With winter about to rear it’s ugly head, my mind has been on much warmer destinations. Don’t get me wrong; I love watching snow fall from the comfort of my humble East Village apartment but once the romantic snow melts, I’m not such a huge fan of wet streets and cold wind whipping past my face. That being said, here are five tropical destinations that have sparked my interest. Whether hoping for a last minute vacation or planning a winter getaway, these bohemian beaches will do just the trick.

1) The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands certainly fit the bill as a tropical paradise, which is why they are #1 on my list. The series of islands forms a Spanish archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa, close to the border between the Western Sahara and Morocco. Having never traveled to Morocco myself, the geographical location of the Canary Islands is definitely one of its selling points in my opinion. Tenerife is probably the most popular island for tourists but there are several other areas worth exploring.  Travelers booking flights to Gran Canaria will find that tickets are rather affordable, especially if departing from within Europe.

2) Punta Cana

I checked off Punta Cana from my bucket list last month but I’m already eager to return. Unlike the beaches in Mexico, each resort owns the beach beloning to their land, which makes for a quiet retreat without venders trying to sell souvenirs. The soft sand and warm blue water is a deadly combination for anyone looking for some serious rest & relaxation. I also like that there is cultural availability less than an hour away. Instead of spending all day lounging by the pool sipping tropical cocktails, travelers can venture into Higüey to visit the local food market or stop by a nearby coffee and cocoa plantation.

3) Hawaii

I’m not sure if this is happening to anyone else but just about every other person I know is either in Hawaii visiting, planning a trip there or simply reminiscing about their past Hawaiian adventure. It might be that I just started noticing all this, but I’ve officially added Hawaii to my travel bucket list. One thing I appreciate is that it’s a bit more budget friendly than if you flew from the US to Europe or South America yet based on what I’ve heard, it feels like you are in another country. I’d love to put my non-existant surfing skills to the test, learn how to dance local style and get a few nature walks into my schedule.

4) The Greek Islands

It’s no real surprise that Greece makes it on my tropical travel list. I’ve wanted to visit Greece as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was weirdly fascinated by Greek Mythology so much that I chose Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, as my fifth grade research project and I’ve been obsessed ever since. My ideal trip would include a few days in Athens followed by a cruise of some sort to a few of the islands. I’m particularly curious to see Corfu, Crete and Santorini, mainly for both the geographical and historical significance of each. I have a feeling that whenever I do make it to Greece, I will have a tough time boarding my plane back home.

5) Cartagena