These cozy coastal retreats will have you rethinking your ski getaway:

St. Tropez in the off-season? Mais oui! As one of the few hotels open through January, Hotel La Ponche’s ideal location overlooking a charming square in the heart of the town’s pedestrianized center is just a three-minute walk from the main port. While it may not be bikini weather, visiting in the off-season unlocks a different side of the destination—from crowd-free winery tours (many of the estates are open year-round) to truffle hunting (November to March), and fresh seasonal produce like squash, wild mushrooms, and citrus at the twice-weekly Place des Lices market. For maximum sunshine, splurge on one of the hotel’s two Prestige Tropezian suites—the favorites of Brigitte Bardot and French painter Bernard Buffet—which feature large private terraces with sea views and a glimpse of the 17th-century citadel.

America’s favorite summertime escape has special magic in the cooler months — think: long strolls along empty beaches, and festive celebrations that transform the island into a winter wonderland. The most sought-after festive celebration, the annual Christmas Stroll, will take place from December 6-8, and feature elaborately designed storefronts outfitted with twinkling lights, cobblestone streets lined with hundreds of seven-foot lit trees decorated by locals, and Santa’s big arrival via the Coast Guard vessel. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Christmas Stroll, making the festivities even more special (and extra sparkly!). Where to stay? The White Elephant, located just a short walk from downtown, will reopen for the weekend of The Stroll and offer a special discount of 20% on a three-night stay in the Harborview Suites or a two-night stay in the Two Bedroom Residences, within the dates of December 5-9. Included in this package are two tickets to the Festival of Trees, Nantucket Stroll-themed scarves and beanies, and a bottle of bubbles. (Use the promo code STROLL24).

With winter lows in the high 40s, Barcelona’s mild winters make an appealing case for an off-season jaunt. The crowds are few, holiday markets are filled with locals, and the quiet beaches are primed for a stroll and a glass of warming vino tinto in a seaside café. Almanac Barcelona is at the crossroads of the bustling Passeig de Gràcia and the Gran Via boulevards. It’s one of the city’s few family-run hotels—an intimate retreat whose thoughtful team makes sure that guests have an entrée into the cultural metropolis. It helps that the 61 rooms and 30 suites feature either a Juliet balcony, a private terrace, or floor-to-ceiling window “cubes” with built-in daybeds—the perfect spots for taking in the action of the streets from above.