Sometimes, you just need an easy escape—one that doesn’t involve a layover, long drive, or complicated logistics. And on these unrelenting winter days, when the cruel iPhoto algorithm flashes memories of how unrecognizably happy and sun-kissed you were in August, it’s time to get strategic—maximizing time off, minimizing hours on a plane, and chasing the highest UV index. Or, for the sun-averse, at least temps consistently in the 60s.
So to help, we narrowed our focus to quick, no-fuss getaways from the US, Canada, UK, and Europe, prioritizing destinations with non-stop flights from major cities, and hotels within an hour or so of the airport. While there are city hotels in the mix, this list is more about true escapes—places where you can immediately shed a layer (literally and figuratively) upon arrival—and sometimes, that is at the Four Seasons in Miami. While not every spot has a beach, most promise more sun and warmth than wherever you’re coming from. From the UK, that could mean a long weekend not just in Morocco, but also Nice or Dakar. From the US and Canada, we organized our hit list along the lines of East Coast vs West Coast—obviously, Hawai’i is only doable as a shorter trip from the West and the Bahamas from the East, but Palm Springs could be a long weekend for everyone!
As is our way, we polled our well-traveled friends for their go-to easy long weekends in the sun, and mapped out more stays we love based on direct flight routes. To make planning even easier, we’ve listed those flight paths at the end of each section. So pack a carry-on and get out of town!
Subscribe to YOLO Intel to read the full story.
Digital subscribers can access our entire archive of content, including Black Books, Travel Planners, Guest Books and destination lists.
to access premium content and manage your account.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.