Following one of the wettest summers on record, Britons are in much need of some rest andrecuperation in a dry, warm and sunny climate. But where can you go for almost guaranteed wintersunshine? What are the best beaches to eat your Christmas dinner on? Where are the perfect spotsof winter paradise?
Dont fret, weve thrown together a list of the most beautiful destinations for allyou winter sun seekers:
Gold Coast, Australia
Made up of the mainland, the interesting island of Tasmania, and a number of smaller islands,Australia is one of the world’s largest countries by area. If you can cope with the long haul to theother side of the world, the land down under is a must visit destination at any time of year itsespecially appealing for winter sun seekers, though be careful during December and January whenthe Aussies have their summer and temperatures can be too hot for some! With so much on offersuch as beaches, wildlife and national parks and the juxtaposition between wilderness and vibrantcities, Australia has a very wide appeal.
Cape Verde, Atlantic Ocean
Located in the central Atlantic and famed for its stunning sandy beaches, Cape Verde is becoming anincreasingly popular winter sun destination. It boasts largely untouched and natural beaches acrossan archipelago of paradise islands, and average temperatures are generally higher than the nearbyCanaries Islands. The island of Boa Vista is a particularly popular winter sun getaway, famed for itsfantastic sandy beaches and eclectic fusion of West African and European music.
Cuba, Caribbean
The Caribbean is an excellent choice for all winter sun travellers, and Cuba is one of the mostpopular destinations due to its combination of stunning beaches, modern facilities set in a retro 50sbackdrop, and colourful history. Havana, the capital of Cuba is a must visit as is the Havana Club rumfactory. Outside of historic Havana, other places of significant interest are Mantanzas city and thebeautiful Varadero beach.
Dubai, UAE
A relative newcomer to holiday guides, this city/beach resort boasts an impressive winter sunclimate – in fact winter is the best time to visit Dubai; summer is extremely hot, with temperaturessoaring into the high 40′s Dubai or Brighton in December, you decide! Dubai has it all to offer;shopping in out-of-this-world shopping complexes, exploring ancient fortresses and experiencing thefull scale of the surrounding desert. That said, if youre feeling a little lazy you could just lay out bythe glitzy swimming pool of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels. Your choice!
Egypt and The Red Sea
The all-year-round sunshine and fascinating history of the famous Red Sea Riviera makes Egypt oneof the most popular winter sun destinations for British holiday-makers. Explore the stunning coralreefs up close while snorkelling in the warm sea – The Red Sea is home to some of the most beautifulmarine life on the planet.
Florida, USA
A real favourite with winter sun seekers, Florida is sunny and warm for most of the British winter.Boasting some of the United States’ best beaches of fine white sand, Florida is ideal for those lookingfor luxury and relaxation. Many holiday-makers choose to hire villas, though there is a hugeselection of mid-to-high-end hotel accommodation to suit any budget. A perfect location for familiestoo, and if you are bringing the kids along, be sure to make a stop in Orlando – easily theentertainment capital of the world, with two of the world’s most famous theme parks: Disney Worldand Universal Studios.
The Canary Islands
Reachable on only short flights available from most UK airports, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzaroteand Fuerteventura are all as popular as ever for quick winter sun. Although rarely scorching hot, theislands in the Canaries are almost always warm and even in the depth of winter they are generallysunny. With warm sunshine, large sweeping sandy beaches and good sea temperatures,Fuerteventura is the ideal destination for beach dwellers and water-sport fans. For groups of youngpeople, Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria offers a lively and buzzing resort of late night bars, a pictureperfect beach and a range of mid-high-end hotels to choose from. For the more laid-back, thestunning sand dunes of Maspalomas are a sight to behold.
Goa, India
For a winter sun location you wont typically find in the travel agents brochures (and if you canstomach a 12-hour flight!), Goa is one of the most compelling destinations for a winter break.Offering delicious food served in exotic settings and boasting stunning sunsets, Goa is well worth thetrip. Explore the colourful spice markets and enjoy the friendly hospitality of the locals before kickingback on the beautiful beaches. Whether you choose to go to North, Central or South Goa, theclimate will almost always be very hot, so it is worth checking monthly temperatures before decidingexactly where and when in winter you want to go!
Malaysia
There is nowhere quite like Malaysia, an enigmatic combination of high-tech cities, lush rainforestsand undeveloped, natural beaches. The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, is one of the mostintriguing cities in the world, offering an eclectic mix of old and new; from colonial buildings fromthe past, to some of the most modern architecture of anywhere in the world. For those seeking purerelaxation and privacy, an array of small islands off the west coast peninsula offers tranquil beachholidays. Langkawi and Pangkor are both highly recommended.
Mexico
If you don’t fancy the Caribbean this winter, but still want a similar climate and the same stunningbeach resorts, Mexico could be the destination you are looking for. With a high standard of serviceand accommodation, Mexico is an intriguing and enticing winter sun option. Whale watch from thebeaches of Todos Santos and enjoy quality Mexican cuisine in this small town on the Pacific coast.Cabo San Lucas in the Gulf of California is a particular highlight.
Sri Lanka
One of the more affordable Indian Ocean winter sun destinations, Sri Lanka offers some simply stunning must see sights. Sample fresh tea in the hill country’s tea plantations while watchingelephants roam across the island’s nature reserves. At the end of a day sightseeing, relax on the finesandy beach at Induruwa.
Thailand
Another long flight, but if you have the time, Thailand offers incredible value for winter sun seekers.With its unparalleled mix of beauty, culture, cuisine and spirituality, Thailand is one of the favouredwinter sun destinations. There are many resorts along the coast of Andaman offering high qualityaccommodation and great service and throughout the whole of the British winter the sun is almostguaranteed to shine. Those looking for colourful culture and liveliness, head for Phuket or otherpopular resorts such as, Khao Lak or Phi Phi. The more adventurous will want to head north toChiang Mai, where it is possible to view the border territories of Thailand, Burma and Laos.
