winter, you’ll need a perfume that can transition from day to night and suit any occasion. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium is an almost-good-enough-to-eat fragrance that can do just that, blending floral and fruity notes of orange blossom, pear, and jasmine with oriental and gourmand notes of coffee, vanilla, and patchouli.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re heading to New York City, Paris, or London: you’ll love this winter-friendly scent.
Recommended related fragrances: Boucheron Perfume by Boucheron, Ck One by Calvin Klein, Jovan Musk Perfume by Jovan
Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana
Not into cold weather? We don’t blame you. If you’re dreaming of a tropical escape this winter, your fragrance needs to be something lighter and sunnier. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue is a perfect choice for a tropical escape, capturing the essence of the Mediterranean with notes of lemon, apple, jasmine, bamboo, and musk.
While you’re strolling down the promenade, sipping a cocktail on the beach, and soaking up the sunshine, you’ll love its light, refreshing finish. Snow? Snow, thanks.
Recommended related fragrances: Good Girl Perfume by Carolina Herrera, Modern Muse Perfume by Estee Lauder, Versace Pour Femme Dylan Blue Perfume by Versace
Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt by Jo Malone
Heading away for a rejuvenating winter getaway? A snowy spa retreat might be just what you need. On this kind of winter vacation, you’ll want a perfume that can enhance your relaxation and well-being, and Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt is a great option for whisking you away into a world of pure relaxation.
This endlessly popular scent features notes of sea salt, sage, grapefruit, and ambrette. It’s clean and fresh, but also earthy and soothing, just like a relaxing aromatherapy massage.
Recommended related fragrances: White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor Perfume, Eternity by Calvin Klein Perfume, Bright Crystal by Versace
J’adore by Christian Dior
If you’re looking for a magical winter experience, a winter wonderland might be the ideal destination for you. You’ll want a perfume that can match the beauty and sparkle of your surroundings, and Dior J’adore is a wonderful choice for exactly this.
This winter-ready perfume offers a floral bouquet of ylang-ylang, rose, jasmine, and orchid, with a soft, final touch of fruity and woody notes.
Recommended related fragrances: Paloma Picasso Perfume by Paloma Picasso, Paris Perfume by Yves Saint Laurent, Ysatis Perfume by Givenchy
Shalimar by Guerlain
If you’re ready for a cultural adventure this winter, you’ll want a perfume that can reflect your curiosity for new experiences. Guerlain Shalimar is an amazing choice for a cultural adventure: one of the oldest and most iconic perfumes in the world, dating back to 1925.
This unbeatable perfume was inspired by the love story of an Indian emperor and his wife, and features notes of bergamot, iris, vanilla, and opoponax. Spritz it on this kind of trip and it’ll pique your curiosity for more travels well into the new year.
Recommended related fragrances: Armani Si Perfume by Giorgio Armani, Black Opium perfume by Yves Saint Laurent, Versace Eros Perfume by Versace
Now that we’ve taken you through the best winter vacation scents, head on over to perfume.com and choose your favorites. Shop our best sellers here.
Georgie Darling is a freelance lifestyle and travel writer from London, England. Her work has been published in ELLE, Yahoo, Red, Grazia, and Tripadvisor, amongst others. When she’s not writing, Georgie spends most of her time travelling to new countries and scuba diving. She’s been an avid fragrance lover since a young age and considers Alaïa by Alaïa Paris to be her signature scent.
