10 Amazing Places You'd Rather Be Than Stuck Here in the Blizzard
The Beach at Jumba Bay on Antigua. (Photo: Rosewood)
By Irene Huhulea
A blizzard is on its way to the pummel the East Coast, and as you wait out the snow day with friends, family and a nice glass of wine, we want you to remember that there are still warm and sunny parts of the world, outside the chill of Winter Storm Jonas.
These ten destinations in particular have gorgeous weather and beautiful beaches right now—imagine yourself in any one of them, or better yet, use the time stuck indoors to start planning your winter escape.
Caribbean Islands
There are several islands that you can reach via nonstop flights from many U.S. cities. These are the more familiar and busy ones, including Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. But to get to the really special places, you’ll have to put in a little more time and effort, which usually means at least two flights—one of them on a puddle jumper—and sometimes a ferry ride. The British Virgin Islands and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, along with St. Kitts and Nevis, are all well worth the effort it takes to reach them.
Big Island, Hawaii
The view from the Mauna Koa at dusk. (Photo: Susan Tanzman)
The Big Island boasts several of Hawaii’s most beautiful beaches, including the half-mile white-sand Hapuna Beach—the one often seen in advertisements and television shows touting an island paradise. For another perfect white-sand strand—but without the crowds—try Makalawena Beach near Kekaha Kai Sate Park, in Kona. You’ll have to maneuver an unpaved road for a short distance and walk a bit from the parking area, but that is part of the charm.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. (Photo: Zach Rabinor)
Puerto Vallarta’s historic center is home to great restaurants, galleries, shops, and nightlife, as well as plenty of photogenic charm—cobblestoned streets, whitewashed adobe walls. The Malecon, Vallarta’s oceanfront promenade, offers a great look at how local Vallartenses spend their evenings, strolling along with their children, grandparents, and friends.
Related: Zika Virus: This Is the New Mosquito-Borne Virus You Have to Worry About
Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica. (Photo: GreenSpot)
There are lots of gorgeous spots in Costa Rica, but don’t miss Osa Peninsula, home to Corcovado National Park. Despite a certain level of press over the years, the peninsula’s remoteness leads most travelers to substitute easier-to-reach rain forests and jungles—but whereas you’re likely to see a scarlet macaw in one of those other locations, on the Osa Peninsula you might see a tree full of them. The abundance of wildlife among majestic old-growth trees makes the payoff huge.
Private Villa, Casa Consulado, Granada, Nicaragua. (Photo: Nica Adventures)
One of Nicaragua’s most appealing attractions is its abundant wildlife. Playa La Flor Nature Reserve, one hour from San Juan del Sur, is the perfect place to see sea turtles laying their eggs in the spring. Rather do something more adventurous? Try sandboarding down the Cerro Negro volcano, one of the country’s most active cones. It’s an hourlong hike to the top—where you’ll have a spectacular view of the sulfurous crater and also the Pacific Ocean.
Related: 10 Reasons to Go to Nicaragua Now
Avi Bar, Velaa Private Island, Maldives. (Photo: Linara Travel)
We’re pretty sure you don’t need convincing that the Maldives are paradise—just look at the photos. Bliss out on the beach, laze around in an overwater bungalow, or try UV snorkeling after the sun goes down and see how the corals light up in fluorescent greens, yellows, and reds.
Sri Lanka
A basket of tea leaves in tea country, Sri Lanka (Photo: Courtesy of Wendy Perrin)
From the urban centers of Colombo to the tropical seaside south of Galle, Sri Lanka offers both quiet retreats and thrilling adventures. For travelers who want to admire the beauty of the countryside, the Tea Country’s many miles of manicured tea plantations provide the ideal place for a hike. For thrill seekers, the Kelani River provides an unparalleled opportunity for rafting and canyoning through the Central Highlands.
Rajasthan
Amanbagh, India. (Photo: Amanbagh)
For complete relaxation, spend a day by the pool at Amanbagh, an oasis of palm and eucalyptus trees and Mughal-inspired architecture once used by the maharajah of Alwar on tiger-hunting expeditions. For something more active, saddle up one of the Marwari horses at Mihir Garh and ride through the Thar desert, pausing to visit the Bishnoi villages.
Sydney Opera House. (Photo:Tourism Australia)
Sydney’s popular tourist attractions are well-known and visited by travelers from all over the world. But for some of the city’s hidden gems, jump on a ferry to Watsons Bay, and take in the views as you approach the southern entrance to Sydney Harbour. Once a tiny fishing village, Watsons Bay now offers walking tracks, beaches, and a harborside park. Just one hour from Sydney and a favorite of locals but consistently overlooked by visitors, the Royal National Park has spectacular coastal views, abundant birdlife, indigenous culture, bushwalking, cycling, and surfing. It’s also the world’s second-oldest national park (after Yellowstone).
Related: Sydney’s Opera on the Harbour: The Perfect Opera for People Who Hate Opera
Queenstown, New Zealand
Picnic, Dunstan Ranges, New Zealand
New Zealand is as an adventure mecca. Experiences for adrenaline junkies abound throughout the country, but most are concentrated in the Queenstown region. This is the place, after all, that claims to have invented bungee jumping. If you’re eager to try it (and you should!), we recommend a leap at the Kawarau Bridge. You can also go hiking on one of the area’s many unknown trails or go jet boating, rafting, skydiving, gliding, mountain biking—whatever rocks your boat.
WATCH: How to Save for Your Dream Vacation
Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
More from Wendy Perrin:
Gorgeous Italian Villas Within Walking Distance to Towns
How to Never Wait on Hold with Airline Customer Service Again
5 Cool Experiences You Didn’t Know You Could Have in Switzerland
