Do you get excited when the first flakes drift through the winter sky and an exquisite, pure white, icy blanket of snow covers the murky remains of slushy fall days?

Do you feel revitalized by crisp, cold air and clear blue skies? Do you enjoy the coziness of log fires and hearty treats?

Or do you get depressed at the thought of winter and think of nothing but escape to a beautiful white sand beach, palm trees swaying overhead, chill-out rhythm swinging in the air from a nearby beach bar?

Each season has its special atmosphere. And whether you like winter or not - it offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself - either playing in the snow - or as far from it as possible. Pick your spot for a winter escape:

For Beach Bums

Like song birds, beach bums are well known to follow the sun and flock down south when the winter draws nigh and covers the land under its icy cloak. Some only get as far as Florida and that is all they want, a bit of beach and a bit of fun in the sun, nothing else matters much .
But those who are looking for a bit more of an adventure are drawn further south, to Mexico and Central America - where not just sun and beach await, but where there are a plethora of cultures to discover, a cultural mélange that is different in every region of every country!

Short beach escapes to Central America are, generally speaking, still quite affordable - although it depends on where you go and what standard of comfort you expect. High-end resorts are never cheap, no matter where they are and what the price of bread at the local shop maybe. But there is usually also a good range of nice, laid back, midrange hotels that offer a good standard at a reasonable rate. And if you get tired of beautiful white-sand beaches and turquoise sea, you can always go for a jungle hike, climb a volcano, try a canopy zip-line adventure or visit local villages and shop for arts and crafts. If you are planning to travel around Easter, plan ahead! Easter is THE BIG religious festival of the year in Central America, and indeed, in Catholic countries around the world - a much grander affair than Christmas!

Belize

Second only to Australia, Belize has the second longest barrier reef in the world and the snorkeling is superb. There are atolls, patch reefs, ship wrecks and for divers, the reef itself offers thrilling explorations. Belize is an easy country to travel in - it is not very big, people speak English and infrastructure is well established to deal with tourists. Many hotels along the coast and on the cayes also run dive shops and organize snorkling trips to the atolls. There are some beautiful hotels on Ambergris Caye, the biggest island (not very big), but these don't come cheap. There are some mid-range hotels and plenty of budget places, but standards are often lower than what you would expect for the money. Along the mainland shore there are also some nice hotels, but swimming right off the beach is not that great in most places due to the rather abundant sea-grass. Best is to go on a snorkeling or diving excursion, or better still, a sea-kayaking adventure. With these you either stay in tents or at a hotel out in the Cayes and go kayaking and snorkeling every day. Some itineraries combine sea-kayaking with some days of river kayaking, caving and visiting Maya sites in the mainland. It is definitely a superb adventure for those who are looking for a bit more than just a spot on the beach to park their towel.
http://www.sacredearth-travel.com/central_america_info/belize/belizetours.php

Honduras

Honduras is still quite 'off' the mainstream tourism radar. There are a few developments, but not too many. It is a popular destination for budget travelers though, in particular for people who are interested in diving. The Barrier Reef that lies off the coast of Belize extends into Honduran waters. There are a number of little islands that have developed into snorkel and diving heavens. The largest is called Roatan, but there are a few smaller ones with a more laid back and low key atmosphere. Dive shops can be found on every island. The Bay islands are one of the least expensive places on earth where divers can get Padi certified. But even if you are not into diving, these islands are a great place for a beach holiday, full of life and local color. Honduras also has some fantastic national parks and wildlife reserves and, of course one of the most important Maya ruins, known as Copan.

Note: The political situation has calmed down considerably and right now there are no signs of trouble. National elections are on Nov. 29th. Things may change at that time, but that remains to be seen. Best bet: stay away from Tegucigalpa.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua remains a relatively unknown destination. Many people still remember the civil unrest of the late seventies and early eighties. But much has changed since then. Nicaragua is a democratic country, and a varied and beautiful one at that. There are a couple of huge inland crater lakes with amazing wildlife, there are regions of cloud forest and beautiful beaches that have escaped major developments due to this period of unrest during which there has been no investment into any tourism related projects. Now Nicaragua is opening up to intrepid travelers who can explore its wonderful wild beaches, relaxed Caribbean Islands (the way they used to be), volcanoes and colonial towns. There is a refreshing sense of authenticity to this country that has so far remained unspoiled by mass tourism.
http://www.sacredearth-travel.com/central_america_info/nicaragua/nicaraguatours.php

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has long been the 'Eco-travel Mecca' of Central America. Indeed, there is a lot of diversity, and Costa Rica tries its best to manage its huge tide of tourism success in a sustainable manner. In some places it seems to work, others fall victim to their own success, and development sprawls, and sprawls...The busiest and most developed beach area of Costa Rica is Guanacaste, well-known as the sunniest part of Costa Rica, as well as the central Pacific area. Further south tourism thins out considerably and there are numerous lonely beaches where you can still be almost on your own. In the very deep south lies the Osa peninsula, the most remote and wildest region of Costa Rica, sometimes referred to as 'the Amazon of Costa Rica'. Such comparisons are rather ridiculous, but it is true that biodiversity is certainly at its densest in this part of the country. On the Caribbean side there are also some beach resorts, which tend to attract a more laid back crowd. Puerto Viejo is the best known village which has some nice hotels, fantastic beaches and great surfing. Swimmers need to be careful, as anywhere on a coast of an open ocean, due to the strong riptides that can occur. The northern Caribbean coast is not suitable for water pursuits, but is home to Tortuguero National Park, famous for its many canals and waterways. This is a great destination for a short trip for wildlife viewing.
http://www.sacredearth-travel.com/central_america_info/costa_rica/costaricatours.php

Panama

Panama is perhaps the least 'typical' Central American country. A strong American influence from the days of the American occupation and the building of the Panama Canal is undeniably present. Yet, there are also vast areas that are almost completely untouched. Thanks to its location right on the Isthmus, Panama has the greatest diversity of species in all of Meso-America, being home (or transit home) to species from both, Central and South America. But what about the beaches? Well - Panama is blessed with several archipelagos, each a pure fantasy of a tropical island get-away. The northern Caribbean bordering Costa Rica has Bocas del Toro, a very popular beach area. Rocky outcops draped in tropical vegetation and innumerable islands are scattered off the coast. Gorgeous beaches, a lively and colorful local culture, every water sport you can imagine - all makes Bocas one of Panama's best beach destinations. The southern Caribbean is sprinkled with hundreds of small coralline islands known as San Blas, which is actually an autonomous region that is governed by the Kuna Indians, the only indigenous Nation in Central America that has never been defeated and still maintains its sovereignty. They have their own strict tourism guidelines and a visit here is always much more than just a beach escape, it is a cultural experience.

On the Pacific side there are also some nice beaches - the Pearl Islands are the favorite beach escape for Panama City dwellers. The least developed secret get-away is the Chiriqui archipelago, further north towards the Costa Rican border. This area has remained quite low key, despite its undisputed beauty, with just a few little island resorts and some low budget hotels along the coast. There is still plenty here to discover and explore. Despite the much superior infrastructure and road system of Panama, compared to neighboring countries, many areas still remain quite off the beaten path.
http://www.sacredearth-travel.com/central_america_info/panama/panamatours.php

For snow bunnies:

USA:

Ski holidays are notoriously expensive. Aspen or Vail have not succumbed to economic pressures of our times. But luckily there are other spots which may not quite have the same clout, but perhaps offer more intriguing charms. Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico have some lovely spots, albeit not as flashy or sophisticated. On the other hand, the local Native American and Hispanic flavours certainly add a special dimension to these destination. Local festivities are truly unique and enchanting and quite unlike any other place in the US.

There are some relatively inexpensive ski areas in the Taos mountains, which in a good season not only have excellent snow conditions, but also offer that special south-western flair - no frills or alpine pretences, but a down to earth, homely style that seems to have survived from another era. Accommodations vary from resort style hotels to B & B's and self-catering holiday homes - the most economic lodging alternative, especially when travelling as a family. You can stay in the ski valley itself for maximum snow/play time, or base yourself in nearby Taos and enjoy the local culture, which is nothing if not colorful.

And when you are getting tired of the snow, there is plenty to discover on days out into the surroundings. Santa Fe, once a rough and ready western outpost, has developed into the 3rd largest art market in the US and there are numerous interesting galleries, boutiques and shops that offer a truly unique blend of Hispanic, Pueblo and alternative south-western style arts and crafts. Or, for something further afield and much further out as well - why not take a side trip down to Roswell and visit the National Alien Museum…There is plenty to discover in the land of enchantment.

Europe

Beyond the border the Alpine Ski Resorts of France and Switzerland come to mind - and immediately trigger an anemic sensation in the wallet. But fear not - there are much cheaper alternatives. Just like the lesser known destinations in the US, there are places that may not have all the glitz and glamour, but offer great skiing and interesting local flavours at a fraction of the expense of a traditional ski resort.

Or, if you are looking for something that combines sun and snowy fun, check out some off-the-beaten-track ski towns in the Pyrenees - especially in the Pyrenees Oriental - the easternmost part of this mountain range that separates France and Spain. Here it is possible to ski at about 2000m above sea-level during the day and then stroll along a Mediterranean beach, or sip a glass of wine on the plaza of a little fishing village in the evening. In extreme years you'll find people swimming in the Med as early as February, while up in the mountains you can still romp around in the snow.

Another often overlooked ski destination in France are the Vosges mountains, facing Germany's Black Forest across the Rhine. Both mountain ranges are of modest height, and the tallest mountains reach only to about 1500m, but the scenery is lovely, and cross country skiers especially will be delighted by the region's charms. Add to that the unique blend of cultural flavours, quaint old villages and excellent cuisine for which the region is known and you are assured of a skiing holiday that goes well beyond the bland internationalist ambiance of world class resorts.

The truly adventurous might look even further afield. Since much of Eastern Europe has joined the EU, travel beyond what was once cut off by the iron curtain has become pretty easy. However, don't expect anything fancy. Facilities are not what you would expect in any western european country.

In South America, despite the high mountains, skiing is not the best - at least not in Ecuador, Peru or Bolivia. Only hard-core pros do exploratory skiing there. The infrastructure for skiing is not really present and the terrain is challenging, to say the least. However, further south, in Argentina and Chile there is excellent skiing to be had. But - mostly it is available during the summer months only, when winter reigns in the southern hemisphere. Don't necessarily expect a bargain either - Ski resorts in Chile and Argentina are not exactly cheap, but the scenery is hard to beat.

Where are you headed this winter?

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