Winter is coming and when the heavy snow starts to fall, we’re forced to stay at home and wrap ourselves in scarves by the fire. While it may be tempting to go abroad for a sunny vacation, it’s quite expensive and sometimes a bit of a hassle. Luckily for us, there are plenty less snowy places to visit without going overseas. All we need is to pack your bags and drive our car to a warmer destination. If you don’t have a car or just don’t like to drive it in the snow, there are cheap rental car services like DriveNow’s London car hire which you can book. But I digress, listed below are sunny destinations you can drive to that are guaranteed to give you a much needed break from the winter chill.
- Pembrokeshire – The number one choice for those looking for the unmatched freshness of a blowing sea breeze. The shores of Wales in winter might not be hospitably warm enough for a dip but the cliff top walk it offers is enough to make up for it. Even on winter, there is enough sunshine here for those who want to cycle, hike, and explore Pembrokeshire Coast National Park before going back to a Welsh countryside for rest.
Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
- Edinburgh – Where the Christmas market is. Drive up to the capital of Scotland on a festive season to witness the city come alive with fairy lights. Wait around for New Year’s Day or Hogmanay as the locals call it, and prepare to be a part of a street party you will never forget. Walk around the Royal Mile and watch street performers or admire the gothic architecture, enter the German market for some souvenirs to bring home, or give the Edinburgh Eye a try.
- Cornwall – The sub-tropical gardens of the Isles of Scilly will instantly teleport you to an atmosphere with a lot less cold and lot more sun. The Cornish micro-climate lets you see blooms available all year round. Drive down to the Eden Project and be amazed at more than 90,000 amazing exotic plant species from Amazonian rainforests to Mediterranean coastlines. The humidity alone will make you forget the feeling of snow.
- Cumbria – The Latrigg Fell makes for the perfect winter escape for those who want to spend time hiking and walking trails. The magnificent views above Borrowdale Valley and Derwentwater Lake make all the sweating and the huffing worth it. Just make sure that you have packed a flask of something warm to drink and a jumper. Afterwards, head on down to Hadrian’s Wall or Furness Abbey to learn more about William Wordsworth.
- County Antrim – Photographers might want to bring their cameras ready to capture stunning panoramic views over Belfast atop Black Mountain. The colder months see changes in the sunsets and sunrises as well, with coruscating red illuminating the landscapes that will make for an absolutely breath-taking picture. Nature lovers might find this the ideal spot to explore the great outdoors.
We are Mike and Luci.