Best Vacation Destinations to Escape the Cold of Winter

With the exception of those living in tropical areas, the northern hemisphere is diving into its cold months. That means less daylight, wearing warmer clothing, turning on the heater and trying to avoid cabin fever. To steer clear of winter blues, many take a break from the cold via a winter vacation. But, are all winter vacation destinations equal? Which ones are the most popular? And how can you stretch the travel dollar once you’ve decided on a destination?

For domestic trips, Lita of the Pack recommends:

• Key West, Florida: You can’t get any further South in the United States than Key West. As such, it’s the perfect place to escape colder climates.

• Sedona, Arizona: If you’re looking for that Southwest desert vibe, this is your answer.

• Joshua Tree and Palm Springs, California: Experience the Southern California culture while hiking through unique landscapes only viewable here.

• Austin, Texas: This great city of the Lone-Star State has a local scene you can’t miss. From food, to music, to art, this place has it all.

• Moab, Utah: The perfect getaway for the outdoors crowd. Experience two national parks. Climb rocks and go on off-road hikes. This is a can’t-miss destination.

For more of an international experience, here is just a bit of what Adventures of Alice suggests:

• Bangkok, Thailand: Spend time exploring this unique city with its culture, markets, rooftop views and archeological sites.

• Cancun, Mexico: The winter months are among the most popular for this tropical destination because of its beautiful beaches and mostly sunny days with average temperatures hovering around 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Krabi, Thailand: If Bangkok is just a bit too big for your taste, try Krabi – a land of green mountains, flourishing forests and sandy beaches.

• Costa Rica: December is one of the best months to visit this land because of its low chances for rain, warm weather and lower humidity.

• Cape Town, South Africa: Looking for something a bit more off the beaten path? Cape Town is a good choice with its city life, wineries, restaurants, shopping, natural beauty and more – there’s something for everyone here.

In addition to these five, Adventures of Alice mentions additional international destinations as follows: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Goa, India; Oahu, Hawaii; La Paz, Mexico; Jamaica; Cartagena, Columbia; Antigua, Guatemala; Bali, Indonesia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico as top picks. Read the entire article for details on these locations, and their status as top winter vacation spots.

Don’t Let the Cost of Taking a Winter Vacation Worry You

Vacations aren’t cheap. Harvard Federal Credit Union offers some good tips for taking your winter vacation on a sensible budget.

Tips include:

• Doing a house swap: If you know someone who lives in a location you wish to visit, consider working out a house swap with them. By doing this, you could save a ton in lodging costs.

• Avoiding weekends: Flight costs are more expensive on the weekends. Plus, taking your vacation during the week means smaller crowds. Also, many restaurants, museums, bars and attractions offer mid-week discounts and specials.

• Keeping it domestic: There’s nothing wrong with taking international trips. But if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of great tropical locations right here in the United states that can be visited for a fraction of the cost required for international trips.

• Finding free activities: From hiking, to sightseeing, to people watching, there is a lot one can do without spending a dime.

• Using credit cards wisely: Use credit cards to get rewards points and for tracking purposes. But only use them to the extent of what you had budgeted and know that you can pay off before accruing interest and fees.

In addition, this Harvard Federal Credit Union article mentions the importance of considering travel insurance. It states that travel insurance is generally very affordable considering the benefit it offers. This is especially pertinent when traveling to tropical places because weather can come into play and cause unforeseen expenses. For example, what happens if the resort you are planning to stay at gets hit by a major hurricane or tsunami either right before you go on your trip, or while you are there. Travel insurance can cover your evacuation fees. Also, it can protect your vacation fund from loss if you are unable to go because of these reasons.

But does travel insurance do more than just protect against weather events? It does. In basic terms, travel insurance is a great way to hedge against loss due to a myriad of situations. Besides weather-related situations, travel insurance can offer protection for when:

• You require medical assistance while on vacation
• Are quarantined due to coronavirus
• A death in the family means you are not available to go on your trip
• Personal illness makes it so you can’t travel
• Political instability makes traveling to your destination ill-advised

The above-shown list is not exhaustive. As you can see, travel insurance can be a very useful tool in protecting your travel investment. But where can you get travel insurance? And how do you know it is the right coverage for you?

Travel Insurance Center^® is a good place to get travel insurance. They’re not an insurance company, but an insurance aggregator. Their team of travel insurance experts are licensed and experienced. They have access to a multitude of insurance carriers and can do the research to find plans that meet your specific needs, at premiums you can afford.

If you’re taking a break this winter for a warm-weather vacation, consider the popular destinations noted in this article. Also, don’t forget your travel insurance. Call Travel Insurance Center at 1.866.979.6753 to receive a no-obligation quote that’s tailored to your specific needs and budget.