Top 5 Destinations to Experience Summer in Winter

One thing I love about living in Australia is having Christmas in summer! As we are in the Southern Hemisphere, we get our summer when the Northern Hemisphere get their winter. Our Christmas holidays here are usually characterised by barbeques, relaxing on the beach, outdoor parties and the remainder of summer is usually punctuated by similar activities.

I visited Europe for Christmas a while back and while it was charming drinking mulled wine and browsing Christmas markets, I was underwhelmed by the short and wet days and absolutely missed Australia. I actually made a mental note that Christmas for me had to always be in a place with sunshine. Lots and lots of sunshine!

So, if you find yourself longing for a summery Christmas or want to swap some of your winter scenery for some sunshine, beaches, and clear blue skies, keep reading for a round up of some of my favourite summer in winter destinations.

Maldives

December to February is one of the best times to visit Maldives - which means you can pretty much spend all of winter there and go back home in spring. Remote working never sounded so good! If you've left things too late and are worried you'd miss out on finding a perfect accommodation in December (as those get snapped up really quickly at that time of the year), you can always head down in late January to February when prices are less steep. Also, keep in mind that as this is a popular time to visit, some resorts require minimum stays (about 5 nights or more).

Dubai

While December isn't necessarily summer in Dubai (it's actually their winter), but with temperatures averaging 20 degrees celsius), it remains one of the best times to visit as it is less hot and humid than their typical summer. Dubai makes this list for a couple of reasons with a top one being the ease of getting there. If you go via Emirates airline, then Dubai is going to be a stopover point for you anyway. So, why not explore it for a few days and get some sunshine while you're there. Again, if you feel like you've missed the December booking window and still want to experience some of the best 5-star (or heck, 7-star!) luxurious service in the world, February to April is an ideal time to visit Dubai.

Auckland

New Zealand's largest city makes the list for a whole heap of reasons but a key one is that it is a city that has something for everyone - solo travellers, families, couples, groups, adventure junkies, foodies or culture enthusiasts. Wherever you fall on the traveller profile, Auckland will not disappoint you.

Unsure where to start with exploring Auckland? I'd recommend going with what your travel style is. If you're a foodie or wine connoisseur, definitely start by exploring the wineries in Waiheke Island. If you're more of a culture buff, the Auckland Museum will not disappoint. Nature lovers will enjoy taking in the beauty of the beautiful white sandy beaches also on Waiheke Island. Wanting a more intimate getaway, I'd recommend renting a beach house on the Island where you can wake up to the sound of the ocean waves and end your day, watching the sunset.

Cape Town

There are not many cities that can boast of having iconic landscapes (Table Mountain, Lions Head, Signal Hill to name a few), a rich cultural history (Robben Island), amazing wildlife, incredible scenery and many beautiful beaches.

Again, being a city in the Southern Hemisphere makes Cape Town an ideal destination to add to your summer in winter experience. This city has so much to offer, you'd probably need a few visits to scratch its surface. December to January is usually the busiest time to visit Cape Town in summer, however, if you're looking for a less busy time with fewer tourists and want to take in the city at your own pace, then February is the best time I'd recommend.

Perth

OK, I'll admit there's a bit of bias here because this is the city I call home but having said that, Perth is truly a beautiful city to visit, especially in summer. Think perfect summer weather, beautiful beaches, amazing food and rich culture - Perth is definitely bound to impress. But the best (like could it get any better?) part of visiting Perth in summer and a must-do on you to-do list is to check out the amazing Margaret River region - one of the best wine regions in Australia. This region is a 3-hour drive from Perth but I can assure you that it's definitely worth the trip!

While Sydney and Melbourne are usually what come to mind when people think of Australia, Perth is definitely a destination to add to your Australian itinerary. It's perfect for families, solo travellers, intimate getaways and group travels.

Curious about any of the destinations mentioned here but unsure where to start? That's what the Wanderlust By Design team is here for. Get in touch today via the Contact button and we will be more than happy to assist you!

Be well,

JJ