Five Winter Vacation Spots for Snowbirds Seeking Sun and Adventure

Those lucky enough to be able to take off during the colder months prefer the term “winter vacationer” to “snowbird.” But whatever you call them, they’re escape artists, seeking rest in the unforgiving gray skies and snow of much of Canada.

Snowbirds are looking for destinations that offer immersive cultural experiences. Stephen Fine, president and editor-in-chief of Snowbird Advisor, noted that the new generation of Canadian snowbirds is more adventurous, especially as destinations outside the U.S. become more accessible and, perhaps more importantly, cheaper.

“Most of my snowbird clients travel to Portugal and Spain,” says Georgia Rakopoulos, a travel consultant at Uniglobe Enterprise Travel, “but I expect demand from Greece to increase in the future.” ”

Generally, Lakopros’ clients are seniors seeking stays longer than three weeks. She added that most people want the opportunity to explore the area and experience its culture and cuisine: “They are looking for rich and meaningful experiences. ”

MRG Travel Director Georgia Kourakos says Italy, Portugal, Greece and Spain are her clients’ top picks. “They are eager to explore these destinations further, go to the beach, meet the locals and experience a deeper connection to the local culture,” she said.

So, where to go next? If you’re already planning a vacation next winter, consider these destinations.

Baja California Sur

It’s a water sports and art lover’s dream, and its dry climate compared to mainland Mexico makes it an affordable and healthy option outside of Arizona.

Loreto, a coastal town in the Gulf of California that separates the Baja Peninsula from mainland Mexico, has well-established Canadian diaspora communities, particularly in the Loreto Bay area of Nopolo. Living close to water has proven to be good for both mental and physical health, as have social networking and volunteering opportunities within the community.

Theresa Storm, a travel journalist in Calgary, lives in Nopolo with her husband, Reid Winter, and while Storm would like to see more health care options, Loreto Community Hospital does have several excellent bilingual doctors and several excellent dentists.

“I’ve traveled the world,” Storm said. “So, the fact that we chose to be here Snowbird says a lot.” Average prices range from $85 to $300 per night, but if you book a six-month stay, it’s only $80 per night. Many hotels are locally operated, such as Hotel 1697, Posada de las Flores, Hotel Oasis and Hotel La Mision, Therefore, it is best to contact them directly to negotiate long-term prices.

Los Cabos, located at the southern tip of the peninsula, has made the safety of its 300 million annual travelers a top priority, investing $5000 million to upgrade security infrastructure and personnel. Digital nomads are also attracted to solid technological infrastructure. Art lovers will love San Jose Cabo and its established expat artist community. High-quality health care is readily available, but it is privately operated, so visitors need to purchase health insurance beyond the provincial plan.

Sarasota, Florida

Ah, the Sunshine State: the sea, the sand, and the immune-boosting Sunshine Vitamin D.

Florida is a second home for many Canadians, hosting more than 2019 million Canadian visitors in 400, 65% of whom were on vacation. After the lockdown ended, nearly 2022 million Canadians returned to the beach for a walk again in 300.

But let’s think outside the box of Fort Myers or Miami: Sarasota County, for example, is home to 56 kilometers of beaches along the state’s Gulf Coast, attracting health seekers to wander barefoot on the ultrafine quartz crystal sands of Nap Beach and a soothing warm mineral park steeped at 29 degrees Celsius.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the city of Sarasota as the best place to retire in the US for 2022, while Venice, a historic town on the outskirts of Sarasota, was named one of five affordable places to retire near the beach (because waterfront living in the Gulf of Mexico isn’t always cheap!).

Although the average price on a beach in the United States is around $390,000, the median price of an apartment here is slightly higher at $405,000. (Vero Beach and Daytona Beach also rank in the top five, with lower average home prices, but located on the Atlantic side of the state, the water temperature can be about 10 degrees lower.) With a sales tax of 6% and tax exemptions on groceries and medicines, more than 26% of Venice’s 000,60 citizens are over the age of 65, making it like living in an exclusive community of seniors with concerts and festivals and community theater. Sarasota is an hour’s drive from Fort Myers International Airport or Tampa International Airport.

Osoyoos and Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

A year-round favorite among wine drinkers and food lovers – and clumsy people love it too.

It’s been a tough summer for Osoyoos, and the wildfire evacuation order was just lifted this week. But that’s not the norm for this town of 5,500 people nestled in the fertile Okanagan Valley. Located in the desert of southern British Columbia, Canada, the region is home to world-class vineyards that offer chef-to-table cuisine and is one of the warmest places in Canada during the winter – daytime temperatures can hover over in February, with temperatures of 6 degrees Celsius and snowfall of only about 5 inches per year. Perfect for hikers, birdwatchers and golfers, you can tee off on the fairways during the colder months, then swap the club for low-impact snowshoes and cross-country skis when it snows.

Many wineries in the Oliver Osoyoos region are open year-round, including winner Tinhorn Creek and Canada’s first Aboriginal-owned winery, Nk’Mip Cellars. The region also hosts the annual Wine Country Winter Festival on the last weekend of November and the first weekend of December.

Further south, Watermark Beach Resort (watermarkbeachresort.com) offers extended stay deals on the shores of Lake Osoyoos. From Oct. 11,2023, to March 31,2024,monthly prices range from $3,31 for a one-bedroom cityview home to $2,069 for a two-bedroom beach home as of press time – all inclusive of taxes, Wi-Fi, parking, and weekly housekeeping.

Bonus? No passport is required, and there is no need to purchase additional medical insurance, as any costs incurred will be credited to your province – just don’t forget your provincial health card. Pets are also welcome, and you might even see the legendary Okanagan Lake monster, Ogopogo.

Ecuador

From the Amazon to the Andes to the Galapagos Islands, this country is within easy reach of many of the sights on your wish list.

Nature and culture lovers will surely revel in these options, in addition, this South American country scores highly in terms of weather, especially if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder, since Ecuador’s daylight offers 12 hours of light throughout the year with no change.

All people have access to health care through public health networks and their centres; Private healthcare is also affordable. Ecuador has a low crime rate, more than 300 tourist police throughout the country, and has a safe travel seal issued by the World Travel and Tourism Council. The capital city of Quito has modern infrastructure and is surrounded by old-world charm; According to International Living magazine, which specializes in living and retirement overseas, retired couples on a budget can live comfortably here for less than $22,000 a year.

In Quito, expect to spend around $1,800 per month on two-bedroom apartment rent, cleaning services, healthcare, entertainment, and eating out. And, while the official language is Spanish, there are plenty of people who speak English in major cities, but it’s also a good opportunity to learn some phrases from a new language (consider the benefits of networking and brain enhancement).

Greece

Although places like Greece have suffered devastating effects of extreme heat this summer, it remains a top destination for colder season travelers. This birthplace of democracy is experiencing a renaissance and attracting digital nomads of all ages, a trend that exploded during the pandemic.

This is an option worth considering for travelers who want to enter the Blue Zone of Longevity, the region in the world where people live the longest average life, but still maintain a workforce.

The country has 250 sunny days a year that may remind you of the Mediterranean Sea and its beautiful islands, but in winter, you can ski in parts of the mainland. Head to ski on the slopes of the Voras Mountains, where Kaimaktsalan Resort is located. At 2,524 metres above sea level, the piste is one of 13 pistes and starts downhill with views of the Gulf of Thermaikos, Lake Vegoritida and Mount Olympus, home of the gods.

High-speed trains connect Athens with Greece’s second largest city. Thessaloniki is right north of the Aegean Sea, and centuries of Greek, Balkan, Byzantine, Jewish and Eastern influences have created a uniquely multicultural city that is worth a visit.

According to Numbeo, a global database of the cost of living, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs an average of around $680 per month; In Athens, about $750. Add in around $1,200 in utilities, cell phones, Wi-Fi, monthly transportation passes, meals, and entertainment, and you should budget between $2,000 and $2,200 per month. English is widely spoken; Greece’s proximity to other ancient world wishlist destinations such as Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey also makes Greece a convenient European hub.