Travelling during wintertime must be a part of my DNA. I cannot think of one winter where I have not escaped the cold. This winter is the first time that I decided to stay home. I have some exciting destinations this year and wanted to save some more coins. For the first time that I have noticed the lack of sunlight that penetrates my windows in January. The dark grey clouds and the artic winds pushing sub-zero temperatures have been my current greeting cards. The occasional glimpse of the snow capped mountain tops makes it a little bit better. With the candles lit and my tea brewing, I reminisce and appreciate my past winter sun destinations. When I do see five minutes of sun, the smile that finds its way on my face is priceless.
For those of you that prefer to spend a significant amount of time basking in some sun, you are not alone. Whether it is milder temperatures closer to home, or a tropical bucket list adventure, here are some of my favourite places to catch some winter sun.
What is so special about winter sun destinations?
Until recently, winter sun destinations were not a part of my common vocabulary. I think I stumbled on it a couple of years ago and it just stuck. It is not a secret that the only people that love wintertime are the skiers and snowboarders. That is their time to thrive. For those that like to hibernate in the winter months and are fans of the sun, tend to find that winter is a little bit too long to not enjoy some sunlight. That is why winter travel to countries that are closer to the equator and/or with tropical temperatures see an influx of travellers ready to land on their shores.
Whenever I am looking for a destination, I want to have an adventure. That has always been my number one criteria. I have always been curious about the world and am always seeking out new experiences. Some of the countries that I have travelled to, are either well-known and popular destinations or are less-known. Once my time is up there, I come back inspired full of stories and ready to plan my next adventure.
Winter Sun Destinations In Africa
The Seychelles
In January 2023, I took myself to my first solo international trip to The Seychelles and it was paradise on earth! From its gorgeous beaches, land and water activities galore, the culture and the amazing food, there was nothing not to love. It is a group of 115 islands located in the Indian Ocean off the shores on East Africa and three of the islands (Mahé, Praslin and La Digue) are inhabited.
What made this destination a special winter sun location was the ability to go island hopping every couple of days. I chose to visit all three islands and had a range of unique activities to do on each island. It is an all-year round destination with average temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30 °C in January and February. For me, this was the best time to visit as it is shoulder season so the prices were more affordable.
Winter Sun Destinations in the Caribbean
St. Kitts
In December 2023, I ended my year with one last international trip with one of my sister to the island of St. Kitts. This was my third Caribbean island to visit and I would love to visit more islands in the future. St. Kitts is the larger of the two sister Caribbean islands that comprise the nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. From its beautiful beaches with impressive rain forested mountains and a culture infused with a pulsing soca beat, it is an island worth knowing.
What makes this island a perfect winter sun location is that it is a place that is not crowded and is not spoiled by over-tourism. It feels like you have escaped the world to make memories somewhere new. I stayed there for a week and my favourite activity was the night time kayaking in the Caribbean Sea. The temperatures are pleasant all-year round but they do have a hurricane season which I recommend avoiding at all costs. While I was there, the average temperatures were between 28 °C to 30 °C with the humidity staying constant at 78 to 80%. This was the best time for me to go because I was able to attend their SugarMas (Carnival) which takes places between Christmas and New Year.
Winter Sun Destinations in Asia
Vietnam
In January 2024, I took myself on my second international solo trip to Vietnam and it was magical and chaotic. I think the combination of those two words made it so exciting. From its stunning landscapes, pristine bays and beaches surrounded by islands and islets, fascinating agricultural villages, it is one destination that you are definitely going to revisit. It is a Southeast Asian country bordering the Gulf of Thailand, the Gulf of Tonkin and the South China Sea. To this day, it is still difficult for me to summarise Vietnam but it is the most interesting outdoor adventure area that you will ever experience.
What makes this country an amazing choice for a winter sun destination is that it is living and breathing postcard. Everywhere you go, you are going to encounter a different experience. Whether you are in the rural and agricultural villages, the cities or the bays, there is just this soulful aura that you feel when you are there. In addition, there are a variety of activities that you can do while enjoying the scenery. It is an affordable budget destination. The temperatures vary depending on whether you are visiting the North, Central or the South. For me, January was the best time to visit as I was able to witness the preparations for Lunar New Year.
Thailand
After seven magical days in Vietnam, I hopped over to spend some time in Thailand. I don’t need to explain why this country is probably the number one winter sun destination for a lot of tourists and travellers alike. Regardless, I am still going to give you my two cents.
From its phenomenal food, beautiful and opulent architecture, and jungle-draped mountains, it is a sight to see. Thailand is a Southeast Asian country located in the centre of the Indochina peninsula bordering Myanmar on the northwest side, Laos on the northeast side, Cambodia on the southeast and the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia on the south. Due to its location, I would recommend adding an additional country to your itinerary to spend more time on the continent.
What makes Thailand a fantastic winter sun destination is the peaceful retreat and the cultural getaway in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai definitely saved my trip to the country. The first reason, I was feeling much better and could do more activities. The second reason was finding an ethical elephant sanctuary where I was able to give back and also learn more. Most people flock towards the islands which makes sense but I would recommend spending some time in the mainland because there are a few underrated places that deserve more attention.
Final Thoughts On Winter Sun Destinations
Of course there are other endless possibilities for those of you seeking more winter sun destinations that are based in Europe such as Ibiza, Portugal, and countries closer to the Mediterranean. Whatever type of trip that you’re dreaming of, I want you to know that there are plenty of perfect options waiting for you. All I know is that next year I will be back to travelling during the winter months. Staying at home during winter is not a part of my DNA at all.
I hope that this post has encouraged you to reminisce about your past winter sun destinations. If you haven’t travelled during winter, I hope that you will think about travelling to these destinations. Make sure to hit that subscribe button to join the community and never miss out on a post. Find me on Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok for more powerlifting and wellness content.
Until next time,
Folakemi
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