Travel Linkup: Cold vs Hot.

For this months travel linkup the theme is contrasts, so I thought I'd talk about the contrast between hot and cold travel destinations. Up until earlier this year I was a 'warm-weather-gal' through and through. Despite my friends inviting me on their ski trips every year, I'd always declined as I couldn't bear the thought of using my holiday time to spend it somewhere cold. Until I actually did go skiing.

My parents also hate cold weather, so we'd always holiday'd in the summer months in your typical warm countries; Australia, America, Singapore, Antigua, and the Mediterranean etc. 

But then I went skiing in February, and you know what? I actually bloody loved it. I went on a press trip to the Slovakian High Tatry mountains, and despite ice-skating every week for six years as a teenager, I was scared of the cold. 

My main fear of the cold comes from my claustrophobia. I can't stand the winter months because I hate the feeling of having loads of layers on. When I have a huge coat and scarf on, I often feel as though I'm suffocating. So I couldn't imagine anything worse than feeling like that on holiday. But it was OK. 

It was mainly because I had an all-in-one Retro Mountain snowsuit, which meant I didn't really need layers (other than thermals underneath), and I could easily unzip it from the neck down if I needed to 'escape'. I actually ended up having it unzipped from my chest upwards most of the time, and I was never cold which was brilliant! It meant I could ski and enjoy it, it meant I could go to the top of a mountain and just enjoy it without worrying about feeling claustrophobic and feeling as though my clothes were suffocating me.

And it turns out I'm actually pretty good at skiing! Apart from one little fall...which you can see here. Ahem. But you know what? That fall was actually f u n. Who knew! And I even had time to sit on a sunbed on top of a mountain...

So, what are my favourite things about hot weather travel? Well. The beaches mainly. I'm such a beach bum. I love nothing more than laying on a beach reading a good book, going for a swim or snorkel when I get hot and then laying down to dry off again. Sipping on cocktails and just completely and utterly relaxing. As many of you will know, Rottnest Island in Australia is my favourite place to do this. It's one of the most peaceful places in the world. 

If I'm at a resort where there are water sports then I love having a go on those, especially if they have hobie craft or little sailing dinghys. I used to do dinghy sailing three times a week when I lived in Australia, and I miss it so much. Beach holidays in a resort are the only chance I get to just sail again. It's so freeing. I impressed the girls last year when I helped the instructor sail us around in Cuba.

So what now? Well I think I'm still going to stick to my hot holidays, however, I'm already making sure my friends are aware they can invite me on ski trips now! I'm currently trying to persuade Oli to let us crash in his family abode in the Italian alps this winter. I'm sure I can bully him into it somehow... ;)

Which do you prefer - hot or cold?