Winter Sun Suggestions

As we do a lot of work trips throughout the year, the last couple of years we've taken to going on a winter break to try and offset the winter blues. We've been to Tokyo twice and loved it, but this year we were thinking of going somewhere warmer. I'd love some suggestions as to where you'd recommend (if anywhere!) based on our requirements.

What we're looking for:

• A place that's warm in December/January
• A few things to see and do as my OH gets restless otherwise; we like sightseeing, art galleries, museums, beautiful landscapes and maybe some shopping, but I'm aware a lot of this doesn't fit in with a traditional beach type holiday.
• Great food--we'd rather go out to restaurants than do an all inclusive package.
• We're going to the West Coast of the US in April and July, but although I'm aware it might be a good option for winter, too, we'd love to try somewhere new.
• We prefer there to be a reasonable amount of accommodation to choose from that's 4 star and up.
• We're not interested in places like Dubai, anywhere that lists snorkeling as the number one activity, or anywhere we might be kidnapped by pirates
• If VS or partners fly there, that's great, but it's not essential.

All suggestions gratefully received!

Here are a fiew that spring to mind..

Mauritius
Hawaii (not necessarily Oahu but one of the ofther Islands)
Thai Islands
South Africa
Melbourne/Sydney
Rio

The southern Gulf coast of Florida.
Just over 100 miles from Miami airport along the Tamiami trail.
Currently 77F in Naples.
Plenty of restaurants, art galleries, wildlife sanctuaries.
Dick D

Barbados - loads of different things to do from a submarine to zip lining.....and daily VS flights

I second the suggestion for southern florida. One of my best holidays ever included a week's drive down the Keys, no hotels booked in advance, took it as it came. One of the highlights was finding an old shack of a locals bar round the back of a chandlers yard in key largo, listening to a local band, eating fabulous coconut shrimp, and resisting the offers of the formidable bargirl to give me a tattoo.

I too would recommend Florida - but do beware, if you are unlucky, the weather can be quite cold in Jan / Feb.

I was there in January 2010 and let's just say it was cold. The handwriting on the postcards from Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure was bad due to the cold. It was struggling to get above 8C in the day - in the sunshine too. All the bedding plants where we were staying were covered with "plant blankets" every night too.

That said, it can't be too bad over there at this time of year... 4 weeks time and I'll be back there. I'll chance the weather.

I'd second the Hawaii, South Africa and Oz suggestions ( I'm leaving for Oz on Monday myself ).

DL

New Zealand - Auckland for the culture you want, the hotels, restaurants, scenery, the wonderful atmosphere, just a fabulous place. It's almost surrounded by water, but for your beach trip, go up to Bay of Islands, just 150 miles away, and a blissful tropical paradise.

I'm sorry but why would anyone want to leave this wonderful country at this time of the year?
We have been to Hawaii, S Texas, Florida and Arzona in the winter but it is always a relief to get back to the wonderful Lake District.
Please excuse me as I have to put on my waterproofs to reclaim the dustbins from next doors garden!

One word! THAILAND!!!!!
City break and a beach holiday, great food and cheap as chips or as expensive as "the residence" by ethiad. Take your pick.
Internal flights are cheap from Bangkok to the islands and the beaches are stunning (in the right locations away from the backpackers)
I'm in the "tedious" process of sorting out a 17 night holiday in Singapore, Koh samui and Bangkok for January next year.
This will mean flying with the dark side tho!
Darren

Thank you so much, everyone! This has given us some great ideas and food for thought.

Thailand/Thai islands were something I came across in searches and they seemed like an interesting option, so it is great to get endorsements from posters here. Auckland is somewhere I hadn't considered, but I think it would be right up our alley. I'm also quite keen on the idea of Hawaii and will research the various islands--we have friends who go and often stay at the Disney resort there and love it. Finally, I am fascinated to see that Florida gets a big thumbs up; I had always just considered it to be all golf courses and alligators, but my only experience of it was a family holiday many years ago, so I think we'd get more out of it as adults doing as we please. Interesting to hear it ticks all the boxes with a lot of you.

I'm sorry but why would anyone want to leave this wonderful country at this time of the year?
We have been to Hawaii, S Texas, Florida and Arzona in the winter but it is always a relief to get back to the wonderful Lake District.
Please excuse me as I have to put on my waterproofs to reclaim the dustbins from next doors garden!

Hah! Why would we leave indeed

Thank you again, all. Hopefully in the coming months we'll make a decision I can share with you!

The southern Gulf coast of Florida.
Just over 100 miles from Miami airport along the Tamiami trail.
Currently 77F in Naples.
Plenty of restaurants, art galleries, wildlife sanctuaries.
Dick D

Been to Naples 3 times and it's by far one of the best cities In Florida, the whole of the Gulf Coast of Mexico is tremendous