Five southern spots for sunny winter getaways

The darker days of winter may spark a plan to head south for an extra dose of sunshine. Here are five ideas to consider.

Ritz Carlton, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida

Catch a glimpse of Old Florida and the abundant wildlife that makes the Headwaters of the Florida Everglades home. Shingle Creek, just minutes from the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes, is a world away from the bustling, Italian palazzo-inspired resort. Nestle into a kayak for a leisurely two-hour paddle during which your guide will point out the resident native species and share the region’s history. Expect ibises, limpkins, osprey, barred owls and bald eagles to break the peaceful ambiance of the waterway. For contrast, spend the following days at the pool, in the 40,000-square-foot spa, on the Greg Normandesigned golf course or at nearby theme and water parks.

For more: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/ hotels/florida/orlando

Tubac, Arizona

Head to sun-drenched southern Arizona for a multi-faceted family adventure. In Tubac, established in 1752 as a Spanish Presidio, declare the historic and family-friendly Tubac Golf Resort & Spa your base camp and let the exploration begin. Don’t forget your binoculars because the area is considered one of the best spots for birding in the country. When not checking off hummingbird and elegant trogon sightings on your list, enjoy a round of golf, a stroll through the local art community or time at the spa. Hike from the resort, situated on the 500-acre Otero Ranch in the Santa Cruz River Valley and appreciate views of the Tumacacori and Santa Rita peaks in the distance.

For more: www.TubacGolfResort.com; www. VisitArizona.com.

Observe egg-laying turtles, Ostional Wildlife Reserve, Costa Rica.

Over the course of a five-day arribada (Spanish for arrival) an impressive gathering of olive ridley and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles will lay up to 5 million eggs on this pristine Costa Rican beach.

Families can watch the adult turtles swim ashore, drop their eggs and then return to the sea. Hatchlings emerge from the sand and follow the scent of the ocean back to the safety of water. Volunteers can help protect the young ones from predators as they make their journey to the sea. The largest recorded arribada in Ostional took place in November 1995 when a calculated 500,000 females came ashore.

For more: www.nicoyapeninsula.com/ostional

Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida.

This oceanfront resort offers a bounty of family enticements via the Loews Loves Kids program. To begin, the resort has an array of kid-friendly amenities available upon request ranging from night lights and outlet covers to baby bath tubs and an Etch A Sketch.

Families can choose to enjoy the benefits of direct beach access (which makes castle building a breeze) or head to the zero-entry pool where pop fountains add to the vacation vibe. Celebrate in style by spending the day with access to a SOAK cabana where air conditioning, flat screen TVs, private butler service and rooftop terraces will convince the kids they’ve reached VIP status. Take a pizza-making class together or take advantage of Family Happy Hour, during which kids can enjoy complimentary lawn games while parents sip cocktails and cheer them on.

For more: www.LoewsHotels. com/MiamiBeach

Brac Reef, Cayman Brac

From this small, family-friendly Caribbean island, your clan can enjoy a dive vacation that includes exploring the 70 named dive sites in the waters around Cayman Brac as well as the Russian Frigate and the Bloody Bay Wall near Little Cayman Island.

The on-site dive shop provides personalized attention to the soon-to-be-certified as well as the seasoned diver.

The all-inclusive beachfront resort also offers free bike rentals to explore the island, spa services and volleyball. While exploring, note that the lush green forests throughout Cayman Brac are home to endangered parrots, brown boobies and peregrine falcons. When planning your trip, ask about special packages for families.

For more: www.BracReef. com