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By Editorial Staff

updated 1:25 p.m. ET Jan. 9, 2006

Brr. When Old Man Winter comes to town, it's easy to get down. But a visit to any of our favorite places to beat the winter blues will have you forgetting about the slush, snow boots, and dreary days of the long dark season in no time. This year, why not pack your bags and head to the slopes of Banff, the aquatic playgrounds of Belize and the Red Sea, the sands of Búzios, the quirky town of Key West, or even your own private villa on St. Barths? If it takes more than surf or snow to stimulate your senses, head out on a sophisticated city trip to Los Angeles or Melbourne, where sunny climes and attractive lifestyles beckon or, go even farther afield, on a trip of a lifetime to Rajasthan or Antarctica. Indeed, the icy waters at the bottom of the globe become passable only when the temperatures drop in the Northern Hemisphere, allowing adventuresome travelers a rare annual opportunity to spot the season's coolest sights – penguins, icebergs, and glaciers.

Antarctica
An Antarctic winter is far from a tropical paradise – imagine a continent surrounded by densely packed ice, near-perpetual darkness, unpredictable blizzards, and temperatures that dip as low as -90º F. With the seasons flipped, winter here in the Northern Hemisphere means that it’s as close to summer as it will ever be at the White Continent, and more than 20,000 tourists now head to the south pole each year to witness its monumental glaciers and icebergs, comical penguins and seabirds, and majestic whales and marine creatures.

Banff
With its backdrop of waterfalls, caves, cliffs, canyons, and glaciers, it's no wonder Banff attracts visitors from around the globe. The famed mountain resort is centered on a spectacular stretch of land preserve, Banff National Park, which is not only Canada’s oldest national park, but one of the nation’s most persevering tourist draws. Its snow-powdered Canadian Rocky Mountain peaks are its crowning glory, providing some of the world's best skiing and snowboarding conditions – any die-hard skier or nature-lover will tell you that the Rockies’ pristine surroundings will take you to new heights.

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Belize
This Central American up-and-comer – about the size of Massachusetts – is packed with potential. The tiny English-speaking country fronts the Caribbean Sea and offers sunny, warm weather all winter long and loads of adventurous and exciting travel opportunities. Case in point: The longest continuous barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere borders the coast of Belize making the waters here outstanding for snorkeling and diving. Inland, the Maya Mountains are swathed in thick rainforests laced with thousands of cascading streams and rivers – ideal for jungle treks and nature-lovin’ tours.

Búzios
For a ritzy St. Tropez-like escape in the dead of winter, you can’t beat Búzios – located at the tip of a long beach-fringed peninsula just 60 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. Much beloved since the days Brigitte Bardot strolled the shores of the area's Ossos Beach, this former fishing village retains much of its old-world charm but now boasts a slew of glitzy boutiques, restaurants, and beachfront mansions to complement its fantastic string of 20+ beaches, rugged coastline, and darling town.

Key West
For the perfect winter escape, set out to Key West and bask in its tropical-Victorian-fantasyland feel, Jimmy Buffett/Margaritaville vibe, and hedonistic laissez-faire attitude. Indeed, this southernmost bit of the United States has plenty to tempt visitors, whether you're interested in snorkeling – North America's only corral barrier reef is found here, and you can swim with dolphins or discover shipwrecks – or into history, culture, and art – of which this quirky beach town has plenty. However you spend your day, rest assured that local priorities are where they should be – fun comes first.

Los Angeles
Where else can you drive with the top down all year round, rub elbows with celebrities at the supermarket, delight in glamorous escapades by night, and go for a morning surf in the Pacific? Only Los Angeles offers all of these sun-kissed splendors come winter. The incomparable weather mixed with the allure of Hollywood has been attracting visitors for decades, yet this second-largest of US cities maintains its cool with a collection of inventive hotels, cutting-edge restaurants, and posh nightclubs. From celebrity spotting at sidewalk cafés to window-shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, you’ll quickly become part of the scene and get a taste of Angelenos’ laidback lifestyle.

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