Winter sun holidays

Winter sun holidays 2012 Winter sun destinations 2012 cheap winter sun holidays

By Mark Hodson and David Wickers, Sunday Times Travel writers

In the whole, wide world of travel there’s nothing to quite match the excitement of taking off from the UK on a miserable winter’s day, leaving the sun still struggling to get out of bed, and just a few hours later finding yourself on a tropical beach.

To many travellers, winter sun holidays have become an even higher priority than the traditional summer jaunt to the Med. But long lazy days spent simply loafing on a tropical beach are not necessarily our only temptation. Here is our pick of the best winter sun destinations for 2012.

The Gambia

Most visitors to The Gambia hover on the 25 miles of beach, with comfortable hotels, lots of restaurants and a scattering of craft markets. But turn inland and you’ll enter into a living diorama of raw and real Africa, with 4WD trips to mud brick villages and rural schools easily arranged. The bird watching is brilliant, with 550 species on display, more per acre of land than any other country in the world, and the standard of accommodation is much improved with charming eco-lodges and luxury hotels such as the sumptuous Coco Ocean.

Egypt

In Egypt, the charming town of Luxor combines wonderful winters with outstanding cultural sites, topped by Karnak, the largest ancient monument in the world, and the Valley of the Kings. Then take a Nile cruise visiting several temples along the way. And if you can’t contemplate a winter sun holiday without chill-out time on a beach, add a few extra nights at a Red Sea resort. Short of time? Try a short break in Cairo.

Mexico

Mexico is great value for winter sun holidays. Cancun is the most popular resort for frost-bitten Brits but for a better sense of place turn south to the less developed, blinding white beaches in and around Playa del Carmen. You should also spend time exploring the interior; the Yucatan peninsula is home to magnificent Mayan sites, topped by Chichen Itza, as well as the Spanish colonial city of Merida. For divers the big draw is the island of Cozumel, first ‘discovered’ by Jacques Cousteau. There are many excellent five-star beach resorts, or you could stay in a small luxury hacienda. See the latest special offers.

Dubai and Oman

Lying less than seven hours from the UK, Dubai has scheduled flights from five UK airports, swift transfers on arrival and just a four-hour time difference. The so-called ‘Riviera of the Middle East’ spells virtually guaranteed sunshine, a white and wide sandy beach and a string of top hotels, most with kids’ clubs. There’s also golf, soft adventures in the desert, camel racing and shopping. For a cultural add-on, or a complete alternative, head to neighbouring Oman where you’ll find ancient forts, vast sand dunes and turtles nesting on beaches.

Florida

Apart from an occasional cold snap, capable of knocking the pips out of the oranges, Florida’s winter weather is mostly warm and sunny. Families will have to include Orlando or risk mutiny, ideally followed by days on the Gulf Coast at St Petersburg. A more exciting option for couples would be to combine two or three days in Miami’s hip South Beach with a drive – by convertible of course – down the Florida Keys to Hemingway’s beloved Key West, the funkiest town in the US. You can’t miss it – it’s right at the end of the road. See my top 10 holidays in America.

The Caribbean

The Caribbean is still the number one escape route from the rigours of British winter although competition from both Dubai and the Indian Ocean islands has been chipping away at its traditional monopoly. With only a week to spare the last thing you really want to do when you arrive is to faff around with connecting planes, so pick one of the islands such as Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada or Jamaica, at the end of a nonstop flight. See my pick of the best Caribbean holidays.

South Africa

With overnight flights in both directions and no jet lag, South Africa is even worth it for a weekend (head for Cape Town). But with a whole week to play with visitors to the aptly-named Rainbow Nation can effectively combine a spectrum of different holidays on the one trip, from the cultural rewards of cities and indigenous heritage to scenic attractions and vineyards, and from wildlife safaris to the idle treats of world class beaches. Try this classic self-drive holiday. See my pick of the best Africa holidays.

Mauritius

The hotels on Mauritius, with their armies of smiling, attentive staff, are among the best on the planet for two very different but highly intertwined amenities, spas and children’s clubs; the kids, therefore, will be entertained while you get lost in a dream of seaweed wraps and aromatic rubs. The weather in (our) winter is warm but prone to tropical downpours but these tend to be short and sharp rather than grey and drizzly and are unlikely to spoil the fun. Find the best family hotels in Mauritius and the latest special offers.

Thailand

A golden triangle of Thailand, blending cultural treasures with coastal pleasures, would start with Bangkok, home of the Grand Palace, the Golden Buddha and trips by long tailed boat along the lattice work of canals (or ‘klongs’), the 700 year old city of Chiang Mai, home to 300 temples as well as being the gateway for visiting the hill tribes of northern Thailand, each with its unique language, distinct customs and blend of beliefs, then Phuket or another island of your choice for a final flop on the sands. Spa fans should check out the gorgeous Chiva-Som resort.

Tenerife

One in every ten Brits bound for the promise of sun this winter will be in Tenerife, just a four hour, non-stop flight away. The island is packaged in hundreds of bundles, from cheap and cheerful to costly and classy. Aside from beaches, don’t miss a trip to the end of the world landscapes of the Las Canadas Teide national park, bang in the middle and dominated by the two mile high, Fuji-like volcano. Our favourite hotels include the Abama Golf & Spa Resort.

Kenya

You could just go to Kenya just for the soft, pearly white beaches which stretch for 300 miles of Indian Ocean coastline. But the relatively short flight time and minimal jetlag – it shares a time zone with Istanbul – makes a marriage of beach and bush even feasible for a week. Choose between this great selection of Kenya holidays and these family holidays in Kenya.

The Maldives

The Maldives are most dreamed about islands in the world. Unlike the Caribbean, there is little difference between one island and the next. All share the same natural template, of a low lying coral island with a deep green heart of palms fringed by a glaring white beach and surrounded by a lagoon of the most fabulous pale lime and azure. But the significant difference between lies in the resorts. Think of the Maldives as an archipelago of individual hotels rather than islands – everything from the stylish and funky W Retreat & Spa to the romantic hideaway of Soneva Gili by Six Senses. Families should head to the One&Only Reethi Rah. Honeymoons should see our sister site, 101 Honeymoons.

Australia

Although most of us would suffer from hypothermia at the mere thought of a dip in the sea on Christmas morning, enjoying a swim and a sunbathe on the beach before lunch epitomises the pleasure of spending our winter in Australia’s summer. And if turkey in the tropics doesn’t sound right you can always substitute a few king prawns tossed on the Barbie. Australia has its own golden triangle – Ayer’s Rock, the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Opera House, all of which can be easily combined into a two-week itinerary.

More winter sun destinations

If you’re looking for tropical beaches at bargain prices, take a look at the Cape Verde islands off the coast of West Africa. They offer stunning beaches, direct flights from the UK and exciting island-hopping itineraries. See the latest special offers.

More great-value beach holidays can be found in Sri Lanka. With good-quality hotels, great service and beautiful beaches, it’s tempting to spend your whole holiday on the coast. But you’ll also want to venture inland to discover some great cultural and wildlife sights. Families should check out these adventure holidays in Sri Lanka.

If you want only a short flight, head for Morocco – just 3 hours away. In the middle of winter the weather isn’t hot, but you can expect warm days and plenty of sunshine. This country of cultural riches and beautiful mountain and desert scenery has many fine hotels and riads. If time is short, take a short break in Marrakech.

South America offers a world of exciting possibilities from the beautiful beaches of Brazil to the elegant cities and stunning scenery of Argentina.

Find more cheap winter sun holidays.