Planning to ditch the indoors on vacation? Here are some places to check out.
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It’s getting chilly outside, and if you’re planning on taking a winter vacation, now is the time to get planning. Once you’ve saved some money, checked the COVID guidelines, double-checked them, vaxxed up, and reserved some time off work, you just have to decide where you want to go.
It can be a difficult choice, especially with so many wonderful places in the world to visit. But, there are a few ways to narrow things down. Are you looking to escape the cold, or have a cozy, snow-capped trip? Are you looking for a resort stay, or to be one with the locals? Regardless of your travel style, we have at least a couple of options we think you’ll enjoy.
Looking to live the island life? Martinique, a Caribbean spot, offers both French and West Indian culture in a warm, sunny package. Its capital, Fort-de-France, is bustling with narrow streets, a plethora of cafes, and gardens. White sand beaches provide the necessary essentials for lounging and basking in the heat.
Photo: Getty Images.
Are you thinking less of sandy beaches, more of a gorgeous lagoon? Try Negril in Jamaica. The town’s Long Bay opens into lovely coral reefs, a scuba and snorkeling destination. This secluded, quiet location is a perfect place to relax and enjoy scenery you may never encounter at home.
Photo: Getty Images.
Maybe fine architecture is more your speed? If you’re itching to walk cobblestone streets and take in colorful colonial buildings, Cartagena is where you want to go. The port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast is home to delicious ceviche, palm trees, coral reefs, and plentiful shopping.
Photo: Getty Images.
Okay, so this one isn’t actually warm, but perhaps you aren’t searching for sun. If you want to see some incredible medieval architecture, ski, sled, ice fish, and get in the holiday spirit, this small city is the place to be. Snowcapped mountains make this destination both beautiful and cozy.
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The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, offers many different attractions. Delicious Vietnamese food can be eaten in the midst of centuries-old buildings, temples, and comfortable temperatures. Also, if you go in the wintertime, you might be lucky enough to encounter the Tet or Perfume Pagoda Festival.
Photo: Getty Images.
Here’s another cold but cozy one. Head up to Canada to get a taste of French influence a little closer to home. In the wintertime, this city’s historical architecture gets decked out in holiday decorations. Ice skating, mulled wine, and seasonal markets and festivals make the trip well worth your time. Photo: Getty Images.
Perhaps you want to visit the Caribbean but stay away from the most touristy spots. Curaçao, a Dutch island, offers the solution. This spot is filled with pastel buildings, coral reefs, and white sand beaches. Christoffel National Park also provides activities for your more outdoorsy travel companions with plenty of acres and mountain hiking.
Photo: Getty Images.
Though it may be a more alternative spot for vacationing, Chiang Mai in Thailand is a cultural hub with a rich history and hundreds of beautiful Buddhist temples. Vast mountains and rice terraces provide gorgeous scenery and if you go in February, you can witness the Flower Festival, when all the streets in the Old City are coated in flowers for three days.
Photo: Getty Images.
This lovely European city is the capital of Portugal. The hilly locale is filled with pastel-colored architecture, great food, and coastal views. Travel just outside the city and your European vacation can also double as a beach trip, with plentiful sandy shores going along the Atlantic from Cascais to Estoril.
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A social media darling, this island in the Indian Ocean is jam-packed with Instagrammable scenery. In fact, it’s gorgeous enough to make even the most addicted set down their phone. Mauritius is home to an underwater waterfall, coral reefs, rainforests, and Black River Gorges National Park.
Photo: Getty Images.
Miami, Florida is well established as a top U.S. destination for sunny weather and beach lounging in the summer. But, you should consider taking a winter trip down the American coast. This December, visit Miami and get a chance to enjoy Art Basel and Design Miami, two special events for the art lover.
Photo: Getty Images.