Mid‑winter escapes: Sunny destinations to beat the blues

While Europe is engulfed in winter, the southern hemisphere is enjoying summer and plenty of sunshine. Fortunately, there are places easily accessible from Poland where you can forget about frost, snow, and rain, as well as long, dark evenings.

For those craving summer in the middle of winter, January is the perfect time to travel to hot regions of the world. The offer during this period traditionally includes trips to distant countries. The choice is quite broad—we can fly to the Caribbean, with the Dominican Republic being the leader, as well as to other Latin American countries like Colombia or Venezuela, and also to the Far East, with Thailand, the Maldives, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka being the most frequently chosen. African countries are also very popular, most notably Zanzibar, Kenya, Mauritius, and Seychelles, says Marzena German, a tourism market expert from the portal Wakacje.pl.

Zanzibar is heaven on earth for many, where you can enjoy idyllic, picturesque beaches in a peaceful atmosphere. The local waters are home to dolphins and fish living among colorful coral reefs, making it an ideal place for snorkeling fans.

There's also the dense, swampy Jozani-Chwaka National Park, home to many exotic animals, such as red colobus monkeys.

A week in Zanzibar in January can be had for around $1,450 per person.

If someone wants to travel to a place with guaranteed weather, but located a bit closer to home, they might consider a trip to the United Arab Emirates, Oman, or Bahrain, which is one of the new destinations in this year's travel agency offerings, explains the tourism market expert.

Dubai is the most well-known city of the United Arab Emirates. This desert metropolis is a collection of modern attractions, from the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, to the enormous Dubai Mall and impressive built-up areas like the Marina.

There are also extensive heritage districts, such as Dubai Creek and the historic Al Fahidi district. They stretch right next to a number of beautiful souks, which tourists love for the variety of spices and souvenirs.

A seven-day stay in Bahrain in mid-January can be purchased for about $725 per person. Meanwhile, around $850 is what you'll pay for a week-long stay in Dubai.

Mid-range destinations, those reachable by a 4-5 hour flight, are always a good choice.

Among mid-range destinations, of course, Egypt leads, but Poles gladly spend their winter vacations in the Canary Islands, Morocco, or Madeira. However, in these countries and regions, you have to expect slightly lower temperatures, around the mid-70s Fahrenheit, and occasional winds. It is certainly a great time to explore these places, explains Marzena German from Wakacje.pl.

A week of relaxation in Egypt at this time of year will cost around $360. Seven days in Marrakech or Agadir in Morocco, on the other hand, costs around $445.

The Spanish island is one of the warmest places in Europe at this time of year. On the northern coast of the island are famous black beaches and the stunning artificial beach in Teresitas. Mount Teide National Park is a land of rugged red terrain and picturesque hiking trails. It is also home to the highest peak in the country, Pico del Teide.

A week on the Spanish island can be spent for around $600 per person.

If you are looking to save money, choose the low season, which is after the Epiphany holiday (January 6) but before the winter school break begins. This is when it's easier to find attractive offers.