The 5 places you want to go to escape the cold
The summer makes me the happiest. Or well, the sun makes me the happiest. From November, I heavily rely on vitamin D to minimize that winter depression a bit, but it will never be my hobby. That winter. The cold. But the worst part: the short days. I get a kind of prolonged jet lag that only goes away in March. I just don't get it. Yes, okay, the clock does tell me that it is now seven o'clock in the evening, but that doesn't feel right, because feeling time is half past one at night and I should have been in bed long ago. Short circuit in my head. So when the starter is served during the Christmas dinner, I feel like I'm devouring some kind of midnight snack. Does that sound familiar? Then you probably want to be as far away as possible during these depressing days, just like me. And this is where you want to go.
It may seem a bit different from the sunny Ibiza that we mainly know in the summer, but in the winter I also find it perfectly fine to stay here. A little tapa here, a little tapa there, a glass of wine — just a holiday feeling, you know. The plus is that it is not hugely crowded on the island, there is no influx of tourists all heading to Pacha. Just relaxing, and you don't have to be afraid of burning after half an hour (because everyone is a bit ghostly around this time, right?).
Cape Verde
Okay, maybe not the most exciting destination, but very doable on a budget, just two hours time difference and still some sunshine. You can completely finish it off by booking an all-inclusive hotel, so you don't have to leave the resort at all. This is a top destination if you want to do as little as possible with as much sun as possible. Great combo.
Gambia
If you really want that sun but want to do a bit more, then this is a good option. Quite affordable too, by the way. You have different beaches here, but you can also do a lot of excursions and the people are super friendly. Culture sniffing meets sunbathing. Oh yes, and you can spot monkeys here. Love it.
Dubai
In Dubai, it is actually always hot, but so hot that in the summer it is actually unbearable. Unless your favorite temperature is around 42 degrees. Mine is not, so the average temperature of 26 degrees in December is more than fine for me. Anyway, it’s a city you want to have visited at least once. So bizarre and different from what I have seen before. And a desert safari is just really amazing.
Peloponnesos
What applies to Spain also applies to Greece, in my opinion. Great food, beautiful nature, and much quieter than in the high season. The ultimate holiday feeling, even if you might have to wear your sweater instead of your bikini. The Peloponnesos peninsula is my favorite destination in Greece, so it’s not surprising that it’s also my recommendation. The islands are of course also an option, but it will probably be a bit colder and windier there. Plus: the Kalamata olives come from there, so you have them in abundance and they always taste better in Greece. better in Greece.
P.S.: Yes, you can of course also just go to the Maldives, Bora Bora, St. Barths, Hawaii… But I kept it a bit more realistic. If you are the lucky one who actually goes to a tropical island, please do not send me any photos. I can't handle my jealousy. And have fun.
