By Rishaan Chowdhury
As the cold weather sets in and the school year starts up, it leaves many of us aspiring for our next holiday. The Times of Boston is here to fill some of that gap, with some warm destinations to thaw the oncoming winter.
Note: This is not a ranking
Cairo, Egypt
Egypt is a country that is on many travelers’ bucket lists. Boasting ruins that are thousands of years old and a history that is unlike any other. However, the main attraction of Egypt is their pyramids. Egypt’s pyramids are the crown jewel of their historic ruins and epitomize the miracles of human ingenuity. Contrary to popular belief, Egypt has only one set of pyramids, the Pyramids of Giza. These pyramids lie in the desert, on the outskirts of bustling Cairo. Entering the Pyramids of Giza begins with passing the majestic Sphinx, which watches over the Pyramids and all those who visit. Once in the vicinity of these marvels, one can enjoy camel-riding, horse riding, and of course, visiting inside them. Unfortunately, these days the Pyramids are extremely crowded, with people waiting outside of them for hours, just to see a skeleton of what their interiors used to be. For the traveler who doesn’t want to wait in line, the rest of Cairo is also iconic, with horse-drawn carriages roaming the streets and the spectacular Egyptian Museum full of historical gems. Mummies, sculptures, and other items from ancient Egypt all lie in the Egyptian Museum. Additionally, for our readers in Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston boasts one of the largest Egyptian collections outside of Egypt, and many exhibits in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo reference the Museum of Fine Arts. Cairo also has some extremely unique stores, selling papyrus and other handmade goods. Cairo is an incredible city and better yet, it’s a direct flight away from New York and most European cities, making it well connected to Boston.
Chicago, United States
While this edition our travel section features many, delightful warm places, Chicago fits the delightful category, but until we see the full impact of climate change, the windy city will remain true to its name. Chicago is located in the iconic midwestern state of Illinois and is situated along the massive Lake Michigan. Once a bustling commercial hub for all goods traveling east and west, Chicago is a massive city, full of banks, offices, and incredible food. The windy city has a long history, beginning as the hub for the railroads in the late 1800s in its iconic Union Station. Today, one can continue that legacy by taking the overnight Lakeshore Limited train from New York or Boston directly to this great city. Stay in the luxury Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk and enjoy spectacular views of Lake Michigan. Additionally, visit the marvelous Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, which boasts some incredible exhibits such as an entire passenger airliner which one can go inside of, a U-Boat which one can also go inside of, and a life-size replica of one of the most iconic trains in the twentieth century. The museum's spectacles are all fitted inside of their beautiful, gothic campus next to beautiful, Jackson Park. However, no trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to their wonderful food scene. Chicago is iconic in the culinary world and is home to the reputable James Beard award. Dine at the fantastic Purple Pig Restaurant in Chicago and taste some of the world’s finest foods. But not every culinary visit to this city requires high-end dining. Chicago’s famous Chicago dog is a fantastic exhibit of how delicious the food in the windy city is. Go to the popular Portillo’s in Chicago and enjoy their mouthwatering Chicago dogs after a long day of exploring. Chicago has one more culinary icon, and that’s their deep dish pizza. Deep dish pizza is something that some people love, and some people despise, few are rarely in the middle. Enjoy a doughy, cheesy slice of this Chicago icon at almost any pizzeria in the city and decide for yourself. Convinced to pay a visit to this incredible city, Chicago is well connected by plane (and train) to most major cities.
Sundarban Rainforest, India
Nestled between India and Bangladesh, lies the Sundarban Rainforest. The Sundarban Rainforest is the largest delta in the world with five major rivers meeting in this unique mangrove forest. The position of this delta creates a unique, stunning natural wonderland, home to spectacular mangrove trees and abundant wildlife. In the Sundarbans resides many endangered species, including the majestic Bengal Tiger. Historically this incredible place has been victim to large amounts of poaching and hunting, however in recent years the Indian government has taken steps to protect it. Nowadays one can cruise alongside local fishermen through the rivers of delta before stopping at ranger towers to catch a glimpse of the elusive tiger or the lumbering crocodile. Tourists can enjoy succulent traditional shrimp curry while sailing through the narrow canals of the mangroves. And as the sun sets over the delta, visitors don’t have to leave this incredible place at night. Luxury resorts are all inside the national park, allowing visitors to experience the wonder of waking up in the rainforest. Enjoy tea in the morning as you watch the sunrise over the trees. The Sundarban rainforest is a place so spectacular and unique that words don’t do it justice. Visit the Indian side of this remarkable place with a quick drive from nearby Kolkata, which is connected to many major cities.
Akumal, Mexico
Mexico is an extremely popular vacation spot for most North Americans. A short flight from the cold dreary weather of the north brings visitors to sunny, bustling Cancun or other popular sun soaked destinations such as Playa Del Carmen or Riviera Maya. The more adventurous traveler might journey into the interior, to the Mayan Ruins or Chichen Itza. However, sun soaked Akumal is often overlooked on our tourist itineraries. Located an hour’s drive from party-town Cancun lies Akumal Bay, a small town overlooking a bay that is home to abundant sea life, from turtles to sting rays to whale sharks. This resort town is significantly less crowded than the packed resorts in Cancun and yet it's extremely close to this well-connected city. In Akumal visitors can stay at the luxury boutique Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort which boasts one of the most incredible all-inclusive resort experiences. This resort is an all inclusive resort that offers affordable packages with fine dining, flights, transportation, and never ending activities. The resort boasts their own private beach which offers spectacular snorkeling. Fitness centers, spas, and tennis courts are also included in this slice of heaven. For more adventurous vacationers, nearby Tulum is home to the jaw-dropping Tulum ruins which were a sprawling ancient Mayan port city. Walk along its incredible cliffside before returning to your underwater exploration. Additionally, travelers who don’t like staying in one place can go on a whale shark snorkeling tour, swimming alongside these gentle giants. Akumal is a stunning part of the world that is often overlooked and is easily accessible from most major cities including Boston.