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Do you miss the sunshine of summer? It can be a long, cold stretch between the holiday season and when spring arrives. There is some good news, though: you can enjoy great vacation destinations where the sun is (almost) always shining. Here are seven places you can go to when you need to get a dose of vitamin D.
Málaga, Spain
Costa del Sol, located on the southern coast of Spain, literal translates to Sun Coast. Here, you'll find the city of Málaga. According to The Local, this Mediterranean city experiences more than 320 days of sunshine each year. Cloudy days are such a rarity that you can book a trip with confidence you'll get plenty of sun during your visit. It's even sunnier than another popular Spanish vacation destination, the Canary Islands. They get about 2,900 hours of sun each year as compared to Málaga's 3,000. Combine all that sunshine with some tapas and time in the Mediterranean, and you'll have one relaxing and sun-soaked vacation.
Larnaca, Cyprus
Sun-seekers really can't go wrong with the island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The Cyprus Alliance website notes that the whole island experiences an average of 320 days of sun each year. If you really want to hedge your bets for a sunny vacation, though, you'll want to book a hotel in Larnaca. Nestled on the aptly-named Larnaca Bay along the southern coast, Larnaca is considered one of the sunniest spots on Cyprus. On average, it has 326 days of sunshine each year. That's nearly a week more than the rest of the island country. There is plenty more to do than sunbathe, too. Larnaca visitors can kayak or mountain bike through the area while the sun beats down. The island is full of archaeological sites to explore and has multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites within driving distance.
Santa Barbara, California
When American travelers are looking for sun but don't want to break out their passport, they can find warm weather in Santa Barbara, California. Santa Barbara enjoys an average of 283 sunny days each year, according to Best Places. While residents get to enjoy plenty of sunshine, it never actually gets that hot in this coastal city. In fact, the average summer temperature is a breezy 73 degrees Fahrenheit. While you are enjoying the mild, sunny weather, you can take in some of Santa Barbara's best sites. These include the 18th-century mission church and the small-but-impressive Santa Barbara Zoo. You might need a light jacket in the cooler evenings when you are exploring, but you'll get away with summer clothing for most of your visit.
Perth, Australia
Perth sits along the western coast of Australia, where it gets an average of 265 days of sunny or partly-sunny weather each year. The Telegraph breaks these sunny stats down even further, noting that Perth gets an average of 3,220 hours of sunshine each year, or about 12 hours a day. So even if you end up sleeping in, you'll still get a healthy dose of vitamin D before the sun goes down. When you tire of the sun, you can sign up for a guided tour to go stargazing out in the bush.
Yuma, Arizona
Want another sunny destination a little closer to home? It turns out the sunniest spot in the world sits in the southwestern United States. Yuma, Arizona, claims the prize as the sunniest place in the world. It has more than 310 days of sunshine each year. While the city might have the most sunshine — more than 4,000 hours a year — it's actually not the hottest place in the United States. That's because the desert heat is low on humidity. Also, the overnight temperatures help keep things cool. You might want to skip visiting there in July, though, when the average high reaches an incredible 106 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a great place for some winter sun, though, when you'll enjoy temperatures in the mid-70s. You'll get to take in plenty of incredible southwestern food and art, too, making it an even more tempting vacation destination.
Amman, Jordan
Jordan is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination. Welcoming locals are eager to share their culture and rich history with visitors. It's a good place to go when you are looking for sunshine, too. The country enjoys an average of 3,602 hours of sun every year. That's more than 300 days. While you are soaking up the sun, you can also soak up all the rich cultural heritage of Jordan. Take in the famous site of Petra, soak in the Dead Sea, or explore Wadi Rum on the back of a camel.
Honolulu, Hawaii
There is a reason they call it a tropical paradise. According to U.S. Climate Data, Honolulu soaks up more than 3,041 hours of sunshine per year. While the island of Oahu experiences a rainy season during the winter months, storms are generally short-lived before they give way to the sunshine. The temperatures are also incredibly consistent, with year-round temps hovering in the 80s. With cool breezes coming off of the ocean, this makes Honolulu a sun-lover's paradise. The waters are warm, the temperatures are mild, and, for some reason, everything smells amazing. History lovers can enjoy tours highlighting Hawaii's native culture and the important role the island has played in international wartime. Or you can munch on some pineapple and enjoy the view from your beach towel.