Vacation in paradise: these seven dream destinations make you happy

What does the German, plagued by corona and winter, dream of? From sun, sandy beach, palm trees, warm sea water and a relaxed atmosphere away from home. There are enough of them in the world, they are only a dozen hours away by plane. Come with us on our dream trip from the Caribbean to Mauritius to Southeast Asia.

1. Cuba: Curiosities between the Atlantic and the Caribbean

It is the largest island in Latin America and probably also the one with the greatest contrasts: In Cuba, freshly restored streets of the Unesco world heritage site “La Habana Vieja” stand next to dilapidated colonial houses. Vintage cars from the 1950s flutter through the streets next to modern rental cars. White sandy beaches alternate with lush green tobacco plantations and mountains up to 2000 meters high.

Rum, cigars, salsa, cha-cha-cha and bubbling joie de vivre cover up the shortage economy. But there are plenty of them: islands and islets, most of them uninhabited. African influences result in an exotic mix with the national language Spanish. The island, which borders the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean in the north and northwest and the Caribbean Sea in the south, attracts divers, bathers, culture lovers and adventurers.

The best travel time is from November to April with maximum temperatures of 25 degrees during the day and 20 degrees at night with little rain and pleasant humidity. Since Cuba is located in the hurricane catchment area, tropical cyclones and heavy floods can occur in the rainy season from June, but especially in September and October.

2. Mexico: Magic with Mayans, sea turtles and paradise beaches

The geographic conditions alone speak volumes about the diversity of Mexico: The Central American country borders on three oceans – ancient antiquity, the Caribbean and the Pacific – in the north on the USA, in the south on Belize and Guatemala. 5000 meter high volcanoes alternate with deserts, tropical rainforests and 10,000 kilometers of coastline with white powdered sugar beaches and romantic bays.

Just going on a beach holiday, for example on the famous Yucatan peninsula in the east, would be a shame. The high cultures of the Mayas and Aztecs shaped the country from 400 AD until the Spanish conquerors landed in the 16th century. The pyramids of Chichén Itzá, for example, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the city of Teotihuacán near Mexico City was one of the largest in the world with around 200,000 inhabitants in its time – which can still be seen today in the spectacular ruins and temples.

Another highlight: Mexico’s capital is located on a plateau of 2240 meters. The best time to travel to Mexico is from October to May. June to September is the rainy season, when tropical cyclones pass the Caribbean coast, especially in September and October.

3. Dominican Republic: Dominance of sun, beach and sea

This name sounds like music to the ears of Caribbean fans: Costa del Coco – coconut coast. More than 50 kilometers of palm-fringed sandy beaches meander around the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. The popular seaside resorts of Punta Cana and Playa Bávaro are located here.

This is considered to be one of the most beautiful on the island: white sand, fine as flour, palm forests as far as the eye can see, crystal clear water with bathtub temperature and a 30 kilometer long coral reef in the turquoise sea. Perfect beach holiday conditions – almost nine months a year, as the region is significantly drier than the rest of the island. Even in the rainy season from May to October there is comparatively little rainfall.

Those who want more water activities after swimming, snorkeling, diving, catamaraning and visiting water parks can go to the north coast to Puerto Plata. More precisely to Cabarete. The bay, protected by a reef, attracts windsurfers and kite surfers in the summer months with an almost 90 percent reliable glide wind.

Big advantage: You can enjoy night life and sleep in all year round, as the wind only builds up slowly in the course of the morning. Nature lovers will also find adventurous places on the island, because 30 percent of the land area is under nature protection. For example: National park trekking, mountain tour on the 3,098 meter high Pico Duarte or watching humpback whales in the Bay of Samana (from mid-January to the end of March).

4. Maldives: mini-islands with a mega-effect

Welcome to the paradise of the barefoot islands: shoes are not only superfluous for a holiday in the Maldives, they are completely pointless. Not even slippers are necessary. Because the more than 150 hotel islands in the Indian Ocean consist of powdered sugar-soft sand that has been ground and washed out of reefs and corals from the sea over an unbelievable number of years. It shines white to pale pink and is cleaned and justified every day. There are no better conditions for walking barefoot.

The coral sand is not only found on beaches and on paths, but also serves as the floor in lobbies, bars and restaurants of most luxury hotels. Walking with bare feet from morning to night and digging your toes in the warm sand with every step conveys feelings of freedom, lightness and an experience of nature.

This is exactly what the typical accommodations are geared towards: Over-water bungalows – bungalows on stilts directly above the turquoise sea. What goes on under the surface of the water is not only reserved for divers in the Maldives. Even while snorkeling, encounters with the greats of the seas are possible – such as manta rays or whale sharks.

If you don’t get wet, but still want to see corals and colorful schools of fish, you can do so while dining in several underwater restaurants. The best time to travel is between December and March. From April to October is the low season, with maximum rain in June and July, but significantly lower prices.

5. Mauritius: pirate hideout off the east coast of Africa

What is the difference between Mauritius and the Maldives? Both island paradises are in the Indian Ocean. Both attract with white sandy beaches, palm trees, turquoise sea and year-round warm Temperatures. But in contrast to the Maldives further north, Mauritius has lakes, rivers, a length of 64 kilometers and a width of 47 kilometers, as well as three mountain ranges.

The rugged mountains tower up to 828 meters into the sky. What makes the island off the east coast of Africa, more precisely off the east coast of Madagascar, also interesting for hikers and mountain bikers. And only for experienced kite and windsurfers: the peninsula in the southwest of Mauritius is one of the most wind-safe spots in the world. From June to October the southeast trade winds bring ideal wind conditions with a good five Beaufort. And one more point makes a big difference: Insights into the everyday life of the islanders.

Conclusion: Honeymooners, romantics, beach fans and active vacationers will find fantastic conditions here. The months of September to November and April to June are considered the perfect travel time, as it is not yet that hot, but relatively dry and it is not a holiday season. From January to March it is hot and humid and rains eight to ten days a month.

6. Seychelles: Holidays not just for the rich and beautiful

And another picture-perfect destination in the Indian Ocean – on the route between the Maldives and Mauritius: 115 islands off the coast of East Africa, roughly level with the Kenyan city of Mombasa, make up the Seychelles archipelago.

Their unique selling points are the granite blocks cut round by the sea on the small, white sandy beach bays and the endemic Coco de Mer palm trees. Their nuts are world-famous because they can weigh up to 25 kilograms and are shaped like a female buttocks. For a long time, the Seychelles were considered a vacation destination only for the rich. Those days are long gone. A holiday on the islands with the jungle-covered hills and the sea, which shines in the colors turquoise, bottle green and baby blue, can also be designed inexpensively.

The accommodation does not have to be located directly on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, such as the Anse Source d’Argent on the small romantic island of La Digue, known from the Bacardi advertising. A cheap guesthouse does it too. Because according to the law, all beaches must be open to the public – for everyone. There are no fences, barriers, deck chair batteries or entrance fees.

Another plus point: the flights from Germany take around eleven hours, but the dreaded jet lag does not occur. The time difference is only plus two hours in summer and plus three hours in winter. The best travel time is from May to October, when it is dry and not very humid – with temperatures around 27 degrees.

7. Thailand: temples, jungle trekking and great islands

Whichever direction you look in Thailand, top sights await you everywhere: The capital Bangkok with the golden royal palace Wat Phra Keo, the floating markets or the Temple of Dawn on the Chao Phraya River. The ancient royal cities of Ayuttaya and Sukothai in central Thailand. Jungle trekking and elephants in the north in the mountains of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The bridge on the River Kwai in western Thailand. And the island and beach paradises in the south – from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand to Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta in the Andaman Sea on the west coast.

This variety of possibilities, comparatively low prices and warm people make the Kingdom of Thailand a popular, exotic holiday destination. The best time to travel is the dry season from November to February. There is a tropical, humid and warm climate all year round – with water temperatures around 28 degrees.