Okay, you can fight me on this, but winter is the worst. Seriously. In what other season does going outside mean risking having your face burned by subfreezing winds? The answer is no other season. So, if you are like me and will do anything you possibly can to get away from the icy cold grips of winter, these getaways are perfect for you.

1. Tropea, Italy

Nestled in the toe of the Italian boot, Tropea provides the perfect mix of turquoise water and historical architecture. You can lounge amongst the multicolored umbrellas, on porcelain white sand and sip some of the finest wines in the world. No wonder this place was once thought to be one of Hercules' most prized trophies.

2. Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Lee, Thailand

Made famous by the 2000 movie "The Beach" starring Leo DiCaprio, this bay is nothing short of screensaver perfection. Contained by looming, mossy cliffs and only accessible by ferry, this tropical paradise would be the ideal place to forget that snow even exists.

3. Matira Beach, Bora Bora, Tahiti

Located near the southern tip of the island Bora Bora, this famous beach is perfect for snorkeling, sun bathing, and pretending you have never been cold in your entire life.

4. Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

This beach is not only well know for its oblong boulder-studded sands, but also for its being home to around 3,000 African penguins. You can swim and splash around in the temperate Indian Ocean just a few hundred feet from their protected habitat. They don't have to fight to survive hard winters, so why should you?

5. Hidden Beach, Marieta Island, Mexico

If you are willing to do a little work for your relaxation, this remote beach off the coast of Mexico is a dream destination. Only accessible by boat and a small passageway between the rocks, you are rewarded with a unique and (peacefully) sequestered beach day; free from disruption and dropping temperatures.

6. Pink Sand Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas

This beach is the stuff of Barbie's wildest dreams! Red microorganisms off the coast mix with the powder soft sand to form the bubblegum colored shores that make this beach unique. This beach also boasts incredibly clear water and endless sunny days that make the Bahamas so wonderful.

7. Mudhdoo Island, Maldives

This stretch of beach located on the island of Mudhdoo provides a once in a lifetime experience of seeing stars right there in the sand. The "stars" are actually bioluminescent micro-crustaceans that emit light when they are agitated, such as when a wave crashes on the shore. These teeny tiny little glowing crabs can replace a crackling fireplace any time of the year.

8. Hot Water Beach, Mercury Beach, New Zealand

Although this beach is beautiful in its own right, it's what is deep down that makes it truly amazing. Within a few hours of low tide, you can dig your very own thermal bath! Springs underneath the beach allow hot (147 degrees Fahrenheit hot) water to bubble up and collect in individual, hand made pools. In case swimming in the lukewarm water feet away under a clear sky wasn't enough to stave off the winter blues, your own natural jacuzzi should do the trick.

Ready to go when you are, friends.