If you dread the seasonal slump each year, a warm weather escape is perfect for you to ditch the chill and bask in the sun. Here are a few incredible sun-soaked destinations for you to check out this winter.
Palm Springs, California
With its sublime warm weather, stunning scenery, bold architecture, boutique hotels, and flourishing culinary scene, the stylish desert oasis of Palm Springs has long been a luxe and trendy gateway. The L’Horizon Hotel, designed by famed William F. Cody, with lavish and vintage furnishings, was once the playground for Hollywood elites like Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and many others. The nearby Aerial Tramway is an 11-minute, thrilling cable car ride taking passengers to a height of 500-feet to face Mount San Jacinto. After the ride head to the Purple Palm to ease your queasy stomach with nouvelle Mediterranean fare and strong drinks.
Negril, Jamaica
Jamaica is no doubt the ideal getaway with its postcard-perfect beaches, soulful vibes, and alluring cruises. But if you seek somewhere quaint and quintessential, ditch the touristy cruise ports and head instead to Negril on the secluded western tip of the island. This quiet beachside town boasts of charming luxury cliffside pads like the Caves, Rockhouse Hotel, etc. The local favorite 3 Dives lets you tuck into delicacies like lobster with a live reggae side, or open-fire jerk chicken. End your day watching a scenic sunset at Seven Mile Beach, next to the turquoise water. It’s the perfect Jamaican day!
Kauai, Hawaii
If venturing outdoors is your thing, Kauai is perfect for you. Kauai is the oldest and greenest of the Hawaiian islands, adorned with verdant hills, towering cliffs, gushing waterfalls, and plunging valleys. Take a Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour of the Waimea Canyon for a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the island. A thrilling sailboat ride around the Na Pali coastline gives you the exotic view of fluted walls, thousand feet long sheer ridges rising from the blue water, and majestic valleys. A collection of uptown cottages like the Lodge at Kukui’ula offer comfortable stays all year long.
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Tenerife is the largest island of the Canary Islands in Spain. This tropical and warm destination boasts 42 miles of beachline with supreme sand in various blonde shades. Los Gigantes Beach and Alcala Beach are two of the island’s best beaches. RedLevel at Gran Melia Palacio de Isora makes a great basecamp for a day trip to the Teide National Park, home to a magnificent crater, volcano, and petrified lava-filled landscape with snow-capped peaks of Mount Teide. Head to Haydee to savor some unique dishes like olive octopus risotto, or spicy tuna tartare with cherry sorbet.
Some of the Best Trails to Hit for an Amazing Wellness Walk
They say nature is the body’s best medicine. Whether you need healing or not, hikes or long walks through nature are a great way to find peace and clarity among the trees or wide-open spaces. Completing a long and challenging trail can be rewarding in many ways, from understanding and appreciating historic trails to a sense of confidence from completing a personal goal. For anyone planning to make such a journey, here are a few great trails that have much to offer:
Japan’s Pilgrim Trail
For over a millennium, pilgrims have been trekking the sacred paths of Japan’s Kii Peninsula in search of spiritual wellness and renewal. Today, any adventure-seeking enthusiast can follow in their footsteps along the Kumano Kodō. This famous trail was conceived as a test for the body, spirit, and mind. Legends say that the Kii Peninsula was home to primal nature spirits. These trails were named a World Heritage site in 2004. There are seven Kumano trails to choose from, and most of them pass by some of the most sacred Japanese sites.
The Grand Descent
Taking walks through the Grand Canyon is no easy task. One of America’s greatest wonders, there is hardly another place on Earth as inviting to geologists as this famous canyon. With over a mile depth, the layers of rock, earth, fossils, and sediments can take scientists on a trip back in time. The amazing view of the canyon from above and a more intimate look at its trails and the nature thriving at the bottom are more than worth the trip for any ambitious hiker.
A Wellness Walk Through the Balkan Trail
This 120-mile hiking trail passes through three nations and trekking it takes two weeks. To create the trail, its founders mapped the pathways known only to local shepherds. Many local farmers have opened guesthouses along the trail to take in hikers looking for shelter and a hot meal. The entire trail is painted with amazing sites, untamed nature, and fresh, crisp air. The welcoming shepherds and knowledgeable guides are always happy to share stories about the region and its history.