When it’s cold and snowy here in our part of the world, our planet’s southern hemisphere is basking in the sun’s glow. Why not escape the dreary weather at home with a journey south? There are spectacular vistas waiting to be explored!
Swipe through to find out where you should visit for a taste of summer in winter.
On the southwest coast of South Africa, Cape Town is a lively, diverse city that showcases a lively mix of old and new. The V&A Waterfront is a must-see destination, where you’ll find shopping, dining and incredible views. Go hiking on Table Mountain, and pay tribute to South Africa’s troubled past with a visit to Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has come to symbolize the oppression of the apartheid government.
Part of the Land Down Under, New Zealand offers spectacular natural beauty and friendly Kiwi people who are happy to greet visitors from abroad. Don’t miss Tongariro and Arthur’s Pass national parks, and be sure to enjoy Hāngī, a traditional Māori meal cooked in an underground pit oven using heated rocks.
This sprawling seaside city is spicy hot when we’re shivering in our boots up north. It’s known as a place to let loose and bust a move on the dance floor, but don’t miss the city’s natural beauty and lively beaches. Take a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, a granite peak offering stunning views.
This string of islands is known for its stunning wildlife—many species that call the islands home are found nowhere else on earth. Be sure to plan ahead as visits to many of the islands’ sites are tightly controlled to avoid the ravages of over-tourism.
In Western Zimbabwe, the town of Victoria Falls welcomes visitors who come to witness the spectacular waterfalls of the same name, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding Zambezi National Park, named after the river that creates the falls, is home to white rhinos and elephants.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park isn’t as balmy as some of the other spots on our list, but at around 62 degrees Fahrenheit in January, it’s still warmer than many places in the U.S. The park is known for the spectacular glaciers that cover much of it. Rugged mountains add to the awe-inspiring views.
Off the coast of Mozambique is the island of Madagascar, another place with enormous endemic biodiversity—lots of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. See lemurs at Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and marvel at the unique trees on the Avenue of the Baobabs.