As the seasons start to shift, I thought it’d be fun to share ideas (and maybe some inspiration!) for winter sun destinations… whether you’re looking to soak up some warmth or you’re already living somewhere sunny while the other half of the world shivers!
If you’re a pet owner, where have you travelled (or would love to travel) that’s pet-friendly and sunny at this time of year?
And if you’re a pet sitter, where are your favourite sunny sits or dream locations during your local winter months?
We chase the sun. April to October in the United Kingdom with little breaks to nearby sun spots occasionally.
October to March, well where would we not go. We are really up for anywhere. The list so far
Panama. Bahamas. Barbados and most of the Caribbean. New Zealand. Australia. Costa Rica. India. Turkey. Puerto Rico. Cuba. Florida. Singapore. Fiji (which was a complete let down). Three month road trip in Spain. Most of the winter hot spots in Europe.
We are in Western Sahara at the moment. Enjoying a relaxing time without pets. In January it’s something completely different. An 11 week cruise round South America taking in The Falkland Islands and Antarctic as well. Obviously no pets!
This will be our first Christmas spent in the UK for 10 years, sitting for a lovely couple in Hampshire. I’ll keep you posted on how I get on in the cold.
Where would I recommend? Wherever you want to be! This is the fantastic thing about THS, the world is your oyster. You can pet sit wherever there is a need for it. It just takes a bit of organisation, reading up on the destination and sheer guts to jump. We are lucky enough to be able to spend most of our year looking after wonderful dogs all over the world but if there is a place we want to go/see we have the resources to do it. Sitters can take little steps, getting further each time from their comfort zone or just one huge leap. Do it. You’re a long time dead.
I’m heading to Morocco and Portugal in January. It will be substantially warmer than where I’m from. This trip will be an actual holiday for me, I’m taking off from work and also won’t be housesitting.
Marrakech. I booked a Riad and am planning to do daytrips from there. It’s my first time in Morocco and I can’t wait! Would love any tips or suggestions!
The blue city of Chefchaouen, followed by Essaouira. Also, if you have time, Ceuta and Melilla (not too far from Chefchaouen) a bit of Spain (enclave) in Morocco
We are in Dakhla just now. Lots of construction going on so it looks like it will be a huge holiday hotspot in 5 to 10 years. Been out in the Sahara desert which was amazing for me. I love huge open spaces so I was in my element. If you like wind or kite surfing this is a good place. There is a very sheltered lagoon to learn and then huge Atlantic rollers to play with. Only down side, stay (mostly) covered up. And there is a huge military and police presence here. Think on every street corner and road junction. Everyone is very polite and happy. Food is cheap. We are eating out everynight for about £10 for two dinners. No alcohol served. You’ll love it. Enjoy.
We have already escaped the looming prospect of European winter and are currently in Mumbai for a couple of weeks, a favourite stopover for us India lovers! Idyllic climate right now. Lovely warm days, (30°+) cooler nights and very low humidity at mo. Heading next to KL for a week- another favourite stopover. Not housesitting in either place & enjoying some non-sit time. End of Nov flying to Perth for a beachside sit for two months! Very much looking forward to the beautiful WA beaches and the laid back Aussie vibe. No fixed plans beyond end of Jan, as yet, but will stay on that side of the world at least untill spring has officially sprung in Europe!!
2 years ago we decided to brave a winter season of housesitting in UK (our first chilly winter in 20 years!)and whilst we had some lovely sits it was certainly a reminder for us of exactly why we avoid European winters!! Never again!
@ElsieDownie I wonder if you guys, fellow sun chasers, will get the same reminder! Hope your sit in Hampshire is a cosy one!
We’re off to sunny climes too. Currently in Kalkan which is a balmy 22 ish and we are still sea swimming Then next week we head to Vietnam, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Ishigaki and Bangkok till end January. Lovely THS sit in HK for Christmas with new hosts from South Africa & a gecko called Gucci. Am a bah humbug on the festive season so the thought of warmth, smells of street food, noise of Asian markets and all that good stuff totally appeals. Happy travels everyone #thesittinggoodlife
Crete has been a favourite of ours. We completed three housesits on Crete over October/November 2024. Already returned, we will complete a month housesit November/December 2025. Lovely spot. Great people. 24C this week
Winter 2023/4 we spent 4-5 months in Western US. Including an extended housesit in beautiful Santa Barbara and several in vicinity of San Francisco. Many special memories. Some wonderful pet parents and pets. And a few spectacular properties, multiple with hottubs that faced attractive landscapes - life is good
Thought challenge question a whisker … winters need not be warm to be sunny. We have completed quite a few housesits in Western Canada over winter months. Some for multiple months (PP “snowbirds”). Often blue sky days (depending on location) but bracingly cold (-20C and lower). Truly wonderful for skiing, subject to pet responsibilities and appropriate attire. Photo at Silverstar ski resort in BC, Canada
I’ve spent a few January’s near Albufeira on a regular sit and it’s definitely warmer than the UK with an average daytime temperature of 16-17c with the odd day hitting the low 20’s!
The canary islands are generally pleasant during the winter months. I lived on Lanzarote for a few years and low 20’s during the day during winter is the norm.
I did a sit in February half way up a Mountain in south Tenerife and the weather was changeable with daytime temps ranging from 15-22c. It was much warmer in the seas level resorts with temperatures in Playa De Las Americas hitting mid 20s regularly.
At the end of November, we will be driving out to the western US and have some sits booked in Arizona, Las Vegas and Southern California so far…nowhere tropical but will definitely be warmer and much sunnier than if we stayed in the Northeast!
We live on our little sail boat in Mexico, so winters are prime cruising season for us. We housesit in other places in the world during the summers when it’s too hot here!
Then next week we head to Vietnam, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Ishigaki and Bangkok till end January. Lovely THS sit in HK for Christmas with new hosts from South Africa 
& a gecko called Gucci. Am a bah humbug on the festive season so the thought of warmth, smells of street food, noise of Asian markets and all that good stuff totally appeals. Happy travels everyone 
… winters need not be warm to be sunny. We have completed quite a few housesits in Western Canada over winter months. Some for multiple months (PP “snowbirds”). Often blue sky days (depending on location) but bracingly cold (-20C and lower). Truly wonderful for skiing, subject to pet responsibilities and appropriate attire. Photo at Silverstar ski resort in BC, Canada 
