Top 15 world destinations ranking the best for sun and fresh air exposure during winter months

As the coldest and darkest season of the year, winter has a reputation for being a period of hibernation, getting cozy and saving up energy for warmer months. This also applies to traveling – people tend to plan their trips for days when the weather is better, and they feel more energetic.

However, the winter season is the time of year when we need to boost our vitamin intake the most. During the winter months, it is estimated that 42% of Americans experience Vitamin D deficiency. With it being such an important requirement for our immune system, it’s essential we find ways to give it a natural boost.

Which destinations can help boost your immune system?

To uncover the destinations that are the best for a vitamin-boosting vacation, we conducted research that has taken into account the factors that contribute to vitamin absorption. By analyzing a number of sunny days throughout the year, air quality index and average winter temperatures, we’ve ranked 15 world destinations that will give your body the vitality it needs.

With an overall wellness score of 79, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic occupies the first spot due to a combination of factors. Not only does it have crystal clear beaches with turquoise blue water, but Puerto Plata has 184 clear days a year. Additionally, its average temperature during the winter months is 82.4 °F and with a good air quality score of 9 U.S. AQI, this makes Puerto Plata the number one destination for a vitamin vacay.

Dubai is the destination that ranked second with an overall score of 75. The number of clear days per year reaches 266 with the average temperature during winter being 78.8 °F. However, Dubai’s air quality score of 71 U.S. AQI indicates lower air quality, making it the second-best destination for a vitamin vacation.

Unsurprisingly, one of the most popular US holiday spots has found its way into the top three. Honolulu ranks third with 156 clear days a year, an average temperature of 80.6 °F during the winter months and a good air quality score of 19 U.S. AQI. All this on top of being a fantastic surfing destination with its golden beaches and mesmerizing scenery.

From Italy and Greece, all the way to Peru and South Africa, our ranking of the best destinations for a vitamin vacation offers inspiration for a wide range of holidays. To discover the remaining destinations suitable for a vitamin boost vacation, have a look at our ranking table:

“Taking a sunny break during the winter months can help refresh your body and mind. The beginning of the year is well-known for post-holiday blues and lower mood so having a vacation plan and to look forward to is a good way to focus on the positives. While most vitamin destinations in our ranking are located in some of the most beautiful places around the world, it was great to see that some local US favorites also topped the ranking showcasing that your vitamin boost vacation might be only a short flight away!” says Jonathan Brunger, Scott Dunn US Travel specialist.

If this research has given you itchy feet ready to travel, check out our inspiration hub and start planning your next trip today: https://www.scottdunn.com/us/luxury-holiday.

Sources:
Air Quality Index – https://www.iqair.com/us/
Clear Days – https://www.sunlitvibes.com/sunniest-cities-in-the-world/
Weather – https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/

Methodology:
Using publicly available data from the sources stated above, we gathered figures on the number of clear days per year, air quality and average winter temperatures. By assigning each destination a score from 0-100 for each category in relation to one another (0 being lowest score and 100 highest) we calculated the average score which formed the overall Wellness Score that takes into account all three factors.