Warm Escapes: Reasons To Spend Your Winter Holidays In A Sun-Drenched Destination

For most of us, the winter holidays are synonymous with icy weather, snowy mountaintops, hot drinks enjoyed in front of a crackling fireplace, the sound of carols playing everywhere – set off by Mariah’s seasonal defrosting – and layers upon layers of warm clothes. However, your holidays can look a lot different if you only dare to embrace a new perspective and spend Christmas in an unconventional way, someplace warm and sunny. 

Some might be reluctant to break their yearly routine and stray from long-held festive traditions, and it’s easy to understand why. Apart from the comfort of familiarity, there’s a special magic and charm that come with being in a winter wonderland, which makes people flock to quintessential Christmas destinations for the holidays. 

Nevertheless, jetting off to an exotic location for the end-of-the-year celebrations comes with plenty of perks as well. So, here are a few reasons why you should consider skipping the slopes this season and swapping the traditional snow-filled holidays with a sun-soaked winter getaway.  

The Weather 

Obviously, the warm weather is the main selling point for visiting tropical destinations in winter. While others are busy shovelling snow, scraping ice off their cars’ windshields, and wrapping themselves up in multiple layers every time they have to leave the house, you’ll be lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun and getting tanned instead. 

With warm weather, you also get to enjoy all sorts of fun activities that you wouldn’t be able to relish in a cooler climate, like beach games, sailing trips, snorkelling, paddleboarding, surfing, and many other exciting water sports. You can book guided tours and experience amazing adventures while admiring the lush green landscapes, all while wearing the breeziest outfits. As a bonus, you get to travel light as you won’t have to pack thick clothes that take up a lot of space in the luggage. 

The Tranquillity

Winter holidays should be a time of peace and tranquillity, but they rarely are. Between trying to find the perfect presents for everyone, decorating the house, preparing traditional dishes from scratch, and attending parties and events, the holiday season can be quite stressful and exhausting. 

Spending Christmas in an exotic location gives you the opportunity to get away from all the hustle and bustle so you don’t get caught up in the chaos that ensues around the holidays. There’s no cooking, no gift hunting, and no family drama to worry about. If you pick a destination that doesn’t get much tourist traffic during winter months, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds and have yourself a holly jolly Christmas, as intended.  

The Novelty 

When was the last time you got to wear a swimsuit or your favourite pair of designer swim shorts on Christmas? Probably never. Well, if you book a trip to a warm-weather destination, you get to do that and many other interesting and exciting things that you’ve never experienced before. 

You may be fond of timeless Christmas traditions, which surely make for great memories, but sticking to the same habits and customs year after year can become a bit dull at some point, so why not try something different for once? If you feel the need for a change of pace, it might be high time to break out of your comfort zone and plan a getaway to a more inviting climate. This will give you the opportunity to escape the winter chill and establish new traditions that you’ll come to cherish just as much.

The Savings 

We all know that the holidays also bring a lot of financial pressure as the list of purchases expands with all sorts of extra expenses that can leave one feeling stressed out and anxious about their budget. While a bit of moderation and restraint wouldn’t hurt, you can also save money by renouncing all these usual holiday purchases and paying for a tropical holiday instead. 

It’s generally cheaper to travel to warm places during winter since this is the shoulder season for most holiday destinations, so costs for all types of products and services are usually lower. Tour operators offer great deals and discounted rates for flights and accommodation across many such locations, which can result in substantial savings. Obviously, if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll have to establish a well-thought-out spending plan, but you have plenty of opportunities to plan a memorable holiday for less. 

The Vit D 

With shorter days and longer nights limiting our exposure to sunlight, it’s expected to have lower vitamin D levels in winter. Eating certain foods and taking supplements as prescribed by the doctor can bring back vitamin D to normal ranges, but spending more time in the sun is the most effective and natural way to fix this issue. 

Apart from boosting vitamin D naturally, you’re also more likely to get off the couch and engage in all sorts of physical activities when the sun is shining up in the sky, as opposed to the hibernation mode you’d enter if you spent your whole winter in a cold climate. So, if you want to look after your health, a sunny winter holiday might be just the thing you need. 

As for psychological benefits, moderate exposure to sunlight is said to increase the release of serotonin, which can improve mood and help you feel calmer and more focused. A quick trip to a warm place can be a great way to beat the winter blues, especially if you’re prone to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 

A warm winter sun break might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the festive season and Christmas-related traditions, but it could be a welcome change of pace in your winter routine. So, don’t hesitate to switch things up this year and celebrate the holidays in a new way, in an exotic location.