 |
Top Ten Winter Travel Destinations |
| |
Posted On: 26-10-2009 |
336 Views |
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 Cahurita 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 made this ski resort easy to get and lots of fun on your winter vacation.
|
|
