As autumn ends and winter breaks, many are quick to plot their escape. And who can blame them. When you haven’t seen the sun for months your only course of action is to fly somewhere hot. Shoveling snow from your driveway and scraping ice from your car are far less appealing than hiking in the Australian rainforest, or sunning yourself on a white sand beach.
The good news is that for those looking to trade winter this year for somewhere you can feel the sun on your skin, there are many destinations which offer warm weather all year round. Island destinations like Thailand, the WhitSundays, and the Florida Keys. Or more adventurous destinations like Sri Lanka or Spain’s Canary Islands.Which countries are warm in winter?
So forget about freezing to death on skis and bundling up each morning into 10 different layers of clothes; pack your swimsuit, suntan lotion and a hat; the following destinations are ideal escapes during winter for those searching for the sun. Where to go in winter that’s warm. Winter sun escape
Win your own winter sun escape! Alpharooms.com are giving away a 5 night break in the Costa del Sol! Visit their competition page for more details – simply publish a blog post about your favourite winter sun destination linking to their infographic.
If you’ve not had a winter sun break before just tell them what destination(s) are on your wish list and leave a link to your post in the comments of the main competition page or send them an email to wintersun@alpharooms.com. Competition ends December 18 2015.
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- When you haven’t seen the sun for months your only course of action is to fly somewhere hot.
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- When you haven’t seen the sun for months your only course of action is to fly somewhere hot.
The WhitSundays Australia
There’s no better way to spend winter than on an island where it’s almost always summer! 74 island wonders which line the beautiful tropical coast of Queensland, the WhitSundays are smack bang in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, and the “stunning natural landscapes of coast and islands are dotted with secluded beaches and friendly towns.”
Laze out on the beautiful beaches to enjoy the clear skies and crystal clear water, go snorkeling to explore the diversity of marine life underneath the surface of the sparkling sea, or cruise through the islands and drop anchor for a scuba dive. Which places have warm winters?
Head on over to the Daintree Rainforest for a rugged and World Heritage listed getaway, or spend the day splashing in the clear shallow waters of world famous Whitehaven Beach. Where can I go in winter that is warm?
Thai Islands
The islands of Thailand are perfect for those with a castaway fantasy. And while there are dozens to choose from with each offering something quite different, Koh Samui is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country for a tropical beach vacation. Warm winter vacations warm winter breaks
Think fine white sand beaches and crystal clear waters which come together with nodding coconut trees to one side, and the beautiful Gulf of Thailand to the other. Those wanting to dance barefoot under the soft light of the full moon can join one of Koh Samui’s wild nightly beach parties too.
More than 1.5 million tourists visit the island each year to enjoy the kind of tropical coastline and beaches you find featured in ads. What better way to spend winter than to “get a massage, have your hair braided, buy barbecued chicken or sarongs, get to know the locals or simply doze off and chill out in a hammock in the sun.” sunny winter vacations sunny winter breaks
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- Megan and Scott Enjoying the View at Koh Ta Kiev.
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- Megan and Scott Enjoying the View at Koh Ta Kiev.
Canary Islands
If white sand beaches aren’t your thing perhaps you would prefer gold? With golden beaches and azure skies, the sun on your face and breeze in your hair, Spain’s Canary Islands are the ultimate sand-in-your-toes experience, and the ultimate winter escape. Where is hot in winter
But holidays to the Canary Islands don’t have to be all about the beach. Take Gran Canaria. While tourists are sunbathing, swimming, sailing and snorkelling, the “real” Gran Canaria is just waiting to be discovered. Dubbed a “miniature continent” for the dramatic variation of landscape and terrain, real rewards await those able to tear themselves away from the mass beach-front tourism to explore this incredibly diverse island. Countries where winter is hot
Walk the cobblestone streets and discover narrow alleys filled with museums, tapas bars and restaurants. Explore Vegueta, the city’s historical district, with traditional Spanish buildings dating back 500 years, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990. Or rent a car for a few days and head out into the mountains. Totally rugged and wild, with spectacular scenery consisting of pine forests, canyons, and endless valleys, there is ample opportunity here for hiking, biking and horse trekking. hot winter vacation
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has it’s coastal gems too, though with eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, this is a fantastic winter destination that’s a bit off the beaten path for those seeking culture and adventure in a warm climate in place of the beach.
Go whale watching, stay in a tea plantation, track leopards in the jungle, or view the unparalleled sight of the annual elephant migration, which takes place in Sri Lanka’s Minneriya National Park. Is Sri Lanka Warm
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- Elephants in Kaudulla National Park, Sri Lanka
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- Go whale watching, stay in a tea plantation, track leopards in the jungle, or view the unparalleled sight of the annual elephant migration, which takes place in Sri Lanka’s Minneriya National Park.
The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a stunning archipelago of 1,700 islands stretching off southern Florida, and winter temperatures rarely dips below 20 degrees Celsius. Why people go to Florida in Winter
Think beautiful white sand beaches backed by sparkling crystal clear waters; fantastic dive sites and superlative marine life. Florida warm winter
Key Largo is the only living coral reef off the mainland US, and this is one of the most popular destinations in the Keys. Key West is another must, a laid back island city with pastel colored houses and coral reefs, and the most southern point in the United States of America. How warm is Florida winter
Take a seaplane from Key West to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson National Park for something truly unique – Fort Jefferson is a massive coastal fortress which once served as a prison. The Fort is characterized by picturesque blue waters, and the highest quality coral reefs. Travelers can camp out overnight on the white sand beach. Spend winter in Florida
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- When you haven’t seen the sun for months your only course of action is to fly somewhere hot.
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- When you haven’t seen the sun for months your only course of action is to fly somewhere hot.
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Photo credits: WhitSundays by ilaria. Thai Islands by boboandchichi.com. Gran Canaria by Juan Ramon Rodriguez Sosa. Elephants by Jonybraker. Jaguar by Blue Skyz Studios.
13 Comments
We’re headed to Fiji in March, but I’m not sure I can wait until then for all this sun, sand and salt! I’ve always wanted to go to the Canary Islands … I’ll definitely check them out.
So many more places to add to this list! Nicaraguaaaaa, Cubaaaa, Mexicoooo… I am not sure about Costa Brava. Ok, it surely is way sunnier than England. But it does get winter, there.
Canary Islands are perfect winter escape, especially for Europeans! :) They have pleasant climate, it’s warm, but not extra hot, plus many hiking paths, that’s my number 1 ! :)
I have to second the Canary islands. We just left there and the weather was awesome. We stayed a bit outside one of the main tourist areas and found it to be really beautiful with tons of things to do for active people!
As winter breaks, I am often plotting my escape! The Great Barrier Reef is near the top of my list, so I hope the WhitSundays are in my near future. This year I am visiting Koh Samui and loved reading more about it on your list of winter breaks.
No winter break for me as we have sunny days (almost) all year long but Sri Lanka still sounds like a good idea for a year end break. Would love to stay in a tea plantation area and also catch the annual elephant migration. Catching the latter would be a dream come true!
Great share. I have to ask, are you the blonde in the photo sipping the Coke? I am going to the Keys a few days during the holiday season this year. We live in Vero and it is so close so I want to experience the drive. (been to the keys via cruise ship before). Great information about the Canary Islands. Going to try and do a Trans-Atlantic cruise from Barcelona this fall that goes there. ;)
Nice!! I’ve been to Koi Samui once for a Full Moon party and had a blast. The Canary Islands also sounds fantastic. This is a great giveaway thanks for sharing.
Love the Thai islands but Philippineshas 7,107 beautiful islands to choose from.
I’m already researching about the best beaches of Australia because I’m trying to make my way down there by next year! About time.
Was just thinking about this! I live in the permanent summer but Christmas is a time when I look for the colder weather, it just doesn;t feel Christmasy until I am wearing a jacket :) but for those living in miserable weather the sun and warmth is a welcoming change. Koh Samui is a great luxury destination and I have to make to the Whitsundays sometime soon, must be so beautiful! A friend was just telling me they go to Lanzarote every winter to escape the UK rainy cold weather, definitively a great and close option for Europeans
I wish for a break in one of those sunny places you wrote about – Australia would be the best but others aren’t any worse. Unfortunately, they are too far away and the costs are to high for me, so I travel closer, but sometimes it’s enough just to go away and cold is not a problem as long as it doesn’t rain ;)
Those are some great places to go get some warm weather during the winter. Thailand is of course a popular place but it’s great to see Sri Lanka mentioned.
Hey Megan, nice suggestions!
We’ve already escaped winter in Costa Rica, Mexico, Thailand and most recently – South Africa! But Canary Islands are much closer to Europe, so maybe next year ;)
Cheers, N.