If you are like me, and can’t stand the cold even if your life depended on it, there are a few lovely warm places you can head to. Surprisingly some of these places wouldn’t even cost you an arm and a leg. So pack up and get your gears, to some of the toastier places of Asia.
KRABI, THAILAND
Warm beaches and clear blue skies, Krabi is a great place for a winter getaway. The water around the area is clear and snorkeling and island hopping is definitely a must do. The main attractions are actually the islands off the coast of Krabi itself. Some of the most notable islands are the clusters around Koh Poda, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Hong. If you want a more mainland activity, you can even try elephant trekking.
PERHENTIAN, MALAYSIA
Perhentian Islands is located off the east cost of Malaysia, off the shores of Terengganu. To get there, first you have to make your way to the Kuala Besut Jetty. Once at the jetty, there will be a lot of boats that can shuttle you to the island. The water around the island itself is crystal clear and you can literally see corals and the abundant sea life even right from the beach. Snorkeling and scuba diving is the favorite pastime here and even turtles and small sharks are a common sighting. You will never find another island quite like it.
MALDIVES
The most beautiful cluster of islands located in the southwest of India, Maldives is the smallest country in Asia but with islands so beautiful that tourism is the main industry of this nation. Surrounded by the great Indian Ocean, you can only imagine the abundant marine life including whales and dolphins, around this remote islands. Away from the world, visitors can only reach Maldives via the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in its capital city of Male.
BORACAY
Located towards the south of Manila, on the islands of the Philippines, Boracay is not only famous for its white sandy beaches but also for it’s exciting nightlife. One of the must do here is to get a ride on the colorful paraws or sailboats. The beach itself is well developed with plenty of restaurants and hotels. If your idea of paradise on Earth is one with never-ending parties surrounded by beautiful nature then Boracay is definitely the place for you.
LOMBOK, INDONESIA
Hailed as the new Bali, Lombok is pristine, not as crowded and offers not only gorgeous beaches, but also various outdoor activities. Accommodations are varied as it caters for the high end travelers and also backpackers. The island itself is huge and is also where the Gili islands are located. Not only can you dive and snorkel, but there are also surfing activities that can be done on the southern side of the islands. This is also where Mt Rinjani is located. Mt Rinjani is the second highest volcano in Indonesia and hiking it to see the crater is another favorite activity on Lombok.