Cold weather can be invigorating to many people, but for others, it causes discomfort or, worse, depression. However, even if your reaction to the dropping temperatures isn’t as drastic as either of those, we still know you’re sorry the warm weather is almost gone until 2018.

Don’t despair, though. Even more, don’t just sit by and do nothing. Instead, get online, do a little research and find a warm-weather place you’d love to visit. Then go. It’s as simple as that. Here are some of our favorites for autumn 2017 for you to consider:

The Cayman Islands

Few tropical destinations boast both an air of exclusivity while still being wholly accessible to different kinds of travelers. That means that whether you like chill days on the beach followed by a memorable dinner with a world-class bottle of wine, or prefer adventure and a casual meal while still in your shorts and sandals, you can find it here. It is also equally suitable for a romantic couples’ getaway or a fun family-friendly excursion. From beaching and sailing to hiking and sightseeing, this island group will leave you wanting to return again and again.

Guatemala

Want tropical warmth, fun and friendliness in a green destination that won’t cost an arm and a leg? Then Guatemala is a great place for you to drop your bags. Featuring some of the most beautiful landscapes and beaches in Central America, this tiny nation has also become a hub for eco-touring. Whether you hang in Guatemala City or head out into the smaller towns of Peten, El Paredon or Tzununa for touring or Panajachel for birding, you’ll be in a verdant paradise.

Australia

This huge country with just 25 million citizens is having a moment. Sure, it’s been around for a long time, but perhaps never has it seemed to be firing on all cylinders as it is now. Don’t forget, also, that fall and winter in the Northern Hemisphere are spring and summer in the Southern Hemisphere, making a trip here even more perfect as it cools down in the U.S. Whether you go for the sexiness and culture of Sydney, the stately class of Melbourne or the world-class wines of the Barossa Valley, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale, you will find a new world here. Oh, and don’t forget those magical kangaroos.

Regardless of where you end up soaking up your rays, isn’t it great to know so many great destinations exist and are just a click or two away?

In much of the United States and North America, Labor Day weekend, if not a national holiday, signals the beginning of the end of summer, but really, the start of autumn. That means the days are shorter, the warm weather is becoming rarer and the cool nights are becoming more common.

So you can sit tight and just deal with this changing weather, or you can do something about it by booking a trip to a warm-weather haven and truly enjoying your Labor Day break. If that sounds more like your style, read on to get a rundown of some great destinations that’ll warm your bones any time of the year.

Cayman Islands

This tropical paradise has it all. For instance, if you enjoy long, sleepy days on the beach followed by a glass of wine at sunset and a romantic Oceanside dinner, then the Caymans are the place for you. At the same time, if you seek an active vacation, then the Cayman Islands are made for you, too, with endless watersports available, from snorkeling and kayaking to sailing and fishing. Have a taste for exotic? Swim with the turtles at Cayman Turtle Farm by day, then go deep on an Atlantis Submarines Cayman evening underwater excursion you’ll never forget. Round it all out with a hike the next day in which you end up at one of the islands’ many historic sites, such as the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Garden or Cayman Crystal Caves.

Hawaii

Never overlook this stunningly beautiful, verdant, exotic group of islands just because they are part of the United States. Whether you opt for the hustle and bustle of Honolulu, the surfing on Maui, the tranquility of the coffee plantations in Kona on the Big Island or spelunking from volcanic site to volcanic site, there is something for everyone here. Oh, and did we mention the weather is nearly perfect almost all year long?

The Florida Keys

This is yet another exotic getaway in the U.S. that Americans often overlook, much to their own detriment. This tropical string of islands stretches for about 100 miles, beginning about 60 miles south of Miami. For a mind-blowing yet tranquil weekend, fly into Miami and make the four-hour drive down the two-lane road that connects it to crazy, colorful Key West. On day two, drive halfway back up to Marathon, do some world-class fishing and then return to Miami. You’ll feel like you were in the tropics without needing a passport.

Regardless which of these you choose, or even if you find your own magical destination, don’t let the opportunity pass you by. Log on, read a bit and click a few times and create a weekend trip you’ll always remember.

 

The Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the Western Caribbean, offers world-class diving at its breathtaking coral reefs, fishing in its azure-blue waters and tanning on its powder-white beaches. In any other location in the world, those would be enough to make it a can’t-miss destination. However, there is so much more here, including destinations you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

Here are five of our favorites:

Seven Miles of Paradise

There are a lot of great beaches in the world. However, many are interrupted by natural impediments, commercialism or private property. Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman poses no such threats. In fact, this pristine stretch of coral-sand beach, azure ocean waters and few, if any, private vendors is as uninterrupted as a beach can be. Stretching along the island’s west side, this unspoiled expanse makes visiting the Caymans worth it all by itself.

No Sting Anywhere

When’s the last time you went swimming with stingrays? No, we’re not crazy, just crazy in love with Stingray City, one of the few places in the world where you can be up close and personal with these remarkable creatures. Imagine wading in three feet of water with more than two dozen tame stingrays above a picturesque sandbar in tranquil tropical waters. It’s an activity you and your entire family will never forget.

Go to Hell

We don’t mean that figuratively, but literally. In this case, Hell is a town in West Bay, Grand Cayman, comprised of about a half of a football field-sized area of short, black limestone formations that someone once remarked must be similar to what hell looks like. Although you cannot walk on these formations, there are platforms where you can get a bird’s eye view. In addition, visiting the blood-red-painted post office and sending a postcard to your friends or family with the postdate from “Hell” is worth the trip itself.

The Shell Game

Cayman Turtle Farm is another destination that allows you to swim with amazing sea creatures. This conservation and breeding center provides a safe habitat for green sea turtles and endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, and raises turtles for local consumption to help minimize poaching.

More Than a Zoo

Grand Cayman Q.E. II Botanic Park is home to breathtaking flora and fauna, as well as the endangered blue iguana. You’ll never see this combination of palm gardens, orchids, flowers, lily-topped ponds or palm gardens anywhere, nor the lizards, snakes, turtles, agoutis and birds who make this habitat home.

There are many reasons to visit the Cayman Islands, and we’ve only mentioned a handful. Really, though, how many more do you need?

Sunset is celebrated with reverence all over the world. From Oia, on the Greek island of Santorini, to Grenada, where they hold a weeklong Sunset Ritual Festival; from the beaches of Hawaii to Key West, Florida, where people applaud the sunset every evening just as the sun disappears below the horizon. Sunsets are moments of Zen everyone loves.

In the Cayman Islands, with so many options available you can choose your own sunset adventure—or moment of Zen—depending on what you are feeling and to suit your personality. Here are three of our favorites.

• Get Out on the Water

There may be no greater way to watch that fiery yellow-orange orb drop slowly into the ocean than to get a bird’s eye view on a seagoing vessel. There are numerous to choose from, so choose the one to suit your mood. Whether you opt for a casual trip aboard a smooth, steady catamaran or a more formal and romantic sunset dinner cruise on a beautiful yacht, you’ll never forget the moments you spend on the tranquil, crystal-clear waters.

• Beach Yourself

Sometimes the simplest moments are the best. Here in the Caymans, that can manifest as sitting on the beach and watching the sunset. Your best bet is to pack a refreshment or two, walk out along Seven Mile Beach and plot your place, then watch the magic happen. Another option is to head to George Town with your snorkeling gear, do some late afternoon underwater investigating, then drop anchor on the beach and see the show.

• Burn Calories While the Setting Sun Sizzles

For the adventurers out there who don’t want to sit still nor share their sunsets with too many people, consider a sunset kayak trip. This less conventional but equally breathtaking option offers a kind of appreciation of the magnificent sunsets that can only be experienced in a quiet spot surrounded by the Caymans’ unparalleled natural beauty. There are numerous companies who offer these trips. Whether you head on to the open ocean or choose instead to meander through the mangroves, your guided tour will point out the endless and unique flora and fauna that dot the Caymans’ lands and seas while you take in the last golden rays of the day.

However you choose to enjoy these magical moments, you’ll find them among your most memorable times in this tropical paradise.

Kid-Friendly Tropical Islands

Vacation destinations that adults love and those that are interesting to children are often two very different things, and that’s understandable. Those that are fun for both are usually larger places, destinations that offer a lot to everyone. However, how many tropical islands can you name that are kid-friendly?

Luckily, we can name quite a few. Accordingly, we have put together a list of our favorites as we go into summer 2017. Read on to find out more.

Grand Cayman Island
This island has it all for children of all ages. When you bring your family here, you know they will have access to great beach activities, such as safe snorkeling in the shallow, placid, azure-blue waters, a chance to swim with peaceful stingrays, sailing, kayaking or even just having fun playing games or building sand castles on the beach. If you’re looking for a more involved excursion, take them submarining, hiking or to visit one of the many family-friendly historic sites on this lush, tropical island.

Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, Bahamas
This Bahamas destination is another top-of-the-line kid-friendly resort, with a vast array of activities and entertainment geared specifically to the little ones and their families. Check out the extensive water sports, variety of amazing pools, arts and crafts classes, movie theaters, dolphin habitat, game rooms and video games, for starters. There is even in-room babysitting services available.

St. Barts
For those craving a little more exclusivity, St. Barthelemy, or St. Barts as it is known, is a winner. This French-speaking island in the Caribbean is a big hit with celebrities and the fashion set, as it boasts exclusive resorts, designer boutiques and outstanding dining. However, it also is safe, peaceful and offers pristine waters that will keep your kids busy for hours and days. Rent or charter a sailboat, Waverunner or snorkeling gear and you’ll be occupied for hours. When the sun is setting, you’ll have an array of some of the finest dining options available anywhere at your disposal. On rare days when you want to step away from the beach, you’ll find an intriguing selection of historic sites that your kids will love too.

So as you ruminate on the best destination for your young family this summer, know that any one of these lush, tropical islands hold a wonderland of activities for your children. All you have to do is point, click and go.