Brrrr. When Old Man Winter comes to town, it's easy to get down. But a visit to any of our favorite places to beat the winter blues will have you forgetting about the slush, snow boots, and dreary days of the long, dark season in no time. This year, why not pack your bags and head to top winter destinations like the slopes of Banff, the aquatic playgrounds of Belize and the Red Sea, the sands of Búzios, the quirky town of Key West, or even your own private villa on St. Barts? If it takes more than surf or snow to stimulate your senses, head out on a sophisticated city trip to Los Angeles or Melbourne, where sunny climes and attractive lifestyles beckon, or go even farther afield, on a trip of a lifetime to Rajasthan or Antarctica. Indeed, the icy waters at the bottom of the globe become passable only when the temperatures drop in the Northern Hemisphere, allowing adventuresome travelers seeking a rare annual opportunity to spot the season's coolest sights - penguins, icebergs, and glaciers.
1. Búzios, Brazil
For a ritzy, St. Tropez-like escape in the dead of winter, you can't beat Búzios - located at the tip of a long, beach-fringed peninsula about 100 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. Much beloved since the days Brigitte Bardot strolled the shores of the area's Ossos Beach, this former fishing village retains much of its old-world charm, but now boasts a slew of glitzy boutiques, restaurants, and beachfront mansions to complement its fantastic string of 20-plus beaches, rugged coastline, and darling town. December to March is the best time to visit this top winter destinations, since Brazil's summer weather is just right for a dose of Brazilian pleasures. Beat the blahs this year by sunbathing to your heart's content, sipping caipirinhas at beachside cafés, and, at night, hitting the happening Rua das Pedras - a popular street lined with galleries, restaurants, and bars. (Photo: Brazil Ministry of Tourism)
2. Belize
This Central American up-and-comer - about the size of Massachusetts - is packed with potential. The tiny English-speaking country fronts the Caribbean Sea and offers sunny, warm weather all winter long and loads of adventuresome travel opportunities. Case in point: The longest continuous barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere borders the coast of Belize, making the waters here outstanding for snorkeling and diving. Offshore atolls and sandy reef shelves are home to baby sharks, massive stingrays, skinny eels, and lots of colorful marine life. Inland, the Maya Mountains are swathed in thick rain forests with thousands of streams and rivers cascading down - ideal for jungle treks and nature tours. Also not far offshore are dozens of islands, called cayes, which make for great day trips or secluded stays; Ambergris Caye and Isla Bonita are among the most developed, boasting chic restaurants and resorts, while Caye Caulker remains more laid-back and remote. Nature buffs will also love the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary - just a few miles east of Belize City - which protects over 9,000 acres of sea and mangrove; local guides bring visitors by boat to survey the abundant wildlife at one of the world's top winter destinations. (Photo: Belize Tourism Board/Tony Rath of Tony Rath Photography)
Top 10 places to beat the winter blues
