Top 5 Travel Destinations for the Winter Holidays

As the chaos of the holidays approaches, I find it incredibly important to get away. Most people have a lot of time off for the holidays, so why not use it as an excuse to travel to some exotic far off places? Below is a list of my favorite hot spots to hit during an extended vacation. A few are locations where you can soak up the sun and others where you can hit the slopes on a fresh powdery mountain – something for everyone!

St. Barths

If you are looking for picturesque beaches and warm weather, St Barths is the destination. The tiny island is home to an amazing 16 beautiful beaches! Make sure to rent a car as it will make getting around to places much more convenient. Eden Rock and Isle de France are two of the finest hotels to stay at on the island. St Barths also has great food and nightlife. For delicious lunch on the beach, music and a little dancing head to Nikki Beach. For more casual ambiance, grab lunch at Do Brazil. It’s situated in Shell Beach, a really cute beach made entirely of shells, overlooking the ocean. If you are looking for a fun night out on the town then go to Le Ti. It’s a very entertaining spot for dinner and a burlesque show. I celebrated New Year’s Eve there a few years ago and it was a blast!

Aspen

Aspen is the king of winter sports. It is a chic, cozy town with many high end shops and top-rated restaurants. In my opinion, Aspen is the most magical ski resort. My favorite hotel on the mountain is The Little Nell. They have the best breakfast and the fire place in the main living room area is a great place to warm up with a cup of tea after a full day of skiing.They also have a New Year’s Eve pop up which claims the world’s first on-mountain champagne bar.   If you are looking for something a bit more lively, then head to Ajax’s Tavern. Its sun-drenched, mountainside patio can be seen from halfway up the mountain, making it a simple target for lunch or cocktails. Ajax’s is by far the best lunch spot in town. People watching, dancing, truffle fries, champagne… it is the perfect way to end the day Après ski style.

Koh Samui, Thailand

The islands of Thailand are absolutely Stunning and Koh Samui is my absolute favorite. Think white beaches, crystal clear water, rustic- chic beach restaurants, palm trees… cocktail in hand and toes in the sand! Two of the best places to stay in Koh Samui are at the Four Seasons or Kamalaya Resort. What I mostly love about this island is the large range of fitness, detox, relaxation, and stress relief that is offered at the resorts above. It is completely peaceful and you will return from vacation truly rejuvenated.

Read more about Koh Samui on Conde Nast Traveller

 Maldives

The Maldives are some of the most breathtaking islands in the world. Turquoise water and swaying palm trees ease you into complete relaxation mode. They’re a bit far away from London and the States, but the trip is worth it. You’ll find total escape on these remote, luxurious islands. There are plenty of luxury resorts to choose from, but in my opinion the best is the One & Only Reethi Rah Hotel. Make sure to indulge in the waterfront spa services while you’re there.

Goa, India

One of the best places to visit over the Christmas holiday is Goa. Not only do you get to escape the cold to a far off beach, you also get to join in exuberant holiday festivities. Goa is known for their historical churches, which really come to life during the season.

There are many luxurious beach resorts to stay at while in Goa. Some of my favorites  are the Alila Diwa, which is surrounded by 12 acres of gorgeous green fields, the Park Hyatt Goa Resort, which is known for one of the largest spas in India and of course the Taj Exotica, which has an appealing Mediterranean feel and offers exquisite personalized service.