Winter Escape: Top Places For Holiday Heat
Top 3 Winter Holiday Travel Destinations
November 1, 2016
Winter Warmth: African and European Island Escape
November 15, 2016
Last week, I introduced my winter holiday travel wish list. As a kid, growing up in Gary, Indiana, I can’t recall one single winter that didn’t feature freezing temperatures and snowstorms. That image of winter became etched in my mind. Blizzard-filled and brutally cold. For me, the holiday season is synonymous with the cold. However, a friend of mine from Ethiopia recently caused me to question my perception of the holidays by raising a valid point:
“I guess it all depends where you grew up…We didn’t have snow during Christmas in Ethiopia and it still felt like Christmas.”
I’m dreaming of a white…warm Christmas?!?
Hearing her words made me realize that the cold weather and the snow DON’T define the season. What does are the local traditions, the food, the festivities, and the people. Whether escaping the cold while snuggled up next to a fire, or enjoying the holiday heat while stretched out on a deserted beach—holiday celebrations can be found across the globe. No matter what a person’s current location is.
With that said, let’s hop on board and take a trip to discover the best places for…
Holiday Heat In The Americas
The Americas
North America: Bermuda
One needn’t look further than the vintage phone booths pictured above to see the influence that Great Britain has had upon this British Overseas Territory. During the holiday season, the soul of the island comes alive during the annual Christmas Walkabout through the town of St. George. Homes of original Bermudians are opened to the public as locals and tourists gather for the annual twilight walk on paths illuminated by candlelight. Bermuda’s location is just a few hours away from many east coast American cities by plane, so it’s not hard to see why more than 75% of its tourists come from the states.
Why Bermuda?
Hotel prices are as much as 50% lower during this time of year. Additionally, you can expect mild temperatures and a chance to view traditional folk styles such as the Gombey dance. If that’s not enough, the lower tourism numbers have one distinct advantage. Less people mean more opportunities to peacefully explore the beautiful island at a relaxed pace.
Central America: Panama
Night view of Centennial Bridge
Yes, the canal pictured above may be instrumental in linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The country of Panama; however, offers much more than just this waterway. Say Feliz Navidad as you celebrate a traditional Latin Christmas, or pull up your yellow underwear on New Year’s Day to bring good luck throughout the year.
Why Panama?
Warm weather and traditional foods welcome visitors to this cost-friendly destination. Its geographic location gives it a unique blend of North, Central, and South American flavor. For my fellow, world-wanderers, you can ensure that your upcoming year is filled with travel-Just walk around your house, or hotel, with a packed suitcase!
South America: Suriname
When people think of a holiday destination in South America, the first place that often comes to mind is Brazil. Heck, I think Brazil is amazing all year-round so I can imagine it only gets better during the holiday season. Sadly, for many, the thought of visiting Brazil’s neighbor to the north often never arises.
Why Suriname?
Well, for the children of Suriname Christmas comes early. Goedoe Pa, Black Santa, leaves presents next to their shoes on December 6th. Travelers heading to this nation, like the children, will see that their Christmas comes early as well—in the form of visits to vast rainforests and interactions with the local inhabitants of the land.
Those that opt to stay until the end of the year can experience a change from the traditional new year’s festivities.
How?
Head to downtown Paramaribo, the capital, and partake in the Owru Yari, Old Year, celebration.
Now that you’ve seen my picks, what locations are on your travel wish list for a winter escape in the Americas?
Come back next Tuesday to discover the best places for holiday heat in the Europe and Africa
26 Comments
Panama is a fascinating place to visit. I’d love to travel there soon. We don’t experience winter in the Philippines, but summer is the best season for me because I could visit a lot of places especially the beaches. Even during Christmas, it’s not that actually cold you can still go to the beaches.
You’re soooo lucky. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the cold, but only in small doses…not for several months at a time!!
Christmas in Panama looks interesting. I plan to go back to Vienna and celebrate my first Christmas there. Not sure with all the planning, but hoping that the trip will push through. Try to include Christmas in Philippines as well. It is an experience!
I really appreciate how you have included the name of Suriname into this list. Can you tell us a bit about the food these areas? Your photographs are so amazing 🙂
I am one of the lucky ones who escapes the winter cold over the Christmas holidays. This year I’ll be heading down to Peru and Chile, in South America. I didn’t think of Suriname being a great destination for winter before. I will check it out, maybe next year I’ll go there.
These are some great options for avoding the cold. Although I live in a diifferent continent, I will soon be needing somethng like ths too. But for me the closest option is a desert safari (yes, the cones with camels.)
I also come from a cold snowy winter kind of a place, but have lived in a hot desert for the last 5 years. It’s interesting how quickly things turn, as I now kind of miss spending the Christmass and New Year’s with snow all around me 🙂
I can completely relate. I’ve been in the desert for the past three winters and it’s a different vibe when you come from snowy surroundings.
I’m in Canada right now so the winter is coming very quickly. I actually had a plan to go to Panama in early 2017 so that could definitely be an option as we get closer and closer into winter. I am not ready for this, haha. Thanks for sharing!
I would love to actually head to the colder zones of the world during winter. I like to experience the place in its natural elements. I know people may think this is crazy, but I find it great fun.
Great list. I find when its cold, I want heat. When I get there though, I want cold again! I Just cant win.
Interesting suggestions. I am not from this part of the world so may not be able to comment on usefulness of this for me. But i am sure people who are planning to go there would find it super useful
Come to Australia for some summertime fun. It will be hot. Great suggestions though and places I have dreamt of visiting but so far away. For now I will just have to keep dreaming.
I would love to visit Bermuda. I was just visiting St. Simons Island in Georgia and I think that would be a great place to add to your warm Christmas list. You can even ride your bike on the long stretch of beach and then indulge in wild Georgia shrimp.
Great ideas for this winter 😀 . I don’t like cold places, so I always look for some hot destination. Actually in these days I was checking out Panama…it’s a great destination since it is located in the central America, so if I wish I’ll be able to go to North or South America 😀
I could really do with some sun right now! Bermuda looks and sounds awesome – that says probably where id pick!!
See ya in Bermuda! haha Great post! We just moved from Texas (hot) to Washington D.C. (cold). I’m already freezing here and now after reading this I want to book a flight somewhere warm and exotic. Thanks for making me scratch that travel bug 🙂
Scratch away, scratch away…all the way to Bermuda 🙂
Great post! I’m from England and our winters are not exactly full of snow however now having lived in Australia for 2 years and Christmas time is HOT, it still takes some time to get used to the heat, but I guess if you’re used to warm whether around the time you don’t know any different!
Thanks for sharing
Exactly. I too currently live in an area where it’s not cold during the holidays so it’s been an adjustment for me also!
I am so not looking forward to another snowy winter in Michigan. I love your idea of going to Bermuda! It’s not too far away from home, but still something new and away from the freezing cold!
Hey, as a fellow midwestern I can relate! I used to love snowy winters as a kid but that time has long passed. Just give me a few days of snow and I’m good! 🙂
Some interesting ideas here; I wouldn’t have thought of them as Christmas holiday destinations. I’m in the UK so was thinking that top photo of Bermuda looked just like home until I saw the palm trees in the background! Perhaps one year I’ll manage to get to the Americas for Christmas – your ideas do sound great.
Well, I imagine Christmas in the UK is pretty awesome as well but, by all means check, please check out Christmas in the Americas should the opportunity arise.
My travel wish list this year is Zumbrota, Minnesota. Colder than hell but my first Christmas with my family in quite a few years. Maybe next year I’ll try Suriname. 🙂
You know, I’ve never actually been to Mn. but I hear it’s quite beautiful. by the way I looked up Zumbrota and I love its slogan: “The only Zumbrota in the world!”