Feeling those winter blues? Check out our top winter sun destinations.
For a true winter treat, and definitely top of our list in the glamour stakes, you really can't beat the Maldives. Yes, it may be pricey, but you ll be getting beautiful beaches, crystal clear seas, and a temperature of 25-30° for your money. Great for water sports and diving, there s certainly plenty to do, but it s also idyllic for sun worshippers or those who want to sit back, relax and take in the beautiful surroundings. Flight times are a lengthy 12 hours, but we promise it ll be worth the journey!
Maldives
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Maldives
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Dubai
With soaring temperatures all year round, you just can’t beat the Middle East for guaranteed winter sun. Hotels are immaculate (Dubai boasts the only 7-star in the world), the beaches beautiful, and with some of the world’s biggest tax-free shopping malls, you may just pick up a few bargains while you’re there. Flights take around eight hours and winter temperatures average between 25-30°.
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Mexico
A popular choice with those looking to banish those winter blues and a celeb favourite, Mexico is great for sun worshippers and city slickers alike. Tourists flock to Cancun, for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife and excellent value for money, but don t forget the other areas on offer, too. Puerto Vallarta is just as beautiful, without the crowds, and Mexico City is a must for those looking for a little more adventure. On average, winter temperatures are around the mid 20s and flights take approximately 11 hours.
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Florida
Florida isn’t all Disney and theme parks – some of America’s best beaches are housed here, with not a Mickey Mouse in sight. The beaches of St Pete’s and Clearwater are always sure-fire hits, or if you want to head off the tourist trail, Naples is quieter and much more glam. For an exhilarating break from lounging on the beach, take a trip through the everglades on an airboat. They’re super quick – not one for the faint hearted – and you’re likely to see crocodiles, racoons and even the odd golden eagle. And Florida’s not known as the Sunshine State for nothing! Temperatures rarely dip below the 20s at any time of the year, and winters are usually mild, so expect an average of 25°.
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Egypt
For a winter break with a difference, you can’t get much better than Egypt. Offering fantastic value for money, there really is something for everyone, whether you’re a culture vulture or pool princess. The beautiful resort of Sharm el-Sheikh offers some fantastic beaches and hotels, and is great for diving enthusiasts. Or if it’s history you’re after, be sure to plan in a few days in Cairo to see Tutankhamun and the all-important pyramids. Flights take around seven hours and the great news is that during winter you can expect temperatures of around 20-25°.
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Cyprus
With its Mediterranean climate and long summers, Cyprus is the perfect winter sun destination for those who don’t want to venture too far from home. Temperatures can reach up to 40° during peak season, but even during winter never drop much below a sunny 15°, making it a perfect getaway. You can fly there by budget airline, so it won’t break the bank, plus, it’s just a short, four-hour hop away.
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Tenerife
A great cheap winter escape, and perfect for those short on time (flights are just two hours from London), Tenerife has long been a favourite with those looking to escape the cold. For some lively nightlife, choose Playa de las Americas – it’s brimming with bars and restaurants great for evenings out. If a quiet getaway is more your thing, head to Garachico on the northwest of the island. Its unspoilt views and pretty squares will undoubtedly leave you charmed. Winter temperatures are generally around 20-25°.
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Barbados
Well known for being a playground of the rich and famous, Barbados is the place to see and be seen during the winter months. If, like us, you can’t quite afford the Sandy Lane, there are many other affordable hotels on the island. Alternatively, some prefer to book a package including flights (which are about 9 hours). The great thing about the Caribbean (apart from the gorgeous beaches complete with gently swaying palms) is that temperatures stay warm all year round – during winter expect highs of around 30°.
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Lanzarote
The closest, reliable winter sun to Britain during the winter, Lanzarote is a short, four-hour hop away. Close enough to Africa to benefit from its warm winter weather, temperatures can vary anywhere between 15 and 25° - definitely still warm enough to take that dip in the pool! Lanzarote is a great destination for those on a budget, as hotels offer excellent value for money, plus, there are usually bargains to be had during wintertime. You can get there by budget airline, too, so there’s no need to splash out on expensive flights – put those extra pennies to good use and sample a few cocktails by the beach!
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Lamu, Kenya
If you like your winter breaks hot, exotic and as far from wet and windy Britain as possible, then the island of Lamu in Kenya could be just the place. You ll need two flights to get there, but once at your final destination you ll find endless sun, beaches and peace and quiet. Pristine and undeveloped, it s one of the best-preserved Swahili settlements in Africa, and currently a UNESCO World Heritage site. A definite must is Shela village, full of boutique hotels and set at one end of the beach - it s fast becoming a holiday-hotspot for fashionable sun seekers, so get in quick before the prices rise!
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Goa, India
One of India’s most irresistible destinations, winter sun seekers flock to Goa for its reliably warm weather and mixture of culture and beautiful white beaches. For those in need of a relaxing escape, it’s best to head north where it’s quieter and far less developed. Visit Morjim beach to see rare olive Ridley turtles, or head further up to Mandrem or Querim to truly escape the crowds. The best time to visit is between and October and March - if you’re there in February, don’t miss the Goa Carnival festival, it's lively and full of colour. Flights are long - around 12 hours - but a temperature of around 30° should make up for it when you arrive.
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Morocco
If you fancy sampling some Arabian delights while seeking out your winter sun, look no further than Morocco. Cosmopolitan and vibrant, with bustling bazaars and souks, there is certainly plenty to see. If you re feeling adventurous, stray off the beaten track to Tangier, or alternatively, head to Marrakech and stay in a beautiful riad. Hot and sunny for most of the year, it s a great place to visit from September to November, with temperatures generally in the high 20s. It is possible to do on a budget, and flights take around four hours.
20 BEST AUTUMN BREAKS
Thailand
Perfect for exotic winter travel without the hefty price tag, there’s far more to Thailand than meets the eye. Popular with backpackers and holidaymakers alike, its picture-perfect islands offer a calm oasis to shake off those winter blues, while the long white beaches are some of the best in the world. If bustling Bangkok’s not really your thing, Phuket and Koh Samui are well-known beauty spots. Alternatively, head to the mountains of Chiang Mai for elephant rides and mystic temples. Expect temperatures of 25-30°; flights take around 11 hours.
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Madeira
An up-and-coming winter escape, popular with a cool crowd who favour boutique hotels and lively nightlife, Madeira is fast earning itself a name as the next big city. For those who like active holidays, there is a long list of things to keep you entertained. Choose from diving, surfing or dolphin spotting, or take a trip to São Vicente’s volcanic caves. Mild winters and temperatures in the high 20s make it an ideal option for if you prefer your winter breaks closer to home, or are short of time and need to catch your rays over a long weekend. Flight times are around four hours, and many budget airlines fly there.
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Hawaii
Possessing some of the best beaches in the world, Hawaii is a heavenly paradise. A must-visit is Lanikai (meaning 'heavenly sea'), as this gorgeous beach truly lives up to its name. It s considered to be the best for swimming by locals and with its powdered sugar sand and sparking turquoise waters, is just about perfect to soak up the winter sun. Average temperatures during the day are in the high 20s and flights are long around 16 hours so go prepared and catch up on some sleep while you re in the air. You ll arrive bursting with energy and ready for some serious relaxation.
20 BEST AUTUMN BREAKS
Cape Verde
An unspoilt, undeveloped and often unheard of destination, Cape Verde is a popular winter sun choice for those in the know. A well-kept secret until fairly recently, it’s an archipelago of nine Portuguese-speaking islands, sitting off the coast off West Africa. Attractions include its long white beaches, Colonial-style towns and lush, volcanic landscape. And a flight time of just six hours! Between November and April temperatures are regularly in the high 20s, with eight hours of sunshine a day and very little rain.
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Gran Canaria
If you like to intersperse days on the beach with hours in the spa, Gran Canaria should be top of your list. With a raft of new luxury hotels (including the island's first Sheraton, in the shape of the Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort & Spa, home-from-home for Jennifer Lopez and family recently), this sunny spot is fast gaining a reputation as the best place in the Canaries for a little (or a lot, if you're so inclined) R'n'R. Thalassotherapy treatments are the island's speciality (our favourite courtesy of the Lopesan Villa del Conde Resort & Corallium Thalasso in Meloneras), but look out for aloe vera wraps and the like for soothing sun-toasted skin.
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