What’s turning out to be a snowy and miserable winter may have many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians thinking about sunnier climes, but with rising global tensions, destinations might be harder to choose.

Julia Kent of CAA Atlantic says there are plenty of options for those concerned about travel to the southern U.S. or Cuba.

She says increasingly, travelers are choosing to head east, rather than south.

She says destinations like Portugal have become more popular in recent years for a variety of reasons.

She says favourable exchange rates are one reason, but direct flights from airports like St. John’s and Halifax are making it easier for people to choose European destinations.