With winter having well and truly clasped its icy tendrils around us, it can get harder and harder to get out of bed in the mornings. For some of us, winter is the perfect excuse to dust off the snowboard and hit the slopes; for others it’s time to hibernate.
If your idea of a perfect winter getaway doesn’t revolve around the snow, and the prospect of icy temperatures has you shivering already, don’t despair. Simply follow the sun with our pick of some of the best winter blues-busting destinations in Asia and beyond.
Phuket, Thailand
For many of us, enjoying the sun, the beach and partying go hand in hand: and there’s no better place to enjoy all three than in Phuket. A constant stream of international revellers come year after year to experience all that this island destination has to offer; from the sun-soaked sand to an after dark stroll down Bangla Road with its dizzying array of bright lights and crazy characters.
A few nights partying it up can take a toll on the liver and the wallet, so to recharge the batteries you can head north to the Khao Sok National Park to experience the majesty of the jungle, complete with elephants, lazy rivers and treehouse lodges.
Winter is the perfect time to visit Phuket since the heat isn’t uncomfortable and the average daily temperature hovers between 30 and 33 degrees Celcius. Because Phuket is in a temperate zone, it manages to avoid many of the typhoons and tropical storms that can batter the Philippines and Hong Kong, making it an ideal place to shake away those winter blues.
Nha Trang, Vietnam
A bargain hunter’s paradise, Vietnam is widely considered one of the cheapest holiday destinations in Southeast Asia and with the expansion of Vietnam Airlines, is easily accessed from almost any airport in the continent.
Whilst many flock to nearby Thailand for their fill of sandy, unspoilt beaches, Nha Trang has quietly been establishing itself as one of the pre-eminent beachside resort towns in Vietnam. The town is flanked by paddy fields that eventually yield to spectacular mountainous peaks, making for spectacular viewing. Monsoon season finishes towards mid-december, and by January and February the humidity is considerably lower than during the summer months, with temperatures hovering around a pleasant 30 degrees Celsius.
Whitsundays, Australia
This stunning archipelago of islands is located on the central coast of Queensland in Australia and is one of the best places in Australia to soak up the summer sun, and possibly the best in the world. Only a handful of the 74 islands are inhabited, making it the perfect location to bliss out and enjoy a touch of solitude.
Whether you want to relax on the whitest sands in Australia, charter a luxury boat or catamaran to explore the region, snorkel or scuba dive the reef or simply laze around in one of the spectacular resorts, there’s something for everyone. Whilst direct flights are unavailable, a quick stopover is a small inconvenience when, in around 12 hours, you can step off the plane into a tropical paradise.
Angkor, Cambodia
Cambodia is certainly not a country without its share of problems. The horrors of the Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror have left an indelible mark on this beautiful country and some of the scars still lie exposed, exemplified by the untold hectares of unexploded land mines, poverty and a devastated infrastructure. The good news is that the reconstruction and healing process is well underway and increasing numbers of tourists are discovering all of the attractions that Cambodia has to offer.
Whilst there are a wealth of beaches, natural attractions and colonial buildings to explore, the single greatest attraction in Cambodia is Angkor. The site is constructed over a staggering 400 kilometres and contains the remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th century. Before leaving you have to visit the famous Angkor Wat temple, the world’s largest single religious monument; Ta Prohm, a Buddhist temple that has melded with the towering trees; and the Bayon temple, with its countless sculptural decorations.
With blue skies, no rain, gentle coastal breezes and perfect weather that hovers around the mid 20s, the period from November to February is generally considered the best time to visit Cambodia and take in one of the most significant cultural relics on the planet.
Goa, India
The former Portuguese colony of Goa, midway along the southwest coast of India, has been a holiday destination since British troops and officials used the idyllic paradise for a spot of R&R. The 105 km long coastline is fringed by palms, and the usual subcontinental bustle is forgotten as bird calls and the gentle murmur of the ocean treading its well worn path take over.
An abundance of beach bars, festivals and an exotic nightlife have made Goa a popular destination for people looking to check out of mainstream society, and more than a handful of people that intended to visit have found themselves staying permanently, drawn by the powerful allure of the area. But parties and hedonism aren’t the only things Goa has on offer.
South Goa has less tourism-related development, but with developers purchasing wide swathes of land to commercialize the area it’s unlikely that it will stay unspoiled and pristine for long. With the rupee still hovering near all time lows and the period from November to February representing one of the best times of the year to check out Goa, there’s never been a better time to explore this amazing spot.
Bali, Indonesia
Whilst for some the lingering memories of Bali may be being accosted by overzealous salesman touting their ‘genuine Rolex’ watches or the throngs of drunken tourists spilling out of bars in Kuta, there is a very different side to Bali, too. Tracking down completely undeveloped pockets of this amazing island is becoming increasingly difficult, but there are more than enough sights and activities to fill your days; whether it’s a week long vacation or a month to wind down.
The natural wonders of Bali are some of the most spectacular in the world. Relax in the artist’s village of Ubud, surrounded by rice paddies as far as the eye can see. Watch spectacular sunsets from Mangsit beach in Lombok. Catch the sunrise over Borobudur, a UNESCO listed 9th century temple and explore the vast complex as the day’s first rays gently illuminate the area. Visit Tanah Lot Temple in Tabanan, one of the main temples for worship of Balinese gods set to the dramatic backdrop of the ocean. There is no end to the wonders that Bali has to offer.
So if you’re looking to escape it all and reconnect with nature, or for a place have a self indulgent, revival to help promote balance within the body, go to Bali.
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