Top 10 Destinations To Ward Off The Cold Slideshow
Los Angeles, California
Sunny all year, you can take in the city's scene (and dine outdoors) from Santa Monica to Silverlake. Dine on escargots at Café Stella, find super fresh sushi at Sugar Fish in the Marina, and dine on new wave seafood at Sun of a Gun. Go for drinks at the classic 1940s-style Tar Pit. Book your stay at the delightful, hidden Petit Ermitage in West Hollywood.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When it's snowing up here, Brazil is gearing up for summer. Hit a local botequim, hike up Sugar Loaf, and take pictures beneath the Cristo statue. Tuck into classic churrasco at Porco or dine on seafood at Al Mare, in the sleek, Starck-designed Fasano Hotel. Taste a caipirinha as it is meant to be made at the Academia da Cachaa.
Bermuda
Anyone living through brutal winters on the eastern seaboard should be well aware of the merciful fact that Bermuda is but a quick two-hour flight away. It's small, is still a British colony, and boasts more than a handful of pink sandy beaches perfect for leisurely afternoons. Dine at Bermuda's oldest restaurant, Tom Moore's Tavern, find fresh sushi at the Mandarin Oriental's Sea Breeze restaurant, and grab a cocktail at The Cellar in the Fairmont hotel.
Austin, Texas
Drop your bags at Austin's modern, eco-friendly Kimber Hotel before heading out to discover Texas' culturally cool, but winter-warm destination. Find delicious Texan barbecue at Franklin BBQ, cool off over the lauded raw bar at Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar, and sip on a cocktail at La Condesa.
Turks & Caicos
Turks and Caicos is the ultimate warm-weather destination. It can transform even the most adventurous traveler into a beachcomber. Hob nob with celebrities at Parrot Cay and find island-fresh conch and seafood at Da Conch Shack. Cocktails should be found at the chic, outdoor Coco Bistro.
Puerto Rico
It's high season in Puerto Rico as soon as the temperatures drop in the U.S., but booking early (or going off-the-grid a bit) will make the trip more than worthwhile. Discover some of the lesser-
known beaches and the foods they offer, which range from Alain Ducasse's restaurant miX on the Beach to the street food kiosks on Luquillo Beach (pictured).
Hawaii
Skip the crowds who head to Hawaii for Christmas and New Year's Eve, and take your vacation early (say, the first two weeks of December). You'll enjoy better prices and a less crowded holiday. Maui and Oahu are top choices, and you'll find classic Hawaiian eats (like Lomi salmon, Kalua pig, poi, and mahi mahi) alongside contemporary and international fare (and cocktails) on both. While you're there, find out when the local farmers' market is on and try some fresh tropical fruits (pictured).
Riviera Maya, Mexico
A long weekend on the Riviera Maya is an entirely restorative mid-winter venture. Maroma Resort should be home base for your luxe getaway, you can't do much better than La Casa del Agua for wine and seafood, and you'll want to make the trip to Los Danzantes for a tour of the mescal distillery (and a taste of the product, of course).
Australia
There are city breaks and country breaks on offer in Australia, whose summer is our winter. Go in January to Melbourne to catch the Australian Open, take a wine tasting road trip through the Barossa Valley, or take in Sydney's hot spots. Melbourne is a culinary haven, with ethnic cuisines and international wines throughout. Sydney offers a varied culinary scene, too, with tapas at Bodega and the famous pies of Harry's Café de Wheels.
Miami, Florida
Art Basel Miami happens in December, but you could easily just go for the sun, food, and nightlife. Book your stay at the ultra-glamorous Villa by Barton G. and grab dinner at Sugarcane. A completely informal but lip-smacking Cuban meal awaits at Versailles, while drinks and people watching are inevitable at the Delano's Rose Bar.