I'm looking at these images of the beautiful island of Crete and thinking: was it really three months ago that I was padding across the sand?! Yes, yes it was. However, it was cold then and it's cold now and so now seems like the perfect time to discuss some winter sun. Tomorrow has become renowned for being the most depressing date of the year thanks to a decade-old study, earning it the name Blue Monday, and so consider this post an injection of Vitamin D into your world! If you haven't already booked a dose of sunshine for the remaining months of this winter, now is the time. Alternatively, look ahead and schedule a week in a tropical climate for later in the year; preferably around the time when the temperature drops where you are and you're left pining for bikinis...

For those curious about the location shown in this blog post, all photos were taken on the beautiful Greek island of Crete during mid-October of last year. The trip lasted for one week, however it should have been longer but unfortunately I became very ill beforehand and had to fly out to join my partner later in the week! Thankfully, the sun did a fabulous job at healing and seven blissful days were spent touring across the island by car, stopping at beaches and indulging in plenty of local cuisine. My favourite hotel of the trip? Mr and Mrs White Crete Resort & Spa. The all-white theme to their hotels makes for a beautifully clean and fresh stay - and of course, Instagrammable too!

When was the last time you set off to a warm climate in the middle of winter? Do you have any winter sun planned for this year? Let me know in the comments below!
Liked this post? You might also enjoy >> A Solo Traveller's Guide To Amsterdam
With love,
Gabrielle x
_______________________
C H A S E T H E S U N
Let's start with the most obvious appeal of booking winter sun travel: you'll be chasing the sun. Good bye freezing cold limbs and hello sun kissed cheeks
A B R E A K F R O M T H E N O R M
Monotony usually starts to creep in for most of us while the season hasn't quite yet transitioned into the next. For example, the month of October, at which point summer is over and yet the festive season hasn't quite got underway. Switching up your schedule and providing a very good reason to get excited is the perfect break from the norm you (most likely) need
A V O I D T H E C R O W D S
Ever tried to enjoy a quiet stroll on a beach during peak season? Ughhh. Off-peak travel tends to have a much more relaxed and romantic feel to it. You have more space and freedom to do whatever you please. You're more likely to secure your favourite table at a restaurant, enjoy a quiet moment with your partner before a kid comes over and drops ice cream on your foot and the list goes on and on...
_______________________
_______________________
L O W E R R A T E S
Nooooow we're talking! One of the most praised elements of winter sun travel is often the better rates. Your budget allows for a different hotel bracket and far more little luxuries can be packed into your trip - guilt-free!
H E L L O , V I T A M I N D
The psychological benefits of jetting off for winter sun while the weather is terrible at home are incredible. 90% of our essential Vitamin D needs to come from sun exposure. However, throughout the months of October-March, the sun's ultraviolet rays are not strong enough for the body to synthesise into Vitamin D. And that, ladies and gents, is your reason to get on and book some winter sun!
_______________________

For those curious about the location shown in this blog post, all photos were taken on the beautiful Greek island of Crete during mid-October of last year. The trip lasted for one week, however it should have been longer but unfortunately I became very ill beforehand and had to fly out to join my partner later in the week! Thankfully, the sun did a fabulous job at healing and seven blissful days were spent touring across the island by car, stopping at beaches and indulging in plenty of local cuisine. My favourite hotel of the trip? Mr and Mrs White Crete Resort & Spa. The all-white theme to their hotels makes for a beautifully clean and fresh stay - and of course, Instagrammable too!

When was the last time you set off to a warm climate in the middle of winter? Do you have any winter sun planned for this year? Let me know in the comments below!
Liked this post? You might also enjoy >> A Solo Traveller's Guide To Amsterdam
With love,
Gabrielle x
Crete looks so amazing!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
style frontier
It looks beautiful! I've often thought about heading up north when the winter cold sets in here for a little extra sunshine but we haven't done it yet - maybe when the kids are a bit bigger! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful weekend! We went to a theme park yesterday with family visiting from Western Australia and it was so fun :)
Away From Blue
I totally agree with you. Vitamin D and spending time in the sun...such a great way to fight the winter blues. Visiting summer destinations in winter makes so much sense. One gets to avoid the crowds...and save money in the process. Winter travel is seriously underrated. I'm so blessed that I work and live on island Hvar this year. When they offered me this job, I didn't even think about it. I was just saying today how lovely it is to spend winter by the sea. I look forward to months of exploring island Hvar!
ReplyDeleteI can understand why browsing these Crete photos gave you such wanderlust. Beautiful photos. Greece is so beautiful, I'd love to visit some day. Crete looks like such a magical island. You took some great shots there. It seems like you had a blast! I hope you'll enjoy your winter visited as well. I'm sure that it is amazing in winter as well.
I sometimes head to the Central Coast here in California during November or December, but not often enough!! One of these years, I'm gonna book a sunny holiday with my girls & enjoy being all hot & sunkissed whilst everyone at home is "freezing" from CA cold temperatures :') xx
ReplyDeletehttps://brineandbooks.com
Some winter sun would do me just fine right now. Really need to go somewhere!! These photos are gorgeous x
ReplyDeleteOh it would be lovely with some time in a warm place with lots of sun! But I'm honestly still waiting for the first snow to happen haha. Snow and sun in combination is just winter magic!I have to admit though that I kind of feel like spending some time at the beach when I saw these pics! Xx
ReplyDeletewww.thefashionfolks.com
All of these photos are so beautiful and are definitely making me miss the summer! It's freezing where I am, so I would love to be somewhere sunny and warm! Thanks for sharing! I loved reading this! :)
ReplyDeletemelissakacar.blogspot.com
These pictures are stunning Gabrielle! I'd love to say I have some winter sun booked in, but I'll be making do with the cold (and vitamin D tablets haha) for now!
ReplyDeleteAmy xx
callmeamy.co.uk
These photos are so breathtaking! If it wasn't for my internship right now, oh how I'd go somewhere warm and sunny! <3
ReplyDeletehttp://www.couture-case.com
I keep hovering over the book now button, I'm so so tempted. I'm so tired of the dark nights, and cold mornings and really need some sun and fun. Your photos are beautiful! I love your bikini too, it's so cute xx
ReplyDeleteMakeup Muddle
Very beautiful photos! I so want to get to a place where it's warm right now
ReplyDeletehttp://www.recklessdiary.ru
You look so happy and fabulous on the beach! Luckily it never gets too cold in Hong Kong, but I could definitely use some more sun as well! Might wink and smile at my husband a few times, and ask him to take me on a trip :)
ReplyDeleteAh yes a winter getaway! Though it has been fairly warm almost don't need to lol. Oh my Crete does indeed look wonderful and of course you looked great the entire trip!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
What a charming place! Love your photos dear!
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
For sure I want to spend winters somewhere tropical. Stunning photos beauty!
ReplyDeletewww.fashionradi.com
Ahh, I want Summer! These photos are incredible *_*
ReplyDeleteShoot for the stars | ☆ ☆ ☆ | Facebook page | ☆ ☆ ☆ | Instagram
Totally worth it to catch some sun and relaxing time. Thank you for a wonderful post as always
ReplyDeleteLindifique
Nice to visit your blog again and yes I'm back :) Holiday is always in my mind from summer to winter. I haven't been to the Greek islands, your photos make me want to go there right now.
ReplyDeletewww.busyandfab.com
You have mentioned some very valuable tips and pros here! I agree that it is especially nice when you can get a discounted price for the hotel/flight (because of the off-season) and you also get a very needed dose of Vitamin D (which is so crucial!). Great travel post here, Gabrielle xx
ReplyDeleteNaya
www.nayatilly.com
Winter sun sounds great! I did it once however because I get tanned super quick and super dark, it's not a great look in the middle of winter in the UK haha.
ReplyDeleteThe only winter break I had, I just ended up having to avoid sun as I didn't want to end up like someone who juts uses too much fake tan lol
as much as the idea of it is amazing I can't do it. :( xx
Elegant Duchess xx
https://www.elegantduchess.com/
We visited Crete a couple of years ago and it was absoloutely gorgeous! I've always been tempted by some winter sun but I'm always worried everything will be so quiet and the weather a bit rubbish! That said, my birthday was in January and I've always thought how nice it would be to get abroad for it...
ReplyDeleteMusings & More
So so beautiful photos. I have never been there but i would like to :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a winter dream! I took a break as well, but ''unfortunately'' ended somewhere colder than home, and kept dreaming of tropical places. And I love traveling when places aren't so crowded and over populated as well, it has so much perks <3
ReplyDeleteLackaDaisy
This is perfect timing, as I've been thinking of planning a trip for many of these same reasons. I need some sunshine! Beautiful pictures as always, Gabrielle! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKathryn • simplykk.com
I think having a little getaway in winter is a great idea, helps stave off the January blues :)
ReplyDeleteSarah xo Oomph London
we ALWAYS try to avoid the big crowd levels, haha, a trip to the sun in winter is such a nice idea.
ReplyDeleteSkeletonWeirdo
Your pictures are always so dreamy hon :) xx
ReplyDeletewww.fashionjazz.co.za
Goodness yes Winter Sun bookings are always a good idea and wonderful to sit and experience sunshine when it is so cold at home in England.
ReplyDeleteYou have shared some beautiful images here Gabrielle, and how wonderful do you look in your bikini!
Hope you're well and thanks for sharing this lovely post with us :)
Laura xo
www.shehearts.net
I always go to Portugal in winter,as need that extra bit of sun x gonna miss it this year
ReplyDelete