Christmas and New Year celebration with friends and family have been a long standing tradition in most of the Western world, but people living in the cold climate and withstanding the rain and wind on daily basis, actually look for alternatives. After years of being bundled up during the winter days, one starts to wonder if there is any way to spend the holidays in a better way- especially if they are not worried about children's school holidays.
Those with resources could perhaps make a trip to Hawaii or a cruise in Jamaica, but there are many other countries or destinations that are warm and can be fantastic places to visit during these winter months.
Don't fret, you are late to book but not that late either. So quickly book your flights/tickets and hotels, check for visa and get set go. Tickets may be more expensive than otherwise- but that's the price you pay to lie on a sunny beach, while we stay under layers of blanket, shivering in the cold, waiting for the sun at least appear once a week.
There are all kinds of research showing that the cheapest time to book flights and even research showing that hotel prices often drop a month or two out, but the key exception to both of those is around big holidays like Christmas. There are no last-minute deals on flights just before or after Christmas, at least to and from sunshine destinations.
Below are few suggestions for your Christmas-sunshine break:
Goa, India
- December temp: 21-33°C
Goa has been a famous hippie hangout for tourists for decades now, but it’s also popular with families this time of the year, including many from elsewhere in India. Do some research before choosing a beach hotel in Goa, because most of them may not suit you. Room rates are quite reasonable even during this busiest time of the year, although it’s important to note that the cheapest hotels in Goa (and all over India) could be disappointing.
Punta Cana/Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
- December temp: 22-28°C
The Dominican Republic has a reputation for its large all-inclusive hotels at great prices, and its two most popular resort areas are Punta Cana (on the eastern tip) and Puerto Plata (on the northern shore). Each has about 200 hotels to choose from, including dozens of all-inclusive resorts designed to keep you there for your entire stay. The weather and resort prices are similar in both places in late December, so either one would be a fine choice for someone looking for a cheap and warm place to spend a week.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- December temp: 18-30°C
On Mexico’s Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta remains as one of the country’s tourism jewels. Not only has it avoided the safety problems that a few other resort areas have struggled with in recent years, but it’s also regarded as the most interesting and authentic of Mexico’s resort areas.
The weather during Christmas time is pretty much perfect for anyone wanting to escape the cold, and the large international airport also has good deals on flights from many North American cities as well. Hotels for well under £80 per night per couple are easy to find, although if you want a well-located chain hotel you’ll be paying at least a bit more.
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
- December temp: 16-22°C
Tenerife is the most English-language-friendly of Spain’s Canary Islands, which are just west of Morocco (and about the same latitude as central Florida). It’s not nearly as hot as you would like it to be, but it’s still damn nice so it’s very popular among Europeans looking for something warmer.
Partly because it’s not really a great beach season, hotels in Tenerife are still quite cheap during the Christmas holiday period. Most everything else is quite affordable as well. Especially if you are looking for a place with reasonable airfares from elsewhere in Europe, this could be a good choice. The area around Los Cristianos and Playa de la Americas is the easiest for English speakers, and it has the most consistent warm weather as well.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- December temp: 16-26°C
One of the most unusual and luxurious destinations anywhere, Dubai is a huge and booming city with a few nice beaches and an extremely busy airport. The period in late December is one of the nicer times of the year, so it can get pretty crowded during the holidays. The main activity here is shopping at enormous malls filled with all ranges of goods at reasonable prices. Desert safari by the Arabian Nights is well recommended.
(Ref: www.priceoftravel.com)
