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 and North Cyprus (where prices are low because it’s outside the Eurozone).

Egypt has a perfect winter climate and Tunisia is good value with superb beaches, friendly people, great food and excellent deals. Following the events of 2011, both destinations are now safe for visitors. For holidays to Egypt and Cyprus we recommend Planet Holidays.

We also love 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.

A little further afield, you can get some great deals on the coast of Kenya. Although the flight is not cheap to Thailand, the cost of living is great value so if you are staying for any length of time you can make good savings.

If you know which month you plan to travel, see Best Time to Visit. Also see our holiday weather guide.

See more cheap holiday destinations around the world. And more winter sun holidays.

– David and Mark

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