Travel Round-up: Winter sun

2014, a new year and, as I write, the rain is hammering on the windows and the wind is howling down the chimney. What better way to cheer myself up than dream of sunnier climes. If you don’t want to wait until the summer before feeling some warmth, why not take some inspiration from the following bloggers who have been enjoying a taste of winter sunshine. Come join me on my deck chair, trashy book in one hand, mojito in the other, as I turn the heat up.

Australia

Let’s start Down Under where Ness, who blogs at Always Be A Friend, is currently on a road trip, having just spent the New Year celebrations in Melbourne. There are plenty of posts to read about her adventure so far but if you want to dive in, try this one: The Great Ocean Road

Ruth, aka Dorkymum, is settling down to a life with her family in Tasmania, having emigrated recently from the UK. This beautifully written post encapsulates so much of what Ruth is beginning to love about her new home: Festive Reflections

 

Malaysia

After a hectic time in Kuala Lumpur, Tas and her family (Not My Year Off) headed off to the resort of Langkawi, a collection of 99 islands off the north west coast of Malaysia. They intended to do nothing but chill but it didn’t pan out that way as there was so much to see, such as A Visit to the Cable Cars and Kelim Geo Forest.

South Africa

Suzanne (Chickenruby) is an Expat living in Pretoria but she has recently travelled to other parts of the country and has some excellent suggestions for anyone planning a visit. Here’s one: Addo Elephant National Park.

Morocco

Warmer weather can also be found a bit closer to home. Sonia (Two Adults Two Children) stayed in a locally-run riad in the old walled city of Fez, seeking a more authentic experience for her family. It proved to be an excellent decision: Family trip to Fez

Egypt

Moving around the north coast of Africa we reach Egypt where Louise, from My Gorgeous Boys, spent a very relaxing week in Sharm el Sheikh. The photographs show a family having fun, staying at a hotel/waterpark with no less than 44 slides: Winter Sun: Egypt and the Red Sea

Canary Islands – Fuerteventura

The Canaries have long been a favourite of mine as a destination for year-round sun. Lisa (Hollybobbs), her husband and friends took five children under four to a private villa in Caleta. Lots of swimming and barbecues were the order of the day: Winter Holidays

Canary Islands – Gran Canaria

Heather (Not From Lapland) had spent so many winters in the cold, she had forgotten what holidaying in the warmth was like. Luckily she won a competition recently and jetted off before Christmas to experience a touch of luxury and some well-deserved sunshine: 10 Awesome Things about the Bohemia Suites and Spa in Playa del Ingles

Caribbean – Jamaica

I was very envious of Sarah and her daughter Jessica (Family Travel Times) who were invited on a Blogger Press Trip to the Beaches Negril resort. I was also invited but couldn’t make it so had to look wistfully at her photos on Twitter as she kept me up to date with their fabulous experience. Here’s what I missed: Gorgeous Jamaica

Caribbean – St Lucia

Finally, while most of us just hop on a plane if we fancy a few rays, Michelle (Mummy Rates It) took the longer and definitely more strenuous route: a 22 day sail from Las Palmas in Gran Canaria to St Lucia with all the family in their boat, Jade: We did it! The story of our Atlantic Crossing

 

Next month I would like to feature posts about travel to colder destinations. Let me have any of your recent posts about skiing, Northern Lights trips, city breaks where you need to wrap up warm. You can tweet me @mumsgoneto or email me via my blog.