Whilst the chill of winter is welcome to some, others follow the warmth of the sun in the colder months to the shores of countries in the Southern Hemisphere. There’s something uncanny about escaping the bleakness of winter for a city seemingly in another dimension, sunkissed, colourful and blissfully warm. When the days in your home city grow short, be it London or New York, these three destinations—Mexico, Sri Lanka, and Cape Town—offer "winter-sun" like you've never seen it before. Find Conte's advice for these irresistible destinations, complete with contemporary contributions to the international culinary scene, art galleries, museums galore & a handful of delightful musings about the best temperatures and beaches in the winter months.
Best Winter Sun Destinations - Mexico: The Best for Food & History
London to Mexico flight time is around 12 hours; U.S. East Coast to Mexico flight time is usually under 5 hours.
Mexico is often predominantly seen as a beach destination, however, the depth of the culture, art and food found here is countrywide. To find relaxation you might flock, like many others, to the sublime beaches of Punta Mita or Los Cabos, and you might engage in the cultural dimension offered through the writings of Laura Esquivel or Juan Rulfo whilst you're there. A visit to Oaxaca might induce a sense of the vast civilisations laid to rest here, but will exclude the modern artistic workings of Leonora Carrington amongst the more recognised pieces of Frida Kahlo on show in Mexico City.
Beyond the art, Mexico City’s food scene is a revelation and a delight: the perfect harmony of ancient techniques and modern innovation. At double Michelin-starred Pujol, Enrique Olvera redefined Mexican cuisine, turning simple corn (a native ingredient in Mexican cooking, believed to have originated over 7000 years ago from a wild grass called teosinte) into a work of art. Yet, the allure of Mexico’s dining culture extends beyond Michelin stars—be sure to experience a taco al pastor from a street vendor, a wonderfully delicious, marinated and spit-grilled pork delicacy.
Perhaps wander through Oaxaca’s vibrant markets, where you might find variations on mole (the Mexican term for sauce) crafted from dozens of ingredients like fruit, nuts, spices and fresh chillies —a condiment that becomes a gateway to understanding the region’s culinary depth. The same depth can be found in exploring the illicit affair between artist Frida Kahlo and Leon Trotsky, the exiled Russian communist whose house in Mexico City has been transformed into a modern-day museum. After divulging in the culture of the capital, a quick flight (approximately 1h20m) will take you to the west coast beaches of Riviera Nayarit, where one of hotelier Auberge's Mexican hotels sits, Susurros Del Corazon. The epitome of wellness, relaxation and the utmost privacy offered by its private stretch of coastline is what makes an Auberge property like this so special. Conte also values their properties in Riviera Maya (Etereo) and Los Cabos (Esperanza & Chileno Bay), for effortless design that connects with the features, communities and traditions of their surrounding areas.
Bewitchingly complex and full of immeasurable history and intrigue, Mexico is a country which deserves to be explored from all angles: beachfront, city break & multi-stop peregrination. An art form in itself, a place where every meal, painting, and cultural tidbit tells a story of millennia past in every step you take.
Best Winter Sun Destinations - Sri Lanka: The Best for Scenic Views & Relaxation
At an average flight duration of 10 - 11 hours from London and 20 hours with a connecting stop from the U.S. East Coast, Sri Lanka is worth the longer journey.
Sri Lanka, with its 830 miles of coastline, home to plentiful golden beaches and coves, is also well known for its lush tea plantations and its offer of a serene escape from winter’s chill. Sitting in the Indian Ocean and with temperature highs of above 30°C October through March, most will find themselves drawn to the highly coveted beachside hotels, but it is well known that Sri Lanka's cities such as Kandy provide more cultural experience than meets the eye. However, if you do find yourself longing for a winter beach escape, be sure to focus on the south and west coasts, as they offer the best beaches and coastlines for swimming and water sports in the November - April season. Along these coasts, you can find luxury accommodations such as KK Beach and Why House further South near Galle, or Wallawwa, just minutes from Colombo airport - although you can trust us when we say this hotel feels more like the beautifully updated historic manor-house it is than convenient airport hotel.
With flights heading straight to the capital city of Colombo, a storied place with imperial routes, you'll start to see how complex the history of Sri Lanka is. Here, discover the legendary Ministry of Crab, where the focus on fresh, flavorful seafood - including the legendary mud crab (otherwise known as the lagoon crab) - redefines simplicity. Pair that with traditional hoppers - thin, pan-shaped pancakes bursting with spice, sold at street corners - and you’ll experience the heart of Sri Lankan food culture. Whilst pursuing the perfect bite, Conte could recommend keeping a copy of Running In The Family to hand - literature lovers will feel the presence of Michael Ondaatje’s words as they explore Colombo’s streets, where his novels come to life with every bite, step and cranny.
Sri Lanka’s cultural and environmental landscape is equally as compelling as its delicious dishes and ingredients. Visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, where history and spirituality meet, or traverse the instantly impressive landscapes of the tea plantations, reflecting on the legacy of colonialism that shaped the island. Here, hotels such as Camellia Hills and Ceylon Tea Trails pay homage to their natural environment and history through design, ethos and presentation. Perhaps having spent a few days in various parts of the country, Sri Lanka offers a relief firstly from those winter temperatures, and secondly, from the business of life that we often call normality, with a sense of perspective we often forget.
The Best Winter Sun Destinations - Cape Town: The Best for Art & Food
From London, the average direct flight is around 12 hours, whilst it is slightly longer at 15 hours from the U.S. East Coast.
Cape Town is a city of contrasts, where the untouched and unabashed nature of Table Mountain meets the energetic sophistication of up-and-coming galleries, restaurants and a burgeoning cultural scene. Perfect as a winter-sun destination for its warmer temperatures, and even warmer welcome, Cape Town proves itself as the most cosmopolitan of destinations - and all just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Atlantic Ocean and the rest of South Africa.
In recent years, the introduction of new gallery spaces in South Africa's "Mother City", such as WhatIfTheWorld and THK Gallery, showcases the potential of the young creators and thinkers in the city. Already, we have seen the burst of South African artistic talent in the international art scene, from the likes of David Goldblatt to Lady Skollie. When in the city be sure to visit the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa for a testament to the creative spirit of the continent, showcasing works that challenge and inspire, or visit District Six or Robben Island for a deep dive into South Africa’s turbulent history.
From The Silo Hotel, perfectly located for more city-bound individuals on the Waterfront, to The Mount Nelson, a member of the Belmond group's illustrious hotels, one thing is certain - there will be no struggle to find luxurious accommodations in this city. For a touch outside of the mainstays, look to The Ellerman for relaxed and elegant luxury just a few streets down from Clifton and Camps Bay beaches. Conte's recommendation for your stay is to enjoy a mix of all - dine at the excellent options within your hotel and the contemporary restaurant ventures in the streets of Cape Town; explore early morning hikes up Lions Head, and embrace late nights spent on Bree Street.
The culinary landscape in Cape Town is also nothing short of extraordinary and deserves a food journey in its own right. The Pot Luck Club, from the mind of Luke Dale Roberts (formerly of the award-winning restaurant The Test Kitchen), opened its doors in 2011 and has remained one of the coolest outlets in the city - arguably the place to be and be seen. Other contemporary options with a penchant for excellent cuisine are La Colombe, or contrastingly, the likes of Beau Constantia - a boutique wine farm and restaurant 20 minutes out of Cape Town with incredible views. For more casual fare, Conte recommends visiting the Oranjezicht City Farm Market - a pleasure at night due to the warmer temperatures this city offers during the winter months, and certainly a highlight of one of Conte's best winter sun destinations.
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