It is that time of year again when everyone takes a good cold look at where we live, and start planning that time away somewhere warm. A couple of my friends have given me some ideas that I would like to share for those looking for an excuse or a destination. I will start with the excuse first.
Cape Town, South Africa:
Cape Town is a wonderful place for a vacation but also a great place to study. Cape Town is home to great English language schools like Quality English Interlink in Cape Town which provide for a great break from the Swedish winter, but also give a great opportunity for studying English and secure a better foundation in the language for employment or a university education abroad.
Argentina:
Argentina is a great get-away if you want to have a bit of the city and a bit of the beach. Buenos Aires is an amazing city filled with small restaurants, allies to explore and culture and recent history to add to the flavor. If you want to plan in some time at the beach, board one of the luxury coaches with fully reclining seats and head to the small resort town of Pinamar. This town is home to a beautiful pine forest that has grown into the white sand dunes that are just back from the beach. The sand roads lined with luxury villa rentals make a wonderful break from the snow back at home.
It is worth saying again, that the food and the coffee of this country are worth the trip regardless of what else you do there. It is very easy to get to with an easy 12 hour flight from Madrid and a palate for adventure.
Sydney Australia:
Nothing beats welcome the New Year coming from the Sydney Harbor with fireworks filling your view as you lie back on a beach towel in Dawes Point Park beneath the bridge. The warm climate, the even warmer people make for a stress free vacation.
The locals, with the visitors flocking after them, head to Bondi Beach for what they call a Sun burnt Christmas. The sound of waves and the smell of surf really adds memory to your Christmas day.
Dinners along the harbor overlooking Opera House or a casual Christmas cruise full of turkey and Christmas pudding would be a distraction to what your family and friends have to endure in the Northern hemisphere.
