Chasing the Sun in Winter
Chasing the Sun in Winter – Do frigid winter temperatures have you looking for a warm, sandy beach?
Chasing the Sun in Winter – Do blizzards and ice storms make you wish for lush, green hiking trails?
Chasing the Sun in Winter- It can actually be tricky choosing between one palm-fringed island, with its endless stretch of cotton-white sand and warm, turquoise bays, and the next.
Chasing the Sun in Winter – Here are some of the best warm places to visit for the perfect warm winter vacation getaway in the world.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Average winter temperature in Buenos Aires, Argentina is 67 – 84 F
Buenos Aires is Argentina’s big, cosmopolitan capital city. Its center is the Plaza de Mayo, lined with stately 19th-century buildings including Casa Rosada, the iconic, balconied presidential palace.
Other major attractions include Teatro Colón, a grand 1908 opera house with nearly 2,500 seats, and the modern MALBA museum, displaying Latin American art.
An irresistible blend of European and Latin influences, Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital is one of the most sizzling cities on the planet.
When the thermometer spikes and the humidity rises in the winter, it gets even hotter.
Expect generous cuts of steak, endless red wine, sultry late-night groove sessions at the milongas (tango halls) and an influx of tourists.
You’ll also find a variety of enticing events.
December heralds in festive fun, fireworks illuminate the sky on New Year’s Eve and Carnaval Porteño kicks off in February.
Sunshine Coast, Australia
Average winter temperature in Sunshine Coast, Australia is 68 – 84 F
The Sunshine Coast encompasses beach resorts, surf spots and rural hinterland in southern Queensland, Australia.
It stretches from the coastal city of Caloundra, near Brisbane, north to the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, home to multicoloured sand dunes, mangrove forests, and shallow lakes.
Upscale Noosa Heads has boutique shops, waterways, and walking trails through Noosa National Park.
Chasing the Sun in Winter- Puerto Rico, Caribbean
Average winter temperature in Puerto Rico, Caribbean is 70 – 84 F
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and unincorporated U.S. territory with a landscape of mountains, waterfalls and the El Yunque tropical rainforest.
In San Juan, the capital and largest city, the Isla Verde area is known for its hotel strip, beach bars and casinos.
Its Old San Juan neighborhood features colorful Spanish colonial buildings and El Morro and La Fortaleza, massive, centuries-old fortresses.
Santiago, Chile
Average winter temperature in Santiago, Chile is 51 – 86 F
Santiago, Chile’s capital and largest city, sits in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range.
Plaza de Armas, the grand heart of the city’s old colonial core, is home to 2 neoclassical landmarks: the 1808 Palacio de la Real Audiencia, housing the National History Museum, and the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral.
La Chascona is the home-turned-museum of poet Pablo Neruda
Curious what Santiago is like when it’s slushy and snowy in the vast majority of the U.S.?
From December to February, temperatures often rise into the 80s.
Because many Santiaguinos flee the city (remember, it’s summer for them), travelers can reap the benefits of less traffic and congestion.
Play a game of chess in Plaza de Armas, shop till you drop along the fashionable Avenida Alonso de Córdova, and soak in the panoramas from Cerro San Cristobal.
Costa Rica
Average winter temperature in Costa Rica is 59 – 73 F
Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific.
Though its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity.
Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds
To many, Costa Rica’s charm lies in its lush rainforests, unspoiled beaches and abundance of wildlife.
With breathtaking landscapes and a myriad of creatures – from toucans to monkeys to jaguars – it’s easy to see why.
You hike active volcanoes, zip line through cloud-covered rainforests and surf warm turquoise waters within the span of just a few days.
In this compact but diverse tropical paradise, exhilarating outdoor activities are abundant.
Nature-seekers will roam thick jungles while beachgoers will sprawl across the powdery sands.
Residents – known as Ticos – often recite the catchphrase “pura vida” (or “pure life”).
This guiding philosophy can be observed from Costa Rica’s central cosmopolitan capital of San José all the way to the sandy Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Surround yourself with graceful butterflies at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, hike along the monumental Arenal Volcano, mingle with locals at Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, or simply sit in a hammock under a palm tree along the Nicoya Peninsula.
Bora Bora, Tahiti & French Polynesia
Average winter temperature in Bora Bora, Tahiti & French Polynesia: 71 – 82F
English and Northern Irish travelers can visit French Polynesia without having to quarantine upon return to the UK, but Scottish and Welsh travelers will have to self-isolate.
All travelers need to present a medical certificate when arriving in French Polynesia.
You will receive a self-testing kit upon arrival, which you will need to complete four days after your arrival date.
In both geography and spirit, just about as far from a drizzly British winter as you can get.
French Polynesia is made up of 100-odd little islands in the South Pacific Ocean, the best-known of them Tahiti and Bora Bora.
They are out of this world. Castaway fantasy, ringed by reefs; the water unbelievable shades of turquoise blue; the hibiscus flowers Gauguin bright; everything bright and light and hyper-real.
Bora Bora is a small South Pacific island northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia.
Surrounded by sand-fringed motus (islets) and a turquoise lagoon protected by a coral reef, it’s known for its scuba diving.
It’s also a popular luxury resort destination where some guest bungalows are perched over the water on stilts.
At the island’s center rises Mt. Otemanu, a 727m dormant volcano.
Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, the South Pacific archipelago.
Shaped like a figure-8, it’s divided into Tahiti Nui (the larger, western section) and Tahiti Iti (the eastern peninsula).
With black-sand beaches, lagoons, waterfalls and 2 extinct volcanoes, it’s a popular vacation destination.
Explored by Captain James Cook in the 18th century, it was also often painted by French artist Paul Gauguin
Chasing the Sun in Winter – Galápagos Islands
Average winter temperature in Galápagos Islands is 72 – 86 F
Winter in the Galápagos Islands is marked by warm weather (think: highs in the 70s and 80s) and ample opportunities to view wildlife, snorkel and scuba dive.
The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It’s considered one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife-viewing.
A province of Ecuador, it lies about 1,000km off its coast. Its isolated terrain shelters a diversity of plant and animal species, many found nowhere else.
Charles Darwin visited in 1835, and his observation of Galápagos’ species later inspired his theory of evolution.
For wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers, nothing even comes close to the Galápagos Islands.
Winter is truly a special time, marked by warm temperatures, plentiful sunshine and calm waters.
It’s also breeding season for many animals – thus increasing your chances of encountering giant tortoise eggs hatching and flamingos nesting.
The tides around Gardner Bay brim with parrotfish, whitetip sharks, and stingrays.
Following an action-packed day spent discovering the Galápagos Islands, recharge your batteries at Pikaia Lodge.
Although this is technically the wet season, the sun shines most days and rain showers are brief.
Plan on visiting in December to see newly hatched giant tortoises, waved albatrosses before they fly off for the season and male marine iguanas displaying vivid colors to attract females for mating.
For a bit more action, arrive in February to celebrate Carnaval on Santa Cruz Island.
Finch Bay Eco Hotel is a 3.5 star hotel located at Barrio Punta Estrada in Galapagos Islands.
Lanai, Hawaii
Average winter temperature in Lanai, Hawaii: 63 – 73F
Lanai is one of the islands comprising the U.S. state of Hawaii, in the Pacific Ocean.
On its northern side is Shipwreck Beach, known for its offshore wreck of a WWII tanker, plus views of Molokai and Maui islands.
In the northwest, long, secluded Polihua Beach attracts green turtles.
Humpback whales sometimes appear past its shoreline. Inland is the Garden of the Gods, a lunar landscape of rock towers and boulders
Why visit in the winter: Filled with dramatic landscapes and sun-kissed beaches, a trip to Lanai is one of the best winter getaways in the US for tropical vibes.
This Hawaiian island is warm year-round and offers a wide range of outdoorsy and historical attractions to explore.
Discover a rock garden: Keahiakawelo, AKA ‘Garden of the Gods’, is an absolute must-see in Lanai and will make you feel like you’ve stepped onto Mars.
The rocky spires and formations there were caused by centuries of erosion, and are especially enchanting to see at dusk.
Catch the waves: The best place to surf on the island is Hulopoe Bay, which also has a beach park complete with barbecue grills, picnic tables, restrooms, and showers.
You can also go for a scenic hike along the cliffs nearby to see the iconic Lanai landmark of Puu Pehe.
Insider Tip: If you love cats, don’t miss the adorable Lanai Cat Sanctuary, where you can find over 600 rescue cats of all shapes and sizes.
The sanctuary feeds and spays them to prevent feline overpopulation and to protect Lanai’s endangered birds.
WHERE TO STAY: Four Seasons Resort Lanai ( 9.2) | Hotel Lanai ( 9.4)
Cancun, Mexico
Average winter temperature in Cancun, Mexico: 63 – 83 F
Cancún, a Mexican city on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, is known for its beaches, numerous resorts and nightlife.
It’s composed of 2 distinct areas: the more traditional downtown area, El Centro, and Zona Hotelera, a long, beachfront strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, shops and restaurants.
Cancun is also a famed destination for students during universities’ spring break period.
Auckland, New Zealand
Average winter temperature in Auckland, New Zealand: 59 – 75 F
A dynamic capital with a pleasant climate, Auckland does a stellar job at providing an urban escape that feels like a true vacation.
It’s loaded with cool sites, notably the emblematic Sky Tower and Waitematā Harbour.
Savor the glorious weather with a trip to Auckland Domain, a historic 200-acre park or hop on a ferry to Waiheke Island.
Get your java fix courtesy of a creamy flat white at one of Auckland’s top-ranked coffee shops.
Delamore Lodge is a 5 star hotel located at 83 Delamore Drive in Auckland.
Hilton Auckland is a 5 star hotel located at Princes Wharf 147 Quay Street in Auckland.
Hotel DeBrett is a 5 star hotel located at 2 High Street in Auckland.
Chasing the Sun in Winter – The Maldives, South Asia
Average winter temperature in The Maldives, South Asia: 71 – 86 F
Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an archipelagic country in the Indian subcontinent of Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean.
It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometres from the Asian continent’s mainland.
There is no bad time to go to the Maldives. There is nothing bad about going to the Maldives at any time ever.
They are perfect little islands, whichever you choose – tiny castaway-fantasy sandy islets, mostly with one immaculate resort, with various levels of splendidness.
Even people who think they will get bored in the Maldives end up loving the Maldives.
They’re family-friendly, and for blissed-out beachy nirvana, they’re hard to beat.
And they’re best of all during the British winter.
Sri Lanka, South Asia
Average winter temperature in Sri Lanka, South Asia: 73 – 83 F
Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia.
It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, and southeast of the Arabian Sea; it is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.
There’s a real buzz about Sri Lanka right now, with those in the know making a beeline for coastal spots south of Colombo.
Bright-green rice paddies and verdant tea plantations make way for gorgeous, golden beaches to the west of Galle. Surfers prize the hippy-chic hangouts and rolling waves that hit the sandy coves to the east.
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Tenerife is one of the few places in Europe that are hot in December.
Average winter temperature in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain: 59 – 70 F
Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, has 42 miles of supreme sand (in black pebble and blonde varieties).
RedLevel at Gran Melia Palacio de Isora – Tenerife puts you right near two of the island’s best: Alcala and Los Gigantes Beaches.
It also makes a great basecamp for day trips to the crater-, volcano- and petrified lava-filled landscape of Teide National Park.
Between refreshing dips in the North Atlantic and driving through the snow-capped peaks of Mount Teide, sneak in a meal at Haydée, where you’ll be served up unique dishes like beet creamy rice, olive octopus risotto, or spicy tuna tartare with cherry sorbet.
Ko Samui, Thailand
Average winter temperature in Ko Samui, Thailand: 73 – 81 F
Ko Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, lies in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus.
It’s known for its palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense, mountainous rainforest, plus luxury resorts and posh spas.
The landmark 12m-tall golden Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai Temple is located on a tiny island connected to Ko Samui by a causeway.
In the realm of tried-and-true vacation destinations, few compare to Ko Samui.
Thailand’s second-largest island and reigning holiday hotspot serves up an intoxicating mix of sandy stretches, coconut groves, dense jungle, mesmerizing temples, and welcoming locals.
There are fantastic places to stay – namely the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui – along with pampering spas, hip bars to watch the sunset, and wonderful restaurants.
Speaking of food, we’d be foolish not to spotlight the flavorful fare.
True to its fishing roots, dishes run the gamut from Thai-style crab curry to tom yum goong (hot-and-sour seafood soup).
Chasing the Sun in Winter – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
One of the top destinations for a hot Christmas, Dubai has it all.
Average winter temperature in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 58 – 79 F
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene.
Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline.
At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music.
On artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks.
Over the past three decades, Dubai has exploded into an international hub of business and tourism.
It’s no accident that glitterati from across the globe journey to this opulent, desert paradise.
Known for its jaw-dropping modern landmarks – most famously the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building – and ultra-glamorous scene, the “City of Gold” certainly lives up to its extravagant nickname.
Add to that, award-winning restaurants, glitzy mega-malls as well as luxurious resorts ( the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah) and high-end business-oriented hotels like The Oberoi Dubai.
Chasing the Sun in Winter – Tips for Tanning in Summer
Take a Shower – Showering before your tanning session can help prepare your skin by moisturizing it. Moisturized skin will allow the tanning process to create a darker and longer lasting tan. Always make sure that you have showered and moisturized before going tanning to have your tan last longer.
Exfoliate your skin – Once you’ve moisturized your skin, it’s time to exfoliate. You want the tanning process to go as deep into your skin as possible. Removing the top layer of skin using exfoliation can help the UV rays reach deeper, making your tan last longer Always exfoliate before tanning to make your tan last as long as possible.Y
You don’t want to tan skin cells that are about to fall away. Exfoliation will remove old skin cells and let the fresh skin cells get the tan.
Keep Your Skin Moisturized – Once you’ve got a good tan, it’s important that you keep your skin moisturized. Dry skin cells will fall away much faster than moisturized ones, causing your tan to fade quickly. Keeping your skin moisturized will help your tan last through the winter months.
Winter is especially dry and will tend to dry your skin out quickly.
Cold winds and air will dry your skin out more quickly than warmer temperatures.
Apply moisturizing lotions often to help protect your skin. Try using heavier lotions in the winter.
Chasing the Sun in Winter – Tips for Tanning in Summer
Many people enjoy spending time in the sun during summer, getting a nice tan in the process.
However, as the seasons change, the days grow shorter and the amount of sunlight decreases.
During the winter months, tans start to fade and can be difficult to maintain.
However, there are still some steps you can take to keep your tan, even during the winter months.
Here Are Tips to Maintaining a Tan Through the Winter Months
MOISTURIZE – During winter, the dry air and cold temperatures can dry out and damage your skin. Dry skin is prone to peeling, which can cause your tan to fade. Applying plenty of moisturizers will protect your skin and help you sustain your summer tan.
Avoid Exfoliating – Exfoliating can bring certain benefits with it. However, when you are trying to maintain a tan, exfoliating can be a bad idea. When you exfoliate, skin cells are removed and they can take your tanned look with them. Always avoid exfoliating when trying to preserve your tan through the winter months.
Use Bronzing Lotion – Applying a bronzing lotion or tanning lotion a few times per week can give your skin a natural, healthy tan. Just be careful not to apply too much. With tanning lotion, you’ll avoid skin damage and give your skin a natural, golden glow.
Take Cool Showers – Long, hot showers and baths can dry out your skin, and dry skin is much more likely to peel. Keep your showers cool and apply moisturizer as soon as your skin dries. You should also consider using a moisturizing shower oil to keep your skin from becoming dehydrated.
Stay hydrated – It’s important that you keep yourself well hydrated when trying to make your tan last through winter. Without proper hydration, your skin will tend to dry up and won’t be as healthy as it could be. This may cause you skin cells to fall away faster than normal, resulting in your tan fading quickly. Always make sure you are drinking plenty of water during the dry winter months to make your tan last longer.
Eat Healthy Foods– Part of having healthy skin is having a healthy diet. Your skin needs certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrition in order to function properly and prevent skin cells from falling away faster than they would otherwise. To make your tan last into the winter months, make sure your diet is healthy and that you eat plenty of foods that are good for your skin.
Wear Lighter Colors – A time-tested trick for making your skin appear darker is to wear white or another light color. A light color next to your face, combined with bronzer and bold lipstick color, is a terrific tan booster.
