Winter is coming. As I write this, a late summer heatwave has just broken, and it’s hard to imagine snow boots and short days. But late summer and early fall are the perfect time to plan a winter beach getaway to the Caribbean—and your January self will thank you.

Every time I return from a winter beach trip, someone says, “Oh my god, this is the PERFECT time for a vacation.” I just smile and nod. My favorite time to head to the beach is mid- to late-January when the post-holiday lull meets peak sunshine. Bonus: there are great prices just after Thanksgiving through mid-December if you plan ahead.

If you are visiting Barcelona and have a day or two, I highly recommend getting out into the countryside and enjoying an authentic retreat. This trip reminded me that accessibility doesn’t mean sacrificing adventure—it means expanding it. With a little planning, we found joy, wine, and connection in places we never expected.