Top Ten Winter Travel Destinations

Winter is the perfect time to escape from the rain, snow, cold and drear doldrums and embrace tropical paradises, steam and slide down mountainous aeries and explore the history and culture of down under. Here are my favorites from nearly thirty years of travel and exploration.

Best Beach Escape Destinations in Winter

Mexico Travel Escapes in Winter

Multiple Cities in Mexico offer up resorts where you can golf, bird, snorkel, dip into blue holes and investigate Mayan and Aztec culture as well as study up on the local industry. Find exotic birds, buy local leather handicrafts, study the architecture of religion or cozy up to a wooden plank table, digging your toes into sand and dine on fresh fish and chips caught in the surf as the sun sets. Truly heaven. My favorite where I found the fresh red snapper fish and chips was on far side of Cozumel island. Hualtulco offers some of the best snorkel, birding and coffee plantation excursions. Mazatlan is memorable for GI Joe parachute toys, booze cruises (where you can spot rare seabirds) and lovely downtown district.

Hawaii Travel Escapes in Winter

In Hawaii, you're likely to find many golf resorts, volcanoes with tropical and desert vegetation, snorkel beaches, pineapple, great entertainment shows and shopping. My favorite island is Kauia with the lovely hiking trail down the coast, caves, many beaches and the famous waterfalls. Maui is notable for sugar cane, lots of golden and quiet beaches, a great drive to the top of Haleakala past tropical gardens and the local birds plus affordable golf. Hawaii, the big Island, will capture you with the gorgeous Japanese garden and tropical garden, Volcano National Park with the lava tubes, horse ranches and a huge variety of beaches and interesting golf. Oahu has the museums, crowded beaches, aquarium, and surfing.

Costa Rica Escapes in Winter

Save money and reap in the wildlife in Costa Rica after you skin wears from all the salt and surf. I loved the mountains best because the birds came through the mist in such variety and sang happily it made birding a true pleasure along with inexpensive accommodations on a plantation with fresh fruit juice made from who knows what. Jaco was my favorite town with a great surf beach, walking beach, horse riding, proximity to National Parks for wildlife and hiking and a terrific price tag. In Cahuita you will find scoundrels, bananas, turtles, great beaches and better and different wildlife. Camping is done.

Best Culture Down Under Winter Travel

Australia Travel Escapes in Winter

Australia is big, with many, many places to visit. The beaches along the Queensland coast at Mackay, Rockhampton and Hervey Bay could easily fit into the best beach escapes, but then you'd miss kangaroo's, coral reefs and snorkeling, tons of National Parks, tropical rainforest, aborigine culture and much more. Dindin National Park in the Atherton tablelands requires a jeep but is well worth spending time.

New Zealand Travel Escapes in Winter

New Zealand is best known for Kiwi's, a type of native ground bird and their soccer (football) team, Maori's and sheep. I loved the South Island with their English style punting in Christchurch, train across the mountains where you can stand outside and take photos, fishing and just about anything.

Peru Travel Escapes in Winter

Except for adjustments to the altitude in many of the cities, Peru is full of history, wildlife, shopping and my favorite part-access to the Amazon where you stick to your clothes, ride riverboats to keep cool and look for wildlife, and wildlife which almost sit on your head.

Best Winter Golfing Travel

Phoenix, Arizona is the location. South of Phoenix in the Green Valley area you can find great condominium golf course packages and access to great museums, wildlife, desert park, native American history and more. But golf is at it's best and you might find a roadrunner or two.

South Carolina and pine heaven make this state premier for winter golfing, but unfortunately I haven't been there so can't comment on it.

Best Winter Ski Resorts

Sun Valley, Idaho Winter Travel Escapes

Climb into a large wooden hot tub, race down slopes, watch the slope action or slip away and see Volcanoes of the Moon and abounding wildlife on your winter vacation.

Whistler, British Columbia Winter Travel Escapes

Beautiful mountains with a many runs, many quite challenging but also for the beginner makes Whistler a great destination to ski. Available condominiums and resorts are plentiful. Nearby Vancouver offers many museums and great restaurants that can add to the fun. Access via railroad makes this ski resort easy to get to and lots of fun on your winter vacation.