Today I’m sharing my travel column segment over at Sally Cronin’s Smorgasbord blog magazine. In this holiday edition, we’re going to visit 3 lovely and warm places for a great winter escape – Hawaii, Malta, and Martinique.
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Travel Column with D.G. Kaye – Three Winter Sun Destinations – Kauai, Hawaii, Malta and Martinique
For any of us in the colder and wetter climates, a respite somewhere sunny is top of of most of our wish lists. Today three wonderful destinations where you will enjoy warm weather and an even warmer welcome from your hosts. I have selected islands where you can relax and even if it is for just two weeks, boost your tan and well-being before the real winter kicks in.
However, for those of you who crave the excitement and adventure of snow covered mountains and ski slopes, in my next post in two weeks, I will be sharing three top locations accessible to those in North America and Europe.
The first destination is Hawaii and the island of Kauai.
About the Island courtesy of The official island website
Kauai is Hawaii’s fourth largest island and is sometimes called the “Garden Island,” which is an entirely accurate description. The oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain is draped in emerald valleys, sharp mountain spires and jagged cliffs aged by time and the elements. Centuries of growth have formed tropical rainforests, forking rivers and cascading waterfalls! Some parts of Kauai are only accessible by sea or air, revealing views beyond your imagination. More than just dramatic beauty, the island is home to a variety of outdoor activities. You can kayak the Wailua River, snorkel on Poipu Beach, hike the trails of Kokee State Park, or go ziplining above Kauai’s lush valleys. But, it is the island’s laid-back atmosphere and rich culture found in its small towns that make it truly timeless. Explore the regions of Kauai and make your escape to discover the undeniable allure of the island.
Temperatures in November/December/January are between 25 C and 27 C.. with an average of 23C… so very pleasant.
Flight times
From UK: 15 hours, longer if changing planes in US.
From Toronto: 10 hours
From Vancouver: 6 hours
From New York: 10.5 hours
From Los Angeles – 5.5 hours
Exchange rate as of December 1st – Sterling £1 would give you $1.29
Where to stay: Hawaii Guide Kauai Accommodation
Things to do: Tours and activities
Now a European destination, which by all accounts is becoming very popular with North Americans and Canadians via Travel Daily News
The Island of Malta – Mediterranean
The Hon. Konrad Mizzi, Minister of Tourism for Malta, noted that the US was one of the fastest growing tourism markets for Malta, recording a dramatic increase of 31.9% from 2017 to 2018, with a total of 47,170 Americans visitors. The increase from Canada in 2018 was 6.6% (15,015 Canadians) bringing the total arrivals in 2018 from North America (US & Canada) to a record breaking 62,185. This sunny archipelago in the Mediterranean recorded an overall 2.6 million visitors (+14.3% between 2017 and 2018), bringing a record number of tourists to Malta from around the World.
About Malta courtesy of Visit Malta
Megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso’s Cave – The Maltese Islands are positively mythic. The narrow meandering streets of their towns and villages lead to the main square, which is invariably dominated by the huge baroque church. As the countryside is dotted with medieval towers, wayside chapels and the oldest known human structures in the world, the Islands have rightly been described as an open-air museum. Please continue reading at the Smorgasbord
DGKayewriter.com 
I’ve been to Malta in the height of summer when our sons were younger. The heat was unbearable for me. I haven’t been to the other destinations, but they sound wonderful!
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Thanks for sharing that Stevie. I would imagine Malta may be quite warm in summer. I should think early fall would be gorgeous there. ❤
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I would settle for dry right now.. I am sure I have moss in my ears and rust in my joints….not sure I can wait 10 months, I may have to go and check some of these places out!! ♥♥
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Lol Sal, you may have to come visit me in Mexico??? ❤
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I love this series, Debby. I used to collect postage stamps when I was a kid, and some of the most beautiful stamps in the world come from Malta and Martinique. I still haven’t been to either one, but that started my fascination with faraway places.
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Hi Pete. That sounds like a fun collection of stamps. I know many do this with postcards too! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Looks like three great sunny locations, none of which I have yet visited. Thanks for the information… Although we live in Viet Nam which has wonderful tropical weather all year round, we are currently visiting family in Chicago and reading this post with 21 degree weather outside!! Certainly makes all three locations all the more alluring. We also lived for years in Nicaragua in Central America, which has great sunny weather and is a nice lower cost option for a sunny beach vacation.
Peta
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Hi Peta. Thanks for dropping by and letting us know about more wonderful tropical locales. Enjoy your freezing cold in Chicago. I’m in Toronto, Canada feeling the same freeze, lol 🙂
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Thanks for the sunshine, Debby. I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii. Your post tempts me even more. xxx
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Welcome Carol. Maybe you should just do it! 🙂 xxx
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We were just in Hawaii a few months ago for my stepson’s wedding. It was gorgeous!! We want to go back next year and the next…and the next…LOL. Would love to try the Island of Malta!
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Ooh sounds so wonderful! You have the added benefit of living a lot closer to Hawaii than I! Lol 🙂 x
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I’ve added all of them to my list, Debby. Unless I go for a round-the-world trip, I’m not sure I’ll fit everything in, but one never knows! Thanks for the suggestions!
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Lol Olga, you’re so funny ❤
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Hawaii is a great place to visit. Did so in 1968 for R&R from Vietnam (only four or five days in Honolulu) and in 1985 for a Buddhist event (again, just Honolulu for fewer days still). Might want to try it again. We just returned from a conference at a wonderful center 30 miles west of Ft. Lauderdale (that’s why I’ve been absent from here). Weather is much like Hawaii this time of year.
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Oh, fantastic John. I hope to get to Hawaii one day myself. And that weather beats our current 12 degrees F 🙂
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I can feel the sunshine on my face as I type. Wonderful travel post, Deb, and have read and commented over at Sally’s. I’ll be signing off soon with the family all arriving in a couple of days and much to do, and also a laptop that’s given me a reprieve to catch up much to my relief, with the video card on the blink and already crashing on me twice this week…have saved everything on dropbox, needless to say, but won’t be able to sort it now until after Christmas. Next week the whole country will close down lol! Happy Christmas once again my lovely, sweet friend and see you in 2020 in case I’m not able to reply, but hopefully can! ) 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤ xxxxxx
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Aw, thanks so much Sher. Arg, sorry about your laptop, must be contagious as I’m having lots of grief with mine, hoping to drag it out for a few more months LOL. Santa! We need new laptops!!! Thanks for the last drop by my friend. Enjoy the holidays with your family. Sending more love and hugs to you!!! ❤ xoxoxo
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