Warm seas, hot sand, salty breezes. These are the things that occupy my dreams when frost coats my windshield and icy winds find cracks to blow in through my house. At such moments I can close my eyes and remember the bounce of a catamaran over the waves just off the coast of Fiji or the feel of blazing sun warming my skin as I swam the crystal clear waters of Cozumel.

With such fancies dancing through my mind, I was delighted when my friend Cailin of A White Picket Fence invited me to join her in a blog challenge featuring warm winter escapes.

I’ve not had many winter getaways in my life, but oh how I cherish the ones I’ve had!

Walking the beach in New Zealand was glorious. Flowers dotting the sand dunes charmed me no end and I loved sitting there, gazing out to sea, letting the breezes toss my hair while the waves lulled me into sleepy peace.

Cancun was a wonderful escape. Traveling on the off season I spent hours on the nearly deserted beach swimming, resting, napping, looking, walking, just soaking it all in. Here’s a video I took with my phone that will give you a little visual escape to white sand and turquoise water.

Cozumel was one of my favorites. As soon as we left the main town, life slowed down beautifully and I loved driving the back roads, discovering flower-filled neighborhoods, deserted beaches, and lusciously cool waves crashing onto craggy rocks and dazzlingly white sand.

Next month I’ll be wending my way to Fiji and Australia for a true winter getaway with dear friends. It will be my first time to Australia and I can’t wait to explore that amazing place with people I love to bits.

What is your dream place to get away to?

Be sure to stop by Cailin’s blog today for excellent tips on planning a winter escape to the Caribbean. Click here to visit.