Have you started thinking about planning an island vacation this winter? I know how much I suffer during our short Australian winter, and can only imagine how hard it must be for my island girlfriends who live in REAL wintery places!! The snow is wet, the wind is cruel, and the sub-zero temps are brutal! The only thing that would keep me sane would be having an escape plan! I’d spend the entire winter just dreaming of laying in a hammock by the beach. The sun is shining, there’s a lovely light tropical breeze, and the cocktail I am sipping tastes like happiness. If you’ve been needing the extra push to book your SANITY vacay, this is it! Here's my TOP FIVE reasons why you should visit the Caribbean this winter:
1. Sunshine and Warmth ☀️
Yup, it’s number one on the list for a reason, my friends! Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD ) is a real thing. From the mayo clinic: “The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD". So, what better way to soothe your winter blues, than a getaway to somewhere SUNNY and WARM! The Caribbean is renowned for its sunshine and long hours of sunlight, which makes it an ideal destination to visit this winter!
2. Sundowners at a Caribbean beach bar 🍹
There’s nothing quite like watching the sunset on a spectacular day, while you sip your fave cocktail/mocktail with your toes in the sand. There’s a little Jimmy Buffet playing in the background (obviously), and you can hear the pure joy in people's voices as they laugh and chat. What is my ALL-TIME favorite spot for sunset cocktails in the Caribbean?
3. Shopping at the local markets 🛍
I always LOVED strolling around the local markets of each Caribbean island that I visited. From handmade jewelry to woven baskets and hammocks hand-woven from local palm fronds and coconut husks. The markets are an explosion of color and vibrance, and I always felt so inspired by the local artisan ingenuity and creativity! Whether shopping for yourself or for souvenirs to take home to your friends, the island markets are a must-stop. For a stunning mix of Caribbean vibrance and French Chic, here’s a must-stop:
4. Walks on the beach 🏝
Did you know, that the average temperature for the Caribbean in December and January is between 72-82 degrees? That’s the ultimate beach walking conditions there, my friends! Starting and ending your days with a stroll along the oceanside is definitely therapeutic… The sand exfoliates your feet, which have been kept hostage by winter boots for far too long. The warm sunshine on your skin is an instant boost of Vitamin D that you desperately needed. And the Palm trees swaying in the breeze have a calming effect on your nervous system. The beaches can seem endless in the Caribbean, as are the benefits of visiting them! One of my fave Caribbean beaches to walk along is
Leave the layers at home, my sweet friends! Because while you get some well-deserved R&R at your chosen Caribbean destination, no thermals are necessary. I know we share a love of cool cotton fabrics, that’s why you’re here right? So, of course, number 5 on my list of reasons why you should take a Caribbean vacation this winter is… drumroll 🥁…
5. Wearing West Indies Wear from sun up to sun down!! 💙
Whether you’re relaxing by the pool in your favorite cotton sarong, eating fresh fish at the beach bar in a vibrant tunic, adventuring around the island in a practical skort and tee combo, or classing it up in any of our gorgeous island-chic dresses, you’ll be COOL, COMFY and OH, SO STYLISH in West Indies Wear.
So, that’s MY top 5 reasons to visit the Caribbean this winter, island friends! But I know, I know, there’s SO many more… That’s why I created a discussion on this topic in our Island Family FB group. Click on the link below to head over to the post and share your reasons. Or perhaps you already have a trip booked? I would love to hear where you’re going and what you plan to pack!
One Love Island Family x