Six Super Sun Spots

Pick a great winter break

By Chris Potter

Something we Canadians have in common, from sea to shining sea, is a desire to follow the sun in winter. Here are some ideas to do just that, and your travel counsellor will provide more information on any one, or all six.

Cuba
A vacation bargain, Cuba offers gorgeous beach resorts like Varadero, Holguin, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, and others, where talcum-white sand fringes warm, turquoise waters.

Cubans may not be wealthy, but their love of life shows in their renowned friendliness and vibrant music. And they love us. They even hold annual Terry Fox Marathons (usually in March) across the island to mark our famous native son, with almost two million people participating.

If you go, try to visit Old Havana and the interior town of Trinidad, both UNESCO Heritage sites. And if you’re a diver, check out Cayo Piedra Underwater Park in Varadero’s northeast, with its shipwrecks attracting a rainbow of tropical fish and crustaceans.

Caribbean Cruise
Island-hop the Caribbean on a ship. Routes vary, and there’s sure to be one to suit you. A seven-day itinerary through the Eastern Caribbean would probably call at The Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. John (US Virgin Islands), Puerto Rico, and perhaps St. Maarten/St. Martin. This route usually offers more time for shopping, sightseeing, and water sports, because islands are closer than on other routes, and the choice of activities is usually greater.

Some western itineraries include calls at Cozumel or Playa del Carmen in Mexico, Grand Cayman, Key West, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Belize or Costa Rica. There’s more sailing involved, appealing to those who love “days at sea.” Ports offer the chance to explore ancient Mayan ruins, hike in rain forests, or dive and snorkel in memorable locations.

Dominican Republic
The D-R is HOT, and we don’t mean just the temperature. Choose your shoreline: the Atlantic’s Amber Coast is named for the precious stuff once mined there, and precious now are the beautiful beaches and large tracts of unspoiled coastline. D-R’s southeast finger points to the Caribbean’s luxury resorts.

Choose your reasons: a wedding and/or honeymoon? A family vacation?

Discover the capital, Santo Domingo, on a tour through the charmingly restored old quarter. Also worth a visit is Los Tres Ojos de Agua (The Three Eyes of Water), a cave complex named for its three turquoise lagoons surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites. Casa de Campo Resort in La Romano, designed by Oscar de la Renta, offers golf, family programs, and the Altos de Chavón, a replica medieval Mediterranean village.

Mexico’s Caribbean and Pacific shores
Another perennially popular Caribbean destination is Mexico’s Mayan Riviera on the Yucatan Peninsula, and its leading tourist resort, Cancun. Beaches of soft white sand flank calm waters in Bahia de Mujeres. Divers and snorkellers love the varied marine life, and on land it’s fun to explore the mangrove swamps, where birds and creatures of many species gather.

History buffs head for Mayan ruins, and holidaymakers find nightlife, cuisine, shopping, and assorted activities along the busy hotel zone.

On Mexico’s Pacific coast, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta (P-V), and Acapulco have made their marks with sun-seekers. In Mazatlan, visit the Olas Altas, the old town centre where the rich and famous once lived, and enjoy a meal in the Shrimp Bucket restaurant. P-V has the atmosphere of a friendly village, with cobblestone streets and red-tile roofs. Check out the “romantic zone” with its unfortunate name of Los Muertos, and visit the seaside villages beyond Boca de Tomatlan. They’re accessible only by boat and make an excellent day trip. Acapulco is synonymous with glitz and luxury, i.e. busy. It’s a large cruise centre, and offers plenty of adventure, nightlife, and probably more variety than any other Mexican resort. Whichever Pacific paradise you choose, take the time for sunset gazing. You’ll be awed.

Hawaii
If you have to pick just one area in the Hawaiian archipelago, consider Maui. Add its close neighbours Molokai and Lanai to dramatically expand your choice.

Maui’s “golf coast” on the western shore features legendary courses and some fabulous beaches. Fine dining, lively night clubs, and Haleakala—the world’s largest dormant volcano—are all here.

Molokai is smaller, quieter, and a haven for lovers of the outdoors. You might hike through mystical valleys, ride horseback along the coastline, mountain bike down sea cliffs, or paddle among pristine barrier reefs.

Lanai is smaller still: a place of primal beauty where you can walk a mile-long beach and not see another person. It’s Hawaii’s most exclusive island with two upscale resorts and several “local style” accommodations.

Visit the islands between December and April for the added joy of watching humpback whales.

Australia & New Zealand
Going “down under” in winter means catching summer in Australia and New Zealand. This long-haul holiday deserves a minimum of three weeks, especially if you plan to combine both countries in one visit.

In New Zealand, don’t miss Auckland, home to the 2000 America’s Cup Village; Rotorua and its gassy, bubbling Thermal Reserve; the Glow Worm Grotto in Waitomo; wine country; Queenstown on the South Island for the Franz Josef Glacier and a trip on the trans-Alpine train; and a traditional Maori hangi dinner and cultural show.

In Australia, the must-sees include Ayers Rock; the Barrier Reef (an unforgettable experience for divers and snorkellers); the old gold town of Cairns from whence you can visit the fascinating Daintree Rainforest and ride the scenic Kuranda Railway; and colourful Sydney, not only for its fabled Opera House, but for its sophisticated nightlife, its beaches, and its history.