Where to go on holiday in January

beach holidays in January winter sun holidays 2012

By Mark Hodson, Sunday Times Travel Writer and Editor of 101 Holidays

Looking for great holiday ideas this winter? Here, we explain where to go on holiday in January.

Mid haul sunshine

If your priority is just to escape the grim weather at home, we recommend Tenerife and Egypt’s Red Sea resorts for winter sun holidays 2012. Both are between 4 and 5 hours flying time from the UK and offer near-guaranteed sunshine, even in January. In Tenerife, we particularly recommend the ABAMA Golf & Spa Resort.

Tunisia is also a great option for sun close to home – however the weather is better in the south of the country. The north, including the capital, Tunis, can be distinctly chilly in January.

It’s only 7 hours to fly to the Arabian Gulf where you’ll find great beaches, buckets of sunshine and a dazzling array of attractions. For glitzy hotels, fine dining and amazing shopping, head to Dubai, while neighbouring Oman is the place to go for cultural treats, desert adventures, visits to forts, mosques, remote beaches and mountains.

Beach holidays in January

We recommend The Gambia for a cheap holiday in January. This charming, low-cost beach destination on the West African coast has improved greatly in recent years in terms of its hotels. Check out the latest deals.

Another good-value option is the Cape Verde islands, a diverse archipelago between West Africa and South America, but easily accessible by direct flights from the UK (in less than 6 hours). With temperatures of 24C in January, superb beaches and excellent choice of hotels, this is a great up-and-coming destination. View the latest special offers.

Bali is a great destination for winter sun, with stunning beaches and fascinating colourful local culture. Thailand is a perennial favourite and remains great value, although you should avoid the east coast in January, the rainy season. Phuket is better.

If you’re ready to splash out on a tropical island, we could think of nowhere nicer to be in January than a spa hotel in Mauritius, an overwater villa in the Maldives or gorgeous a beach hideaway in the Seychelles.

Luxury tours in January

The mountains of Nepal look spectacular in January and you can embark on a gentle trek as part of a one-in-a-lifetime tour. There is plenty more to Nepal than Himalayas with ancient cities, pagodas, temples and national parks. This 10-day Magic of Nepal tour is a perfect introduction.

January is also a great month to explore Southeast Asia. Immerse yourself in the history, culture and culinary joys of Malaysia or Vietnam. Or explore the ancient temples of Angkor in Cambodia.

Experienced travellers should considering going the extra mile for a bespoke tour of Burma, one of the world’s hidden tourist gems.

India also has an abundance of great holiday adventures with comfortable temperatures around 25C. We recommend The Serai, a luxury desert camp near Jaisalmer, or a tour of Northern India and Rajasthan. You will also find some interesting wildlife holidays in India, including tiger safaris.

You’ll find plenty of wildlife in Africa. Head to Kenya for a safari holiday to see the Big Five, or choose from a huge selection of trips whether you want game drives, walking safaris or to test yourself with a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro.

It’s middle of the summer in South America where Brazil and Argentina are two of the world’s most exciting and diverse nations. We recommend Dehouche, a locally-based tour company, which knows all the best places to stay and put together an itinerary to fit your personal needs.

Healthy holidays

Many people in January want to shrug off the excesses of the Christmas period and take a healthy break. If so, we can recommend some excellent specialist companies. We love in:spa’s health and fitness retreats, or you could take a fitness break in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

Another great way to relax and get re-energised is on a yoga holiday. In Thailand, Chiva-Som is one of the world’s leading spa hotels.

Or head to the Caribbean where The Bodyholiday, LeSPORT reopened in September 2011 after a $20million refurbishment. It offers an all inclusive beach holiday with a programme of healthy activities and rejuvenating treatments all in the price.

A volunteering holiday could be good for your mental and spiritual health. Specialist operator Hands Up Holidays offers a range of destinations including Costa Rica, Thailand, New Zealand and India. You will combine unforgettable travel experiences with a chance to make a real contribution to a local community project.

Cool winter holidays

Holidays in January are not just about sun seeking. You could go north to discover natural wonders and wilderness. One of the most exciting winter trips is to see the Northern Lights. The next two winters will offer more spectacular – and reliable – displays than in recent years, according to Nasa. Find a great selection of Northern Lights trips.

Every year in Sweden the Ice Hotel is built from huge chunks of ice. It’s a special place to stay and includes one night wrapped in reindeer skins on an ice bed (not as bad as it sounds!). You can fortify yourself with vodka shots first in the ice bar.

The city of St Petersburg in Russia is never more beautiful than when snow is piled high on the pavements and there is skating on frozen rivers.

This is also best time of year to head south to Antarctica. If you enjoyed the BBC’s Frozen Planet TV series how about an expedition cruise on a small ship that allows you close to penguins, seals and whales – and be wowed by the gorgeous silent icy wilderness.

Caribbean holidays in January

Also, the Caribbean is great for beach holidays in January: the weather is sublime and after the peak season of Christmas and New Year, prices are very reasonable. We particularly like Barbados for restaurants and social buzz, and great hotels including the intimate Cobblers Cove, the adult-only The House and the action-packed Almond Beach Village.

The Cayman Islands, Tobago and Jamaica all combine great beaches with gentle activities. The Caymans are particularly good for diving. Jamaica has lots of sights, while Tobago has a lovely small-town laid back atmosphere. Grenada is a wonderful, under-rated island: we like the Calabash Hotel and Laluna.

St Lucia is a gorgeous, friendly island that combines lush countryside, volcanic peaks and charming fishing villages with world-class hotels. We particularly like Smugglers Cove Resort & Spa, and the couples-only Rendezvous.

Cuba is great value and offers a unique combination of world-class beaches and a fascinating local culture and history. It’s a perfect multi-centre destination – you should stay for a few days in the capital, Havana, where we recommend this luxury hotel, combined with the sleepy colonial city of Trinidad and the stunning beaches of Cayo Ensenachos.

Mexico has great beaches with deals in January. Stay in a boutique hacienda or a lavish hotel such as Dreams Tulum or Dreams Riviera Resort & Spa.

Or splash out on the Sandals Royal Plantation in Jamaica (see the latest special offers). You could also embark on a tall ship cruise of the Caribbean with Star Clippers.

See David Wickers’ selection of the best Caribbean holidays.

Ski holidays

No article about holidays in January would be complete with a mention of skiing. For a great-value break on the slopes, choose one of these chalet holidays – and check here for late deals.

For a family ski trip, we recommend Esprit Ski for their exceptional childcare, while Peak Retreats is an award-winning operator that specialises in budget ski holidays in top French resorts. Luxury skiing can be found in Verbier at The Lodge, Verbier.

See more winter holidays 2012. Not sure about the weather? Find out where is hot in January.

Try our holiday quiz

If you’re still stuck for ideas, why not try our fun holiday quiz. Answer 10 easy questions like the one below to find out what kind of holidaymaker you are, and get personalised travel recommendations. Try the quiz now.