Discount cruises from galveston

Follow the sun south to warm your spirit and chase away the chills

When the winter blues set in and you long for warmer climes, head to the Southeast or Southwest for spectacular scenery, warm sunny days, plenty of activities, or time to just relax.

Arizona and New Mexico are two of our favorite spots. We love the mix of deserts, mountains, and geological wonders, as well as the fascinating blend of Native American, Hispanic, and cowboy cultures.

From the Grand Canyon in the north to historic Tombstone, a museum town filled with Old West history, Arizona is full of things to do and places to see. Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Mesa offer more than 300 days of sunshine per year, plus a bonanza of deluxe resorts, spas, golf courses, tennis courts, pools, shopping experiences, and restaurants. It's all in the magnificent setting of the Sonoran Desert with the backdrop of the Superstition Mountains.

For the ultimate getaway, head slightly north of Phoenix to Carefree, home of The Boulders, the desert hideaway you've always dreamed of. Named for the 12-million-year-old granite boulder formations in the area, the resort offers a multitude of ways to banish the winter blahs.

For even more fun in the sun, head south to Tucson, where there are 350 days of sunshine annually, making it the perfect place for year-round outdoor fun.

If guest ranches are what you have in mind, you'll want to head about an hour northwest of Phoenix to the old mining town of Wickenburg, where you can take your pick of several, including the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch, which is both a National and a State Historic Site, and Rancho de los Caballeros, which offers an 18-hole golf course along with traditional ranch activities.

If you like to combine water and desert experiences, it's hard to beat houseboating on Lake Powell, a recreational paradise stretching from northern Arizona into southern Utah. The lake has more coastline than the west coast of the U.S. and 96 canyons to explore. You can use Page as your starting point or base for excursions into the area. Don't miss nearby Monument Valley.

Another place to savor the desert-water combo is Lake Havasu. If you never saw the London Bridge in London, you can see it in Lake Havasu City, where the bridge was reconstructed brick by brick in 1971. In addition to the lake and the Mojave-Sonoran desert ecosystem, the area also is home to the Creative Cultural Center, which showcases Native American culture in a working and teaching environment.

In neighboring New Mexico, begin your adventures in Albuquerque, home of the delightful Old Town, a historic zone in the heart of the city. A great way to get an authentic taste of the city is to take a class at the Jane Butel Cooking School. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center provides an excellent introduction to the Native American culture; make this your first stop before visiting the area pueblos. Petroglyph National Monument, the world's largest accessible collection of prehistoric rock art, lies on the western edge of the city.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is the biggest draw for the town of Carisbad, but there's a lot more to see and the weather is just right for doing it. Here the Guadalupe Mountains meet the Chihuahuan Desert, which meets the Pecos River and three nearby lakes--you can hike, climb, golf, bike, fish, swim or explore to your heart's content. If you're there in December, don't miss Christmas on the Pecos, a boat tour on the river past more than 100 private homes decorated with elaborate light displays.

Silver City, an 1880s mining boom town, is the gateway to the Gila National Forest and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, a 13th century settlement carved into the sandstone cliffs.

Near the Texas/Mexico border, Las Cruces and the nearby community of Mesilla draw visitors for the rich Spanish colonial heritage as well as the annual Whole Enchilada Festival in October, a celebration of the chile.

Deep in the heart of Texas is a great place to warm up, thanks to both the people and the climate. Whether you opt for fiesta-ful San Antonio, the German accents of Texas Hill Country, or the sunkissed Gulf Coast, you'll find a warm welcome.

Follow the Wine Trail through Texas Hill Country for both great wines and delightful small towns. It's a tasteful way to tour Texas. Consider making German-heritage Fredericksburg your base for day trips in the region. Step back in time by Staying in one of the dozens of exceptional bed-and-breakfast inns. If it's Old West flavor you're after, head for Bandera, the "Cowboy Capital of the World" and stay in one of a dozen guest ranches.

With mild winter temperatures and more than 300 sunny days a year, San Antonio, the Alamo City, ranks high with visitors seeking relief from snow, ice, and cold weather. The city's multicultural fabric provides a fascinating destination that has something to interest virtually everyone.

If you prefer to be near the water, head to the Gulf Coast and towns like Galveston, Port Aransas, and Corpus Christi, where the climate is mild and the fishing is great. Houston, 50 miles inland and still America's third largest seaport, abounds with museums, like the Museum of Fine Arts. Its chief tourist attraction, though, is Space Center Houston, official visitors center of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

Texas isn't the only state with Gulf frontage--look to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida for more coastal attractions.

When you mention Louisiana, New Orleans immediately comes to mind, followed by Mardi Gras. Those in the know also quickly think of Cajun and Creole cooking, hot jazz, the French Quarter, and much more.

If you can tear yourself away from the "Big Easy," you'll find even more to love about Louisiana in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Baton Rouge boasts the largest concentration of plantation homes in the South, many of which offer B&B accommodations. Lafayette is in the heart of Cajun Country and prides itself on its Acadian heritage and zydeco music. Lafayette also boasts a family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration. Nearby Avery Island is the home of Tabasco, that world-famous hot sauce.

One of the best ways to visit Louisiana and neighboring states is by boat--steamboat or river barge, to be exact. Delta Queen Steamboat Company steam paddlewheelers ply the Mississippi and scenic rivers through the American Heartland and the Old South. Many cruises have a theme, such as jazz, Big Band, or Civil War.

RiverBarge Excursions Lines offers the first floating river barge vacation accommodations in the United States. The R/B River Explorer is comprised of two interlocked barges powered by a towboat, which pushes the barges. The vessel explores seven different regions, including the Mississippi, Cumberland, and Ohio rivers.

Plantation houses, antebellum mansions, and the romance of the Old South are part of the charm of Mississippi. In Natchez, the oldest permanent settlement on the Mississippi River, more than 500 buildings are on the National Register. A hike along the nearby Natchez Trace brings the early days of our country vividly to life as you imagine foot after foot tramping down the earth along this key trail. At the National Military Park in Vicksburg, relive the 47-day siege of the city once known as the "Gibraltar of the Confederacy." Vicksburg is also where Coca-Cola was first bottled in 1894.

Follow Highway 90, also called the "Hospitality Highway," along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Take your choice of laid-back resort activities or fast-paced casino action. In picturesque Bay St. Louis, enjoy a tour of the bayous, marshes, and bay area. In Biloxi, tour Beauvoir, the last home of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. In Gulfport, tour the old Fort Massachusetts, or take a tour of the Gulf Coast Winery and sample the fruit of the vine. In Pascagoula, don't miss the Old Spanish Fort and Museum, the oldest edifice west of the Atlantic Coast.

In Alabama, be sure to visit the Mobile Bay area, which abounds with attractions, nature preserves, beaches, and lots of history. A stop at the beautiful Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore is a must anytime of year. Did you know that Mobile celebrated Mardi Gras long before New Orleans? You can learn all about it at the Museum of the City of Mobile--or better yet, be there at Mardi Gras time. For a boat ride on the wild side, take a swamp tour on the bayou near Mobile.

The Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area is a well-kept secret among snowbirds who have discovered its scenic beauty, recreational activities, and moderate prices. The 6,000 acres of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge are a major draw for wildlife enthusiasts. Birdwatchers will want to explore the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. The area abounds with golf, tennis, fishing, hiking--or shopping. There are huge discount outlet malls, tiny antique or craft shops, and everything in-between.