Let's face it: Minnesota winters drag on for waaaaaay too long. Even if you're the hardiest of cold-blooded northlanders, by the time March rolls around and there's still a foot of snow on the ground, you're yearning to hop on a plane and land somewhere warm (or, at least, somewhere less cold than here - which is pretty much anywhere).
Thankfully, you don't have to spend a fortune for a midwinter escape. Below you'll find deals for every budget. And the best part? They all include accommodations and round-trip airfare from gateway cities.
So what are you waiting for? These deals won't last long!
Allegro Cozumel Beach Resort
Price: From $539
When it's the middle of January and the temp hasn't risen above zero for two weeks, you'll wish you were here. White sand beaches, sparkling turquoise waters and an all-inclusive package make this resort the perfect midwinter getaway. When you're not lounging on the beach, try sailing, snorkeling or wind-sailing - they're all included!
Road trip through Tuscany
Price: From $699
Explore the Tuscan countryside with this 8-day package. A rental car is included, so you can day trip to Florence, Siena, Pisa, and countless other storybook villages amidst the rolling countryside. And you won't want to miss a wine tasting at one of the area's many world-class vineyards.
8-day Costa Rican adventure
Price: From $569
Costa Rica is well worth a visit at any time of year - but especially in the winter, when you're dying to feel the sun on your skin. With this package, you'll stay in three locations to get a flavor for everything this Central American paradise has to offer. Lush rainforest? Check. Spectacular scenery? Check. Beaches that look like they're straight out of a magazine? Check. And so much more!
Northern lights trip to Iceland
Price: From $599
Maybe beaches just aren't your thing. Or maybe you're in the mood for something a little less tropical. With Iceland beckoning - and finally in your budget - you're in for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. And the best thing about going in the winter? You're all but guaranteed to see some spectacular northern lights.
12-day guided tour through China
Price: From $599 (!!)
Always dreamed of visiting the Great Wall? Now's your chance! This tour hits all the major sights - Beijing, Xi'an's Ancient City, Shanghai, Hangzhou and multiple stops in between.
Sounds too good to be true, right? Twelve days in China with hotels AND a guided tour AND airfare (from select gateway cities)? Trust me, it's real! With an original price of $2,199, this trip is 73% off - a whopping savings of $1,600!
Italian getaway to Rome and Amalfi
Price: From $749
A week in Italy for under a thousand dollars? Sign me up! Visit the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and other Roman sights before heading south to the sun-soaked Amalfi Coast. There, you'll find breathtaking seaside scenery.
A rental car is included, so you can take a day tripto Pompeii and explore the dozens of picturesque villages along the Mediterranean.
Ocean Coral & Turquesa all-inclusive beach resort in the Riviera Maya
Price: $439
Treat yourself to a tropical getaway. Nestled on the Caribbean coast between Cancún and Playa del Carmen, this all-inclusive resort features a gorgeous beach, four pools (and a swim-up bar!), daily activities, nighttime entertainment, and multiple restaurants.
England escape
Price: From $699
Winter in England is nothing compared to ours. So why not take advantage of their low season? Cozy up in a countryside B&B. See the sights of London. Take a day trip to Stonehenge. Hop aboard a double-decker bus for a tour along the Thames. No matter what you choose, you're bound to have a blast.
9 days in Thailand
Price: From $899
Yearning to visit somewhere exotic? A staple in every well-traveled wanderer's itinerary, Thailand offers startlingly beautiful beaches, otherworldly scenery, a vibrant culture, and adventurous cuisine. Oh, and gorgeous weather, too.
Zimbali Retreat in Negril, Jamaica
Price: $399
Get off the beaten path with this eco-friendly getaway. Stay at an organic farm in the lush Jamaican mountains. With open-air decks and sweeping views of the jungle, you'll feel like you're in a treehouse. You can hear the frogs, see the stars and immerse yourself in nature.
The perfect trip for foodies (and aspiring foodies), this deal includes a farm tour and Rastafarian forest-based cooking class. You can also hike through the rainforest, admiring the spectacular views of the Caribbean, and then take it easy in a hammock overlooking the farm. You won't be far from the ocean, so snorkeling and swimming are certainly on the agenda, too.
8-day jaunt through Paris and Barcelona
Price: From $849
You can't see Europe in a day, but with this 8-day trip, you'll get a solid taste of two of the continent's most intriguing cities. Start in Paris, where you can take a token selfie in front of the Eiffel Tour, visit the Louvre, take a boat tour along the Seine, enjoy sweeping views from the Sacre Coeur and see the Moulin Rouge. Then head south to Barcelona, where you'll find equally amazing architecture (not to mention some sun!)
La Haut Resort in Soufriere, St. Lucia
Price: From $359
A gem of an island in the South Caribbean, St. Lucia will blow your mind with its towering green mountains, colorful villages, and sparkling turquoise waters. You'll find more than just beaches here. You can drive right up to an active volcano (fair warning: your clothes will stink like sulfur for days!), take a mudbath in the natural hot springs, go zip-lining through the jungle, hike to hidden waterfalls and admire some breathtaking sunsets.
And you won't be able to resist getting a million pictures of the island's iconic Pitons - twin volcanic spires rising dramatically above the sea.
8 days in Ireland
Price: From $499
Chalk it up to the "luck o' dee Irish" for finding a deal this great! Equipped with a rental car from your home base in the County Limerick, you can explore the entire Emerald Isle, from the Blarney Castle to the Cliffs of Moher to the streets of Dublin. A 10-day option is also available.
All-inclusive stay at the Royal Decameron Los Cabos
Price: From $459
Ready to see some color again after a long black-and-white winter? You'll find all shades of blue and green at this all-inclusive beach resort near Cabo San Lucas. With two pools, a long sandy beach, two restaurants, and nightly entertainment, you won't even have to leave the grounds.
There's plenty to do nearby, too. Winter is the best time of year for a whale-watching boat ride. If you're lucky, you might just catch a glimpse of a majestic humpback whale breaching.
Quick trip to Amsterdam
Price: $599
Amsterdam is lovely year-round, whether awash with tulips in early spring or blanketed with snow in the winter. There's so much to do here any time of year. Walk along the canals, taking in the shimmering reflections of the colorful buildings. Visit the world-class art museums. Take a sobering tour through Anne Frank's house. Or escape for a day to the picturesque Dutch countryside.
All-inclusive stay at Barceló Puerto Vallarta
Price: From $539
Mexico has dozens of beach destinations that make for perfect winter getaways. Puerto Vallarta, however, boasts much more than strips of sand and endless rows of resorts. Nestled in the lush green foothills of the Sierra Madre, the city itself has plenty of sights. And there's no shortage of sparkling beaches along the deep blue Pacific.
