Tenerife and Lanzarote in the Canaries – and the Egyptian Red Sea resorts – are all less than five hours’ flying time away from the UK, and offer year-round sunshine. We also recommend The Gambia on the West coast of Africa where you’ll find great-value hotels, lovely beaches and wildlife excursions. It’s a six-hour flight from the UK.
The beautiful island of Madeira is a superb winter destination within 5 hours flying time. The rugged landscape is ideal for walking, or you can simply lie back and soak up the sunshine. You can stay at either a resort cheap hotels or one of the beautifully-restored countryside quintas.
If you want somewhere more unusual, remote and great value, try the smaller Canary Islands such as La Palma (which has direct flights from the UK), the gorgeous La Gomera reached by ferry crossing from Tenerife or tiny La Graciosa just north of Lanzarote. Find our tips on where to go in the Canaries.
Egypt is not just about sunbathing, of course. If you want to see the Pyramids, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, we recommend this 10-night Classic Egypt holiday which combines a Nile cruise and a few days in Cairo where you can stay at the luxury Four Seasons Cairo or the small stylish Villa Belle Epoque.
Florida can be great value, although it’s hard to resist all those discount shopping malls. Try a fly-drive to discover the highlights of the Sunshine State, or check out some cheap deals in Orlando.
Tropical islands
For a taste of winter paradise, head to the Indian Ocean and the idyllic island of Mauritius. You can also soak up the sun in the gorgeous settings of the Maldives and the Seychelles. With perfect beaches, stunning hotels and first-class service, they’re the perfect antidote to wintry weather.
The Cape Verde islands off the coast of west Africa are great value and just 6 hours flying time from the UK. There are six islands where you can stay, all with different scenery from Sao Vicente – the cultural heart – to volcanic Fogo and Santo Antao, the greenest island. See the latest special offers.
The islands of Thailand offer amazing beaches, great food and excellent value. It’s best in winter to stick to the west coast islands such as Phuket.
Hawaii is a fabulous destination with stunning surf beaches, awe-inspiring volcanic landscapes and a colourful local culture. You can join an escorted tour of the islands, take a small ship cruise to see the highlights or laze on a perfect beach in Kaua’i. You can even take a cycle tour of Big Island.
Caribbean holidays in winter
A winter break in the Caribbean is a real treat, whether you opt for the quiet charm of Grenada or the celebrity stardust of Barbados. The soft sandy beaches and lush scenery of Tobago and Jamaicaprovide the ideal backdrop for a lazy winter sun holiday.
As long as you avoid the peak season of Christmas and New Year, you can find some great prices. Some of the best deals are in Cuba where you can flop on a beach or, if you are more adventurous, take a self-drive tour. Other options include this 11-night Highlights of West Cuba tour that features more simple but characterful accommodation such as La Moka Ecolodge.
Other hotels you should consider are elegant Round Hill or Sandals Royal Plantation in Jamaica (see the latest special hotel offers), and boutique-style Laluna on the small friendly island of Grenada.
On St Lucia – another beautiful island with lush volcanic peaks and charming fishing villages – for something really special, we recommend Anse Chastanet and its ‘big sister’ Jade Mountain.
If you prefer an adults-only hotel, The House in Barbados is a great option.
Other options in the Caribbean include a tall ship cruise with Star Clippers. Find more ideas for cruise holidays.
See my fellow editor David Wickers’ selection of the best Caribbean holidays.
Asia and the Middle East
You can fly to the Arabian Gulf in less than 7 hours and find guaranteed sunshine, endless sandy beaches and stunning hotels. For glamour, shopping and mouth-watering restaurants, try Dubai Hotels. You can also try these extreme adventures in Dubai, including a spectacular tandem sky dive over the Palm.
If culture and natural beauty are your priorities, head to neighbouring Oman where you’ll find desert, medieval forts, remote beaches and mountains. One of the best hotels is the Six Senses Zighy Bay. See the latest special offers.
Bali is heavenly in our winter months. Try the family-friendly resorts of Sanur and Nusa Dua or stylishSeminyak. For good-value beach holidays with a heavy dose of culture we also recommend Sri Lanka.
We love the East Coast of Malaysia, particularly the gorgeous Tanjong Jara.
If you’ve been to Asia before – perhaps Thailand or Vietnam – your next stop should be Burma. It’s not only a beautiful and fascinating country with natural and man-made wonders (such as the temples at Pagan), but the Burmese people are wonderfully warm, welcoming and gentle.
Back in the Middle East, Jordan is a glorious country and ideal for a touring holiday in winter.
Wrap up warm
Treat yourselves to a ski trip. For families we recommend Esprit Ski which has 27 years experience of making sure you and your little ones have a wonderful winter break in the Alps. However, if you want to ski in real style, try The Lodge, Verbier or head to Colorado in America. One of the best value options on the slopes is a chalet holiday
Go north for a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights – for the next two winters the chance of a spectacular display is greatly increased. You’ll also have a good chance of seeing the lights while staying at Sweden’s Ice Hotel. For a wonderful family treat, you can visit visit Santa in Lapland.
One of the world’s most under-rated holiday destinations is Canada Hotels. In winter you can explore the majestic unspoilt landscapes of the Yukon – and see the Northern Lights – or go dog-sledding and snowmobiling in the Rockies or stay at the Ice Hotel in Quebec. It’s a true winter wonderland.
If you want to get away from modern commercial Christmas celebrations, head for a traditional Christmas market in Europe. You’ll find huge markets in Cologne, Munich and Prague, along with hymn recitals, ice staking and lots of mulled wine. Lesser-known cities such as Freiburg, Koblenz andWiesbaden are even more traditional.
Adventure holidays
A safari is a great winter holiday. Choose between classic safaris in Kenya or Botswana. Kenya offers affordable prices and a great selection of game drives plus horse-riding and walking safaris. If you want a challenge, how about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
India is one of the world’s great destinations. Take a private tour of Rajasthan with TransIndus or set off on a luxury tiger safari with Audley Travel. In winter you can expect mild comfortable temperatures of around 25ºC.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Argentina is an amazing country packed with treats, and it is at its best in the European winter. So is Brazil!
In America, you can track wolves in the wintry snows of Yellowstone National Park. Or if you prefer guaranteed sunshine head to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Experience cowboy cookouts at stunning scenery at the Grand Canyon Ranch Resort.
For something completely different, consider volunteering in a choice destinations that includes Costa Rica, Thailand, New Zealand and India. It’s a chance to combine unique travel experiences with voluntary work on a local community or wildlife project.
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