Top 4 Spectacular Winter Sun Soaked Getaways

Get rid of those winter blues! Come feast your eyes on these four fantastic winter sun getaways, a hedonistic pick-me-up of cerulean skies, balmy shores, and sand tickling your toes.

The Maldives

The magnificent Maldives are a remote archipelago of 1200 islands spread across the Indian Ocean. The islands have long attracted honeymooners and well-heeled holidaymakers looking for a sleek, tropical retreat, and over 100 of them are home to a single luxurious private resort. The Maldives have become more accessible to budget-conscious travelers in recent years, thanks to improved transportation and an increase in guesthouses and mid-range accommodation.

Time slows once you arrive in this beautiful paradise. Unwind in a spa, and dine on stunningly fresh seafood. Visit the Maldives National Museum and the atmospheric fish market in the tiny capital city of Malé. Take a sunset boat trip to spot dolphins jumping the waves. Dive and snorkel in wonderfully clear, warm waters, where you’ll spot tropical fish, whale sharks and sea turtles amongst the coral reefs. Snorkel with giant manta rays in Hanifaru Bay, and if you’re an experienced diver, get up close to hammerhead sharks at Rasdhoo Atoll.

Dubai

Dubai, the UAE’s second largest emirate, is known for its glitzy skyscrapers that tower over the Persian Gulf. In addition to high-end shopping and nightlife, the city is well-known for its stunning architecture. The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is located here. Its 148th floor observation deck, which pierces the clouds at a whopping 2,716 feet, provides breathtaking views of the city (book advance tickets online for reduced rates). It is home to the most visited shopping mall on the planet, as well as a spectacular ‘dancing’ water fountain.

Visit the enticing Madinat Jumeirah, a modern dining, shopping, and hotel complex modeled after a traditional Arabian city. Explore the ornate souk before boarding a traditional abra (wooden motor boat) for a 2.5-mile trip along scenic, tree-lined canals. At the complex’s numerous bars and restaurants, you can sample delicious Middle Eastern and international cuisine. Check out Dubai’s miles of fine white sand beaches, which are lapped by the Persian Gulf’s warm azure waters. JBR Open Beach and Al Mamzar are two beautiful stretches of sand that are open to the public, whereas the majority of the beaches on the manmade Palm Jumeirah cater to luxury hotels.

The Seychelles

The sun-drenched Seychelles archipelago, east of Kenya and just south of the equator, consists of 115 tropical islands in the Indian Ocean’s turquoise waters. The main tourism isles are Mahe, La Digue, and Praslin, which have luxury spa resorts and powder white sands fringed by jungle and dotted with striking granite boulders. Visit Mahe’s teeny-tiny capital, Victoria, which is brimming with colorful colonial architecture and bustling markets. Visit the National Botanical Gardens of Seychelles. This 100-year-old estate on 15 lush acres is home to the rare Coco de Mer palm, which is native to the Seychelles. Explore the leafy avenues lined with hibiscus, orchids, and fruit and spice trees. Hike through the jungle and meet the mangroves in mountainous Morne Seychellois National Park.

Mauritius

This small jewel in the Indian Ocean is an excellent winter sun destination. Summer lasts from November to April, luring visitors with bath-warm seas, long sunny days, and temperatures in the upper 20s. Mauritius’ cultural influences are a vibrant mix of Indian, French, African, and Chinese influences. Hindu temples coexist with mosques, colonial homes, tea plantations, and puri food stalls.

Mauritius is surrounded by coral reefs, which provide excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities. The roads on the islands are well maintained, so why not rent a car and explore? The majority of tourists visit Grand Baie in the north and the east coast, while the island’s south is verdant, rugged, and less developed.

Shoppers should go to Port Louis’ bustling capital, where the Caudan Waterfront has fashion boutiques and craft stalls. At the food hall in the central market of the old town, you can sample authentic Mauritian cuisine. Visit a rum distillery and try the island’s famous export.

Nature lovers should make their way to the peaceful Pampelmousse Botanical Gardens. Explore over 650 exotic plants and flowers, including the eye-catching giant waterlilies that adorn the central pond. Hikers should visit the volcanic Chamarel Mountains, which are cloaked in rainforest, as well as Black River Gorges National Park, where well-marked trails pass plunging waterfalls and dramatic peaks. Beachgoers can snorkel amongst colorful tropical fish on the coral reefs of Ile Plat (Flat Island), as well as bask and swim on the beautiful Ile aux Cerfs.

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions are subject to change at any time. It is ultimately your responsibility to decide whether or not to travel. Before traveling, contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements. Lindela Travel does not recommend defying government advisories.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3oUCvtQ