This is where you can find sun and warmth in the winter
We really understand that that heavy rain, hail and maybe even approaching snow doesn't exactly make you a happy camper and that you long, crave, and yearn for sun. Fly to one of these destinations, from close by to far away, and you're guaranteed sun. You just need to lie down and bake.
Thailand
Pretty standard but hey, it's 29 to 32 degrees and that's exactly what we want. Park yourself on a bounty island and only come back two weeks later. Maybe you should skip Ko Samui because here it's the rainy season from November to mid-February and we've already had more than enough rain here in the Netherlands.
Flight time:11 hours on a direct flight
Time difference: 6 hours later than in the Netherlands
Miami
People often forget, but it's also nice and warm here all year round. Americans flock en masse to Florida to bridge the winter, so it can be busy, but that also makes it more fun. For those who want more than just lying around and doing nothing, Disney World and Seaworld and the Universal Studios are just around the corner.
Flight time:9 to 10 hours
Time difference: 6 hours earlier than in the Netherlands
The Cape Verde Islands
At a 6-hour flight distance and with only a 2-hour time difference, this is a great destination for a short vacation. Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 islands off the coast of Africa. It's warm and sunny here all year round (around 25 degrees), but in the winter months, it can also be quite windy, so those coming to snorkel might be out of luck, as the sea is too murky for that. However, it's perfect for wind and kite surfing. A few years ago, I was on Sal, one of the larger islands, and you shouldn't come here for the nature. To be fair, it's a bit like Mars, with three blades of grass and a lot of barren misery. I wouldn't recommend Sal too quickly, but the other islands are much prettier.
Flight time:6 hours
Time difference: 2 hours earlier than in the Netherlands
Dominican Republic
Well, it's not very classy and the Dominican Republic goes hand in hand with large mass all-inclusive resorts. But for those who don't care (or actually love it), this is a good spot because there's hardly any rain in the winter months and it's an average of about 25 degrees per day.
Flight time:10 hours
Time difference:5 hours earlier than in the Netherlands
Egypt
Egypt is one of those countries that you definitely need to see at least once in your life, but in the summer months, you might want to avoid it. Walking through the desert at 40 degrees anyone? No thanks. December, January, and February are perfect. Drap yourself on a beach but definitely don't skip Luxor, Cairo, and the pyramids.
Flight time: about 4.5 to 5.5 hours
Time difference: 1 hour later than in the Netherlands
Dubai
In Egypt, you have plenty of culture to take in, while in Dubai, that all falls a bit short. Here, it's all about sunbathing on the beach, sipping drinks by the beach, dining in a fancy restaurant, and drinking cocktails deep into the night in your highest heels and shortest dress. Not very suitable for going with your parents, but it can be a lot of fun with a group of girlfriends. There's literally no city on earth where you can find more five-star hotels, so anyone planning a hostel vacation with a backpack might want to skip Dubai. In December and January, it's almost 30 degrees, so bring your sunscreen in liter bottles.
Flight time: 7 hours
Time difference: 3 hours later than in the Netherlands
Curacao
For those who always find it confusing to speak another language on vacation, Curacao is your solution. They just speak Dutch, there's an Albert Heijn, and you can order a kroket sandwich or a plate of boerenkool at that nice beach hut. A few years ago, I went to the island and honestly, I felt a bit cheated, sitting for 7 hours on a plane and then hearing “good morning” at customs. As if you flew in circles above the Netherlands for 7 hours. But aside from that, it's hot and more of that, and the beaches are numerous.
Flight time: about 7 hours
Time difference: 3 hours later than in the Netherlands
