Sunny, affordable escapes for winter

(Photo: Panama City, FL via Shutterstock)

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In winter, there are two types of people: those who are cold and those who are warm. Claim your spot in the second camp without draining the vacation coffers.

These 10 sunny destinations offer warm days and cheap deals. So go ahead, ditch the mittens and hop a plane to hotter climes.

Panama City Beach, Fla.

Let Panama City Beach soothe your winter woes with its white-sand beaches, emerald water, and an annual average of 320 days of sunshine. Throughout January, Osprey on the Gulf and Driftwood Lodge (both highly rated by TripAdvisor users) have a special rate of $50 per night. Through April, one-bedroom condo units at participating Sterling Resorts start at $36 per night, with added perks like yoga classes on the beach and fishing excursions.