If you haven’t gotten the memo, winter’s here blasting freezing temperatures, snow and gray days throughout the United States. Let’s turn this frown upside down, Mother Nature is saying it’s a fine time to begin planning a winter vacation to a warm weather destination.

The folks at TripAdvisor released the “Top 10 Places to Escape the Cold” in its November 30, 2009, Trip Watch enewsletter sparking ideas on where to travel. So which destination is tops on the list?

Cancun, Mexico, where vacationers can escape the cold while dipping toes in sugar-white sand beaches and spectacular, aqua-blue waters. Yes, it’s a popular spring break destination but also has many activities for families including horseback riding, snorkeling, canoeing, and swimming with dolphins. Of course, Cancun has an active night scene to dine and dance. With the favorable exchange rate for Americans, a Cancun vacation is an affordable option.

The other nine vacation destinations making the TripAdivsor list are:

2. St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
3. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
4. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
5. Miami Beach, Fla.
6. San Juan, Puerto Rico
7. Honolulu, Hawaii
8. Orlando, Fla.
9. Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico
10. Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Photo: TripAdvisor.com