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Luxury Destinations To Cure Your Winter Blues

Natasha Bazika

Contributor

Does the weather have you cooped up by the fire, dreaming of summer days? Don’t fret, we’re here to help you thaw those winter blues with 10 luxury destinations that are just what the doctor ordered. As prescribed, here is a list of great destinations, from tropical islands to picturesque Mediterranean coasts and a trip to a European imperial city. Taking a trip every six to eight weeks should keep the blues at bay.

Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua’s corrugated coasts and charming coves lapped by cerulean waters are a sight for sore eyes if you've been in the depths winter for months. Known for its candy-coloured villages, rum-infused history, and infamous English Harbour, Antigua is a quintessentially Caribbean island, with a little extra luxury added to it. 

For those looking for an extravagant getaway, opt-in for Carlisle Bay, a plush resort looking out over white sand and turquoise water, with a backdrop of an emerald green rain forest. Set on the south shore, guests will love the peaceful surrounding, yet still enjoying being in close proximity to a lively local area. 

Antigua

Seychelles

This fabled paradise sits in the Indian Ocean and is home to talcum powder beaches, nature reserves, coral reefs and one of the top Four Seasons resorts in the world. As with island living, guests will find beauty in slow living, especially when perched up a granite hillside and in the comfort of your tree-house villa. The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles offers days spent lounging by the pool, indulging in a sunset meal on a deserted beach, and playing in the waters of Petite Anse Bay. 

Seychelles

The Amalfi Coast

If you haven’t heard yet, the Amalfi Coast is a sight to behold. As one of Italy’s most memorable destinations, it can be overrun with tourists during summer, which makes winter the perfect time to visit. The stretch of Mediterranean bliss still has the charm and warm rays, but between November and January, it is open to those who would rather avoid the summer crowds and revel in the magic that is the coast.

Stop in Positano for its restaurants and fashionable retailers and Sorrento for the high-pedigree hotels and plunging cliffs that offer great views. The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria has all the luxury you will ever need on this Amalfi Coast trip. The 19th Century grande dame is perched on a cliff above the port and has even attracted the likes of the Queen of Sweden with its sea views.

Amalfi

St. Lucia

Blessed by volcanic remnants, St. Lucia is rich in culture and geographic wonders, but most importantly it’s blessed with year-round sunshine. The island is home to several luxury hotels from Marigot Bay Resort and Marina to the Royalton St. Lucia Resort and Spa—all offering pampering spas, dining and outdoor pools with direct access to the beach. For those looking for something different, Jade Mountain Resort is a palace in the sky. Rising above a 600-acre beach, guests will truly revel in sweeping views of the island from its volcanic peaks to its Caribbean coastline. As a bonus, each sanctuary (suite) comes with its infinity pool, so you can swim to the edge and soak up the magnificent views.

St. Lucia

Anguilla

Escape to Anguilla, a British Overseas territory riddled with coconut palms, colourful beach bars, feisty rum punches, vibrant reefs and a collection of luxury 5-star resorts complete with ocean views. The CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa is a great option for those who enjoy an upmarket beachfront resort with a world-class Greg Normal golf course, Mediterranean styling, and an epicurean wonderland.

The Four Seasons Resort Anguilla also offers an extravagant getaway on the north side of the island, spanning 35-acres and overlooking Meads and Barnes Bays. Guests can also take advantage of the Caribbean waters by chartering a yacht and sailing to St.Maarten for a romantic lunch.

Anguila

Grenada

Grenada, also known as spice island, welcomes luxury travellers with a plethora of idyllic sandy beaches, lush green hills and the smell of nutmeg in the air. Choose from the all-inclusive couples-only resort, Sandals Grenada for a romantic escape or revel in fine-dining, ocean views, and scuba diving excursions at the Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel on the Southwest coast. As with most Caribbean islands, Grenada has year-round sunshine, with the added exception of a rain shower or two, making it a great place to thaw the winter blues. 

Grenada

Belize

Belize has one foot in the Central American jungle and the other in the Caribbean Sea. It is known for the mysterious Blue Hole, Mayan archaeological sites and of course its abundance of pristine beaches filled with friendly snorkelling experiences.

As for the home base, Káana Resort is nestled deep in the tropical jungle and offers a boutique-style resort, focusing on wellness and personalised service. This oasis is also on the doorstep of an Ancient Maya City.

For an even more secluded stay, Royal Belize is a completely private island offered to one guest party at a time. The island offers 5 luxury suites and a spacious bunkhouse as well as access to the Belize Barrier Reef, a full-staff and not to mention the picture-perfect setting. 

Belize

Turks And Caicos

Hiding at the southern tip of the Bahamian archipelago is the elusive island of Turks and Caicos. This sparsely populated string of low sand clays features some of the world’s most impressive coral reefs and beaches and is known for its luxury tourism

.The pace of life is slow but opulent with big-name brands such as Wymara and Aman taking up residence on its coast. Guests will love the peace and tranquillity at the ultra-luxury Amanyara resort, which sits on 18,000 acres of National Park. The ocean views are brought to you by Wymara Resort and Villas, a sophisticated option boasting the chicness of city life with the laid-back Caribbean way of life. Venture to the underwater world for a truly out of this world experience or sit back on Grace Bay Beach, known for its powdered white sand. 

Turks and Caicos

Marrakech

Marrakesh might not be the first place you would think to go to for a winter escape, but this former imperial city offers warm weather and a world of senses, experiences and of course, luxury dwellings. Visitors will be enriched by Morocco’s Artisan heritage and bewildered by its Islamic architecture along with an array of colours seen from daily life on the streets of Marrakesh.

As for dwellings, revel in a royal palace that showcases museum-worthy craftmanship. The La Mamouia sits on the edge of the medina and offers a Moorish design, 270 rooms and suites all within the confines of surrounding olive trees and rose bushes—it doesn’t get more Moroccan than that.

The Mandarin Oriental resort in Marrakech is an oasis that faces the Atlas Mountains and sits an easy 15-minute drive from the city. Each suite and villa is a compound and rooms are arranged around a pool, lending to a sense of privacy and space. 

Marrakech

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico stands as one of the leading luxury destinations in the world, despite its patchy history with weather. Visitors are attracted by the sea breezes, cultural vibrancy, thick rainforests, mangrove labyrinths and other natural gems. Whether you’re looking to defrost on the beach, explore Old San Juan or want to indulge in great food, Puerto Rico is the place for you.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach is a luxury resort that sits on a former coconut plantation and offers guests secluded beaches, an Iridium Spa and private bird sanctuaries. Only 30 minutes from Old San Juan, VIP guests can experience pure luxury with the famed Regis Butler Service. The Dorado Beach Ritz-Carlton offers stunning private villas and suites with infinity pools and numerous dining options. 

Costa Rica