Brighten Your January by Dreaming of These Five Sunny Destinations
The festive period has come and gone, and the spot where the brightly lit Christmas tree once sat now feels like a bare and empty space. To bring some brightness into a normally gloomy January, Booking.com has curated a list of destinations around the world that promise long, sun-filled days, waiting to be enjoyed once it is safe again to do so. Insights from Booking.com’s Future of Travel Report reveal that despite travel restrictions and lockdowns, 65%* of US travelers are looking forward to traveling again. So, for those excited to see the world once it’s possible and safe to do so again, dreaming of these sunny destinations just might help to brighten up your January.
Songkhla is a beautiful city nestled between two seas and boasts ancient and cultural sights of interest. Famed for the long sunny days in the early months of the new year, this destination is the perfect spot to dream about escaping to during the grey and rainy weather that many countries face in January. Its slow-paced atmosphere and the plethora of local beaches make it the perfect destination for any sun worshippers looking to relax and work on their tan when it’s safe to travel again.
Where to stay:
Songkhla Tae Raek Antique Hotel perfectly captures the diverse cultural melting pot of Songhkla, which is home to Thais, Chinese and Malays. Throughout the hotel, visitors can admire the traditional décor and ornaments which tastefully highlight the fusion of the cultures.
Whatever time of year visiting Phoenix, sunshine and bright blue skies are almost always guaranteed. This thriving desert metropolis boasts an incredible 3,872 hours of sunshine each year, making it one of the sunniest places on this planet! But it’s not just the weather that draws travelers here, Phoenix is a cultural hub with opera houses, the state’s finest museums, as well as the Desert Botanical Garden, a stunning 140-acre park home to thousands of species of cactus, trees and flowers from around the world.
Where to stay:
Dream of staying at a home away from home in the heart of Phoenix to make the most of the city’s offerings at Sonder — Hance Park. These stylish apartments are located within walking distance of the Phoenix Art Museum, Burton Barr Library and Heard Museum. The apartments also grant visitors access to the communal pool, great for those wanting to make the most of the glorious sunshine when it’s safe to travel again.
Small but mighty - despite only encompassing 0.62 miles by 0.37 miles, Malta’s capital is rich in 16th century history, which has earned the city the World Heritage site stamp by UNESCO. Located right by the water, this ancient walled city is where artisan markets, vibrant dining meet 7,000 years of history. This destination also tops all weather charts in Europe, offering the most amount of sunshine in the Mediterranean.
Where to stay:
Set in a typical Maltese Post-War building, Ursulino Valletta fuses modern-style living with historic charm. The Bed and Breakfast also features a gorgeous terrace with sea views, making it the perfect spot for guests to enjoy a drink after a day of exploring the old city once it’s safe to travel again.
The port city on the glamorous Provencal coastline guarantees some of the sunniest weather in Europe, with a daily average of 7.25 hours of sunshine. While travelers will be treated to blue skies all year around, it is during the summer months when this city really does come to life. From a port lined with magnificent yachts, to locals soaking up the sunshine in the numerous cafes – travelers will fall in love with the city’s atmosphere once it’s safe to travel again.
Where to stay:
Visitors will be swept up in the elegance of the South of France by staying at Villa Valflor - set in a 19th century country house. This B&B has since been renovated and modernised for a truly comfortable stay and even includes a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool.
Under a near-permanent canopy of blue sky, Perth is one of the sunniest cities in Australia. This destination really is an all-rounder, offering something for everyone when it’s safe to travel again; for the beach lovers, there are plenty to choose from, for culture vultures, Perth now has a thriving street-art scene and for the foodies, there are restaurants serving just about every cuisine from around the globe.
Where to stay:
InterContinental Perth City Centre features very luxurious accommodation with spacious and sophisticatedly designed rooms, right in the centre of Perth, so visitors will not have to venture too far to explore the surrounding area.
With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, when it’s safe to do so again, Booking.com is sharing travel deals for travelers to use when booking their early 2021 trips. Discounts start at 20 percent and are valid for stays between 5 January and 31 March 2021.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who have traveled for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and must be planning to travel in the next 12 months (if/once travel restrictions are lifted). In total 20,934 respondents across 28 countries and territories were polled (including from 999 USA, 496 from Canada, 497 from Mexico, 997 from Colombia, 999 from Brazil, 499 from Argentina, 995 from Australia, 499 from New Zealand, 999 from Spain, 996 from Italy, 996 from France, 999 from UK, 996 from Germany, 498 from Netherlands, 499 from Denmark, 499 from Sweden, 498 from Croatia, 1001 from Russia, 498 from Israel, 997 from India, 994 from China, 499 from Hong Kong, 497 from Thailand, 496 from Singapore, 499 from Taiwan, 997 from South Korea, 500 from Vietnam and 995 from Japan). Respondents completed an online survey in July 2020.