There’s no need to put up with the winter blahs this year. Travel agencies, resorts, and airlines have all teamed up to offer the best tropical getaway deals in years. It doesn’t take much searching to find the right fun in the sun venue for singles, couples, and families. And if you book your flights now for vacations in January and February you can save significant money. Put these hotspots on your list:
Pattaya, Thailand
There are over 20 miles of pristine beaches surrounding this lively town on the Gulf of Thailand. For adults, the nightlife is nearly as vibrant and diverse as in Bangkok itself. For couples and families, the beaches offer endless swimming, sunbathing, and shell collecting opportunities.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Kid friendly Punta Cana caters to the SpongeBob Squarepants and Mutant Teenage Ninja Turtles crowd, with popular cartoon characters available for interactions and photos on the beach, at the pool, and even around the conch bar — where they serve up the best conch stew this side of paradise.
Orlando, Florida
If you book far enough in advance you can get discounts on everything; hotel rooms, Disney World passes, and Inland Waterway tours, to name just a few. If you come down in February you can spend a day in a real citrus orchard picking oranges, lemons, and even kumquats to take home or to trade for gift cards to local restaurants and boutiques.