Do you fancy the beach or the mountains this winter?

It seems to be getting darker and colder by the hour, which means one thing – Winter is well and truly here, and although we can’t change the weather, we can bring you as close to whichever season you feel, whether you prefer soak up the sun or shredding on the snow, it’s time to start planning your winter vacation, and we want to help you make that all important decision. So here are just a few options to help you decide between the beach or the mountains when planning your big winter trip.

Sydney, Australia VS Aspen, Colorado, USA

Australia allows you to spend Christmas in 26°C heat, and it is even common for residents to enjoy a barbecue on the beach for their annual Christmas meal. In our opinion, the long distant flight is worth it to experience wishing fellow beach goers a merry Christmas whilst jumping into the warm, blue sea. It literally doesn’t get any better than if you want a Christmas in the sun. On the flip side is Aspen, one of the world’s most famous ski resorts and for a good reason! After hosting the World Championships in 1950, it became a retreat for celebrities and a practice ground for Olympic athletes due to the difficulty of the runs (there isn’t one green!) Expect many gourmet restaurants and galleries catered for the high clientele, which you can enjoy when not in the snow.

Costa Rica VS Zermatt, Switzerland

­Although it’s a pretty small country, Costa Rica proudly holds 5% of the worlds existing biodiversity throughout its conservations and naturally protected territory that make up 25% of the countries surface area. There are also several amazingly beautiful Volcanos such as Irazù, where, from the top you can see both the pacific and Caribbean ocean! There are also plenty of activities available such as zip lining, and several natural hot springs if you get bored of the beaches.

Switzerland has a reputation for brilliant ski resorts, but Zermatt is leaps and bounds ahead of its neighbours. For starters, it is easily recognised by the Iconic Matterhorn mountain, made famous by Toblerone, but as you get into the town centre, the narrow cobbled street, and luxury restaurants make the picturesque resort even more magical. But the wonders don’t just stop at its aesthetically pleasing nature. Zermatt offers several glaciers providing great snow for the entire region, and the 50 on mountain restaurants deliver some of the best table-to-piest cuisine you’ll ever experience.

South Africa VS Chamonix, France

There is so much to do in South Africa that by the end of your trip you’ll be wishing you could hit the ski slopes to relax. Beyond the Safari’s South Africa has the longest zip lining cable trails in the world and, what better way to explore the the Sabie River than ‘Geckoing’ in an inflatable raft. Don’t forget that all of this is done during the 11 hours of sunshine and average daily temperatures of 26°C.

Chamonix is also aimed at adrenalin seeking enthusiasts, as it is widely recognised as the birth place of extreme skiing, so expect plenty of snow parks if that’s your thing, even just to watch the professionals. Chamonix consists of a huge 11 ski areas, so you have plenty of space to explore. The town centre of Chamonix is about as stereotypical as you would expect from a mountain village, where the cobbled stone roads and ban on cars creates a peaceful mountain atmosphere.

 Dubai, UAE VS Whistler, British Columbia

Dubai is the most glamorous and impressive place in the United Arab Emirites, it is home to the world’s tallest building, largest shopping mall and the largest man-made island to name a few. It has an average daily temperature of 30°C in the winter, and the warm, sandy beaches are ideal to relax on. Meanwhile, British Columbia claims to have the world’s largest ski park, the largest skiable vertical drops and the biggest ski area on the planet – 8,171 acres, just a few thousand more than the largest indoor ski area in… you guessed it, Dubai.

Barbados, Caribbean islands VS Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Probably the most recognisably picturesque place on the planet, Barbados is The Caribbean’s biggest islands and the bright white beaches and crystal clear blue water are not the only things on offer in this majestic country, there is plenty of history to explore and plenty of exotic fish and turtles which you can snorkel with. Of course, there is also a variety of luxurious restaurants and bars – perfect for long lunches and dinners.

The Italian resort of Cortina in the Dolomites has been called the most beautiful mountain in the world, and although this is a hard sell, it is certainly up there with the greats. It is the most upscale resort in all of Italy with plenty of boutiques and high class dining. One unexpected side effect of the gorgeous restaurants and bars is that the slopes are usually fairly quiet, giving you plenty of space to practice or carve the beginner and intermediate runs.

The choice really is yours. And with Luxwing you can arrive in style and efficiency, skipping the hassle and queues of commercial flights, getting you into your swimming costume or ski boots faster than you can say “happy holidays!”