Where to Find the Warmest Resorts in Winter
Every winter, at roughly the same time, the same thought starts to creep in. You look out the window and see grey skies, snow, people wrapped in scarves, and cars covered in drifts. Then you remember those photos of someone sitting by the ocean in a T-shirt, drinking coffee and not thinking about the fact that it is January.
The best part is that places like this are not some unattainable dream. There are plenty of them, and some are closer than they seem. A few hours on a plane, and instead of reaching for a winter coat, you are looking for your sunglasses.
The Canary Islands are one of those places. Many people choose them in winter because the weather here is nothing like a typical January. You can head outside in light clothing in the morning, pick up a takeaway coffee and stroll along the ocean. No one is in a hurry, the waterfront cafés are open, and people sit at tables outdoors.
The strangest feeling comes in the evening. Out of habit, you expect the temperature to drop sharply, but somehow it never does. You can keep walking for hours, listening to the waves without even thinking about warm clothes.
In Mauritius, the feeling of winter disappears completely. After a few hours, you stop thinking about short daylight hours and freezing temperatures back home. There are palm trees, a warm ocean and sunshine that seems almost constant.
Sometimes you simply walk along the shore and realise you have stopped keeping track of time altogether. There is no need to rush anywhere, look for entertainment or keep checking your phone. A simple walk and the sound of the waves are enough.
Oman is rarely the first place that comes to mind for a winter holiday, but it should be. It does not feel like a destination where the only thing to do is lie on the beach. During the day, you can wander through old quarters, explore local markets, stop for coffee with a sea view or visit historic forts.
Because the heat is not overwhelming, walking around is genuinely pleasant. You do not feel the need to look for air conditioning or shade every ten minutes.
In Zanzibar, you quickly stop looking at the clock. No one rushes anywhere in the morning. You can linger over breakfast, then head to the ocean and simply walk along the water. Fishermen pull their boats ashore, children play beneath the palms, and the waves roll almost silently onto the white sand.
It feels as though the whole island moves at a much slower pace. After a few days, you begin to notice that you are no longer rushing either.
Many people discover Cabo Verde almost by accident. Some see photos, others come across affordable flights, and then unexpectedly want to return. It does not feel like a huge resort surrounded by endless crowds.
During the day, it is lovely to stroll along the ocean, and in the evening, stop by a small café. Sometimes there is live music, with people sitting peacefully at their tables and going nowhere in a hurry. For some reason, these are the evenings you remember most.
Tulum in Mexico also quickly changes the way you think about a holiday. It may seem that people come here only for the beaches, but after a day or two you start noticing other things: small coffee shops, quiet streets, bicycles instead of endless traffic, and people who seem to have forgotten what rushing feels like.
A few days pass so peacefully that, once you are home, it still feels as though the holiday ended far too soon.
That is probably why so many people head to warm destinations in winter. It is not only about getting a tan or taking beautiful photos. Sometimes what you want most is simply to forget about frost, heavy coats and dark evenings for a few days.
Then return home with the feeling that, in the middle of winter, you managed to change the season for a little while.