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Caribbean winter sun + new Athens Riviera article
Published 6 months ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader
It feels as though we only just put away the Christmas decorations and already we are half way through January! In a few weeks I'll be flying to Australia for a family visit and certainly won't miss the February grey skies here in the UK.
While I love the relaxed lifestyle of Australia, the 24 hours flying time can be a challenge. So in this newsletter I'm channelling Caribbean vibes - bringing you winter sun destinations that are more easily accessible, whichever side of the Atlantic you're coming from.
I also hope you enjoy my latest article about the Athens Riviera, from our visit last September. This stretch of coastline south of Athens is known for its beaches, seaside restaurants and luxury lifestyle. But as always we looked beyond the stylish beach clubs to seek out some authentic and unspoiled spots.
Wishing you sunny days ahead
Heather x
PS. Read to the end to find out 'What I'm loving right now'.
Sunny days and colourful houses in Aruba
New Year Travel Deals
We make a small commission at no additional cost to you, which helps keep this newsletter and blog free.
Booking: At least 15% off your next stay with Early 2026 deals. Book now, stay any time until April 2026.
VRBO: Browse Early Booking Deals on holiday apartments and villas worldwide, when you book at least 60 days in advance.
Sykes Cottages: Search for special offers and discounts on holiday cottages around the UK.
Warner Hotels: Up to 20% off on adult only leisure breaks in Warner Holiday's own hotels.
Jet2 Holidays: Check out the £100 per person discount and an additional £100 off some 2026 holidays with code NOTHINGBEATS for sunshine holidays from the UK.
Caribbean inspiration
As we head for chilly February in the UK, it's not too late to book a sunshine getaway in the Caribbean. I've visited many of the Caribbean islands, each with its individual character, so check out the articles below for some inspiration.
St Lucia - lush and rugged
On my visits to St Lucia I've been struck by the island's abundant beauty, a product of past volcanic activity. Read this article to discover hidden waterfalls, hiking trails on volcanic peaks, and lush rainforest.
Click to read about volcanoes, waterfalls and hiking
Aruba - warm and cosmopolitan
The warm, colourful and cosmopolitan island of Aruba is part of the Dutch Antilles. We share our favourite things to see in Aruba, from pastel painted houses and street art, to the wild northern shore and sophisticated food scene.
Get a taste of Grenada's chocolate festival, with the 13th edition coming up in May 2026. Even if you can't visit during the festival, there are numerous ways to enjoy cacao and chocolate experiences at any time of year on the Spice Isle.
You can also read about my adventures hiking in Grenada, where I discovered waterfalls, hot springs and plantation walks.
Click to read about Grenada for chocolate lovers
Cayman Islands - call of the ocean
The charms of the Cayman Islands seem very much bound up with the ocean.These islands boast pristine beaches and are surrounded by reefs for diving and snorkelling. Read about water sports, swimming with stingrays, and the top beaches we recommend.
Click to read about the beaches and water sports in Grand Cayman
New Article: A guide to the Athens Riviera
The Athens Riviera just south of Athens, is known for its beaches, seaside restaurants and luxury lifestyle. If you're sightseeing in Athens, visiting the coastline of the Athenian Riviera is an easy way to add some beach time to your trip. Our guide covers what to see, the best beaches, places to eat, where to stay and how to get around.
Listen to this: I enjoyed listening to this podcast with Hilary Bradt, co-founder of Bradt Guides, talking about the early days of travel publishing, as well as the dilemmas of responsible tourism. Hilary recently contributed to the British Guild of Travel Writers Anthology Around the world in 65 years, a wonderful collection of travel writing if you need some holiday reading.
Enjoyed reading this article: Is tourism working for women in Saudi Arabia? by Yvette Cook. I've followed with interest the rapid development of tourism in Saudi Arabia, but am torn over the kingdom's record on womens' rights and human rights. This interesting article sheds light on how tourism is creating business opportunities for women in tourism but deals honestly with some of those issues.
Just ordered these (again): I use these re-useable make up remover pads daily at home (if you are in the USA use this link), but they come into their own when travelling. Ladies, add a few to your makeup bag on your next trip - remove makeup then rinse and dry overnight. Saves space and reduces waste.
Travelling soon?
If you are travelling soon it really helps us if you use the booking links below.
We make a small commission at no additional cost to you, which helps keep this newsletter and blog free.
Hotels: I use Booking but Expedia is also good for flight + hotel packages.
Tours: For top end food tours, we recommend Devour Tours and small group tours with Take Walks. Both Get Your Guide and Viator are also great for tours and experiences.
Trains: For train bookings in Europe use Rail Europe. Byway Travel also offer great no-fly itineraries in Europe and beyond.
Car Hire: For car hire I use the car rental arm of Booking.com (but always check the scores and reviews of each provider).
Villas & Cottages: VRBOfor villas and holiday rentals worldwide and Sykes Cottages for UK cottages.
Printable resources to download
As a thank you for being part of the Heather on her travels community, I provide extra travel resources exclusively for subscribers (that's you!)
These FREE resources are easy to download, to print or save on your mobile as a handy reference - check them out below.
Authentic, sustainable travel with a little luxury
Join 1000+ subscribers for my weekly newsletter with travel tips and ideas for where to go next. It's for anyone looking for an authentic and sustainable travel experience with a little luxury, especially 50+ travellers. Come along with me to taste the food, explore the culture, go hiking or stay in a stylish boutique hotel. I feature exciting destinations in the UK and Europe, as well as further afield such as Canada & USA, Caribbean, India & Sri Lanka, Jordan and many more.
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