Cheap winter sun: Ask the experts

Q. Where can I find cheap winter sun without flying half way round the world?

A. Your best bet for an off-season tan within easy reach of home shores is one of the Egyptian Red Sea resorts. Flights from the UK take less than 5 hours.

We’re also huge fans of The Gambia on the west coast of Africa: it’s just a 6-hour flight from the UK and has great beaches, friendly locals, charming hotels and fabulous wildlife.

Other options for cheap winter sun include Tenerife and its fellow Canary Islands (4-5hrs). One of our favourite islands is the little-known La Palma, which is great for walking, culture and quiet beaches.

The Aegean coast of Turkey has a very long season, as does Malta, Crete and North Cyprus. A little further afield, Egypt has superb winter weather. We recommend a Nile cruise.

Tunisia is good value with superb beaches, friendly people, great food and excellent deals. We also recommend Marrakech, which combines great weather with cultural treasures and fascinating street life. Alternatively, head for the south of France, which we love out of season.

– David and Mark

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