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Where There Is No Winter Blues

As winter approaches, most people unconsciously divide into two different groups: those who will enjoy every snowflake outdoors and those who will try to hibernate like bears in a warm den.

Members of the first group will quickly book their winter vacation at one of the snow-covered ski resorts, where the desire for a quick descent will prevail over the craving for hot chocolate. The second group, on the other hand, will soar into the sky like monarch butterflies and try to reach Cuba or Bermuda, where they will attempt to cure their winter blues and easily replace snowflakes with warm rays of sunshine.

Among the top destinations recommended by traveling experts for the latter group are African beaches. Leading the way is Fumba in Zanzibar. It is enchanting between December and February when you can enjoy the clear sea, golden sand, and fantastic sunsets over the ocean. Besides warm Africa, one of this winter’s hot spots is Anse Georgette, a beautiful beach on Praslin Island, declared one of the most beautiful in the Seychelles. If you are a passionate bird watcher, you will surely encounter the endemic black parrot and the Seychelles bulbul from the sparrow family there. If you are ready to venture to the Indian Ocean, then book your place in the sun on the Andaman Islands, especially on Radha Nagar Beach, an untouched volcanic paradise surrounded by forests and incredible beaches.

In an Asian setting, it is not difficult to find more such places. This can easily be confirmed by visiting Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc, with its ten-kilometer-long Bai Dai beach, or the perfect Philippine beaches such as those on Palawan Island. Among Caribbean locations, Tayrona National Park in Colombia stands out, with its famous ‘ecohabs’ (luxury cabins), and Los Roques in Venezuela, while on the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil’s Sao Miguel dos Milagres has recently made its way onto the itineraries of all travelers who value themselves and want to enjoy natural swimming pools, warm emerald waters, and hypnotically calming beaches.

Chained by Ice

If you belong to that second group that does not shy away from winter joys and wants to fully experience a snowy adventure, carefully study which top places you should visit this season. Seasoned skiers will find world-renowned ski resorts waiting for them this winter, such as Girdwood in Alaska, Fernie and Whistler in British Columbia, Canada, Zermatt in Switzerland, Chamonix in France, Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, Aspen in Colorado, Niseko in Japan, Kitzbühel in Austria, or Taos in New Mexico.
You will experience a truly special winter adventure if you decide to vacation in one of the ice hotels. Whether it is the Hotel de Glace in Canada, the Igloo Hotel in Norway, Igloo Village in Switzerland, or the Icehotel in Sweden, you will return from such a winter stay completely transformed and full of stories about what it is like to sleep in luxurious interiors carved from ice. Among them, the largest ice hotel in the world stands out, located in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, built 20 years ago from 30,000 tons of ice. Enjoying the stunning polar light, an overnight stay will cost you $375, and breakfast, morning sauna, and thermal clothing are included in the price.

If you want to spend your winter vacation outdoors without excessive snowboarding and skiing stunts and enjoy unusual icy scenes, book a trip to one of the destinations where snow festivals are held. The Yuki Matsuri, a snow festival in Sapporo, Japan, attracts two million visitors to the city every February, who enjoy snow and ice sculptures, concerts, and entertainment on ice.
The Longqing George Ice Lantern Festival takes place in Yangqing, 90 kilometers northwest of Beijing, in a canyon that climbers visit in summer. In winter, the area is transformed into a wonderland with over 400 ice sculptures that reflect light. There, along with a special icy delight, you can also lace up your skates or get your dose of adrenaline by bungee jumping from a 50-meter-high platform.