Even as a teen who loved to play in the sun, I would have told you my favourite season was fall. It was my fave time to ride my motorcycle, too. I’d rather be a little cool than too hot. Summertime, properly dressed for safety, it can get awfully steamy on a bike. Not to mention, in general life.
I’m at that age where I have more time on my hands. I could, if I wanted to, spend part of the winter in a different locale. So I said to myself, self? You’ve decided that typical getaway climates are too hot for you. So, where in the world does the temperature peak at about 20 degrees Celcius, give or take? Where the humidity doesn’t clog your asthmatic lungs and you don’t feel like an ant under a giant magnifying glass when you go for a walk. Where it’s about as safe as at home, you can find food without hunting it yourself, and get back to Canada in reasonable time if the need arises.
Our Gracefully & Frankly Queenager cruise will definitely take care of November 2027’s getaway, but it’s not a realistic goal for me EVERY year. (Details on joining us HERE.)
It’s not like I’ll never visit popular spots like Mexico and Hawaii again – I hope – but there must be someplace more suited to my special kind of …special. So, I sent myself on a quest to find the places on the planet where it’s possible to find the kind of climate made for me. Where the second I step outside, beads of sweat don’t form on the nape of my neck and my core temperature doesn’t shoot up as fast as fireworks.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
My research shows that top temps are about 25-26C in this city of nearly four-million. The country’s biggest city, Johannesburg, has about nine-million people and has a similar climate. English is widely spoken and ex-pats describe Cape Town as a wonderful city. I recently read Charles Spencer’s book about his sister Diana (Swan Song) and he has wonderful things to say about his past life in South Africa. It’s off the table for me, though. The flight is 20+ hours and there are legit safety concerns. The Spencers lived behind imposing gates and had 24/7 security staff. I want to explore, at least a little. Staying in a gated community for months on end doesn’t seem fun to me.
CHINA
Kunming, China, known as the City of Eternal Spring, has the weather I’m looking for. Peak highs of 25C in the summer and 16C in the winter. But it’s China. Human rights abuses might not apply to me as a non-citizen but I couldn’t put money into the economy knowing what goes on for other people. It’s a non-starter.
COLOMBIA
This South American country has several options for my kind of climate. Bogota, Pasto, and Tunja all get highs in the mid-teens and lows around 10C or so. That’s pretty much my ideal environment. While a visitor can take precautions against street crime and there’s a low chance of being kidnapped for ransom, it certainly isn’t zero. Any country with a reputation for gangs and drugs is a little much for me, long term. I’m looking for relaxation and freedom.
ECUADOR
This country would be just about perfect if not for spiders the size of dinner plates.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Too far. See the problem with Ecuador as well. Our neice has lived in Australia for a decade and it’s now her home. But she also shares photos of a venemous snake on a sidewalk in the city. And the spiders are big enough to put up a real fight if you want to sweep them outside.
Know When to Fold ‘Em
Many other countries have specific areas that meet my climate ideal. Trouble is, they’re mostly up in the mountains where altitude sickness becomes a potential problem and there are warnings about it. And it’s more barren with little to do. Listen, all I want is to be able to get back to Canada in a reasonable time, be relatively safe while I’m away, and not sweat like I’m in a sauna day in and out. Is that too much to ask? It is? Well, my research here just adds evidence to the belief that I’m not from this hot, sticky, spider-filled planet after all. Beam me up, Scotty!
I always say that I’d love to live somewhere year round where the climate is like May or early October in Southern Ontario. My husband reminds me that there are places like those but they come with bad politics or other dangerous issues. So I’ll enjoy SW Ontario outside when the weather is just right for this Goldilocks weather girl and enjoy A/C comfort in the summer when it’s too hot and the fireplace when it’s too cold in the winter. And my dogs can be with me. I only get so many summers and winters with them.
That’s about the size of it, Julia. And you’re so right about the dogs. I feel that way about Cuddles the cat!
I was impressed with Uruguay! It’s frequently cited as the safest and most peaceful country in South America. I especially like Punta del Este. I’m seriously considering it as an extended destination to avoid Canadian winters.
…goes to Google to research its climate…thanks, Wanda!
Mexico City also has perpetual spring weather. It’s very colonial, has beautiful old buildings, landscaped boulevards. The vendors aren’t aggressive like other parts of Mexico. Sadly the air quality is terrible but it’s worth a week or two.
Probably not worth it for me and my asthma. But thank you, Suzanne!