As the cold weather descends upon us, increased daydreaming of holidays and vacations to sunny, warm, balmy destinations – is imminent, and I assure you – completely and totally normal. One of the easiest ways to get away for a cheap sunny vacation or for a last minute holiday is to put aside the travel-snob inside you and to opt for an all-inclusive vacation or resort holiday.
This week tripatlas.com/new is taking you on a tour of this year’s hottest All-Inclusive & Resort Vacation Destinations. From St. Barts to Jamaica, Havana to Varadero, Punta Cana to Puerto Vallarta, Honolulu to Maui in Hawaii, Aruba or Antigua – find out which islands, beaches, and towns made the cut for the 2008-09’s top all-inclusive and resort destinations for holiday/winter travel this season.
5 of the Hottest All Inclusive & Resort Destinations this Fall & Winter 2008-09
Nassau? Curacao? How did we pick and choose from all these amazing destinations?! We chose the destinations that would give you the best experience: based on popularity, past travelers’ reviews, quality of beaches, nearby attractions or sights, and destinations that offer the best culture experiences. Read on to find out where to go this fall or winter to get away from the cold and work on your tan!
Dance the Night Away in Varadero, Cuba
Whether it’s your first time or third time to Cuba, Varadero is the perfect place to see and experience all that Cuba has to offer. It has the best selections of all-inclusive hotels and resorts in Cuba, including a variety of options for accommodations (apartments, hotel room, etc.) and meals (three meals, European plan, etc.) at a range of prices.
During the day, take advantage of the 20 kilometers of stunning white beaches, golf courses, or shopping at the outdoor markets for crafts, jewellery, or clothes. Varadero is also great because there are manu daily day trips available: explore Havana located just two hours away, take a boat cruise or catamaran on the water to visit the groups of islands called “cayos” or “keys.”
Varadero‘s main strip is full of restaurants, bars, and shops, and is a safe and buzzing place to be at night. Join in with the locals as they dance in the streets along with the bands that play salsa, mambo, and meringue all night long.
If all-inclusive isn’t your thing, read up on our article: Ditch the Resorts in Cuba, Discover Cuba by Backpack, a pair of flip flops and stay at the homes of local Cuban families at Casa Particulares.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the Authentic Mexican Experience
If you’re looking for a real, authentic taste of Mexico, be sure to stay a week or two in Puerto Vallarta, located on the Bahia de Banderas (or Banderas Bay). With its sub-tropical climate, there’s sand, surf, fishing, golf, para-sailing, snorkeling, and wilderness adventures in the stark and beautiful Sierra Madre Mountains.
While Puerto Vallarta has been a favourite destination for many sun-seeking tourists since the 1950’s, its five major neighbourhoods are accommodating and full of warm hospitality. Nuevo Vallarta is the newest resort area while El Centro encompasses the very heart of Puerto Vallarta’s downtown where you can stay at classic old hotels and stroll down cobblestone streets at night with faint mariachi music in the background. If you’re a golfer or big spender, the upscale areas include Conchas Chinas, the “Beverley Hills” of Puerto Vallarta, and Marina Vallarta. Finally, there’s the Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascensio area where you’ll find streets lined with palm-trees and many of the big beachfront hotel accommodations.
Read up on 10 Ways to Discover Puerto Vallarta: Where Mexico Comes to Life.
Waikiki, O’ahu in Hawaii for Tropical Paradise
Hawaii is the original tropical paradise destination – with lush green valleys, waterfalls, volcanoes, stark cliffs, and thundering waves, its beaches, hula dancers, exotic lei-adorned locals offer just the right balance that creates the perfect holiday.
Not only are O’ahu and Hawaii great places for a romantic or family getaway, it is also a place littered with history. O’ahu’s capital city, the famous Honolulu, is located just nearby the well-known Pearl Harbor. But if you’re looking for some of the best beaches in the world, then Waikiki is where you need to go.
Love Waikiki? Read up on our bi-monthly column, Walking in Waikiki, written by Waikiki local, Cloudia Charters, as she takes you through the streets and what’s up-and-coming in the beautiful Waikiki neighbourhood in O’ahu, Hawaii.
Samana, Dominican Republic
The Samana Peninsula is the very spot in Dominican Republic for undiscovered and untouched, quiet beaches. Just a few hours east from the busy Puerto Plata, Samana’s beaches are surrounding and hidden away by mountains and tropical rainforests covered with coconut trees.
Besides relaxing in a tropical sunny paradise, Samana is also known as a great spot for whale-watching between November and March when humpback whales come to Samana’s warm waters for mating season. In Samana’s Old Town Square, you’ll find Victorian buildings and many nearby attractions like Los Haitises National Park’s natural wonders and waterfalls, a casino, discos, and little Dominican restaurants offering the best food in the island.
Saint Martin or Sint Maarten for a Taste of the Caribbean with Hints of Europe
To get away from the glitz of St. Barts and the busy beaches of Martinique, Saint-Martin or St. Maarten is the place spot to revel and relax for a week away from the biting wind and chilly snowfalls. Whether you decide to laze around on Orient Bay, Long Bay, Oyster Pond, or Anse de Grande Saline, the secluded beaches of Saint-Martin are truly paradise.
One great reason to visit this island is because its French and Dutch influences run deep and create a truly unique experience in the Caribbean. When visiting the French side of Saint-Martin, be sure to visit the main town, Marigot where you’ll find peaceful boutiques and restaurants. For an altogether unique experience, visit Grand Case, a typical, charming, Caribbean village with colourful homes and excellent food.
When visiting the Dutch side, Sint Maarten, you’ll get a more crowded and cosmopolitan city of Philipsburg, which is often busy with cruise tourists but which gives you a great taste of Dutch goods and boutiques. Nearby, you’ll find Mullet Bay, a town buzzing with visitors taking advantage of the many nearby hotels and resorts, beaches, boutiques, and casinos.
Bon voyage and don’t forget your sunscreen!