There’s simply no disputing it: whether you’re an exam-taking teen, a sniffling flu victim or a Dry January detoxer, winter in Britain is rubbish. Luckily help — or rather heat — is at hand.
Because sure you could go to a spa or have a good meal, but nothing lifts the spirits more dramatically than a week’s worth of sunshine. We outline the perfect options below — from the long-haul likes of Miami (cruising past alligators), Sri Lanka (touring tea plantations) and Cape Verde (doing precisely zilch) to closer-to-home options such as Madeira and the Canary Islands. There’s also the Caribbean and southeast Asia, while the Gambia offers affordability allied to the absence of jet lag. Here’s our pick of the best places to catch some winter sun.
Average winter temperature 23C
Meet the Middle East at its most varied and most laid-back. A tour of Oman can incorporate oasis-like towns and the Wahiba Sands’ shape-shifting dunes where authentic Bedouin homestays or camel rides await. Experience leafy, sandalwood-scented valleys, the Jebel Akhdar mountains and their great canyons, whale shark diving off the Musandam Peninsula and the capital Muscat, where marvellous mosques and frankincense-selling souks give way to luxury yet affordable beachside hotels like the Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat. There’s lots to see — and you’ll probably get a tan while taking it all in.
Average winter temperature 22C
As South Africa’s beautiful cultural metropolis is just two hours ahead of the UK, jet lag is unlikely. Ideal as there’s much for visitors to do in Cape Town: be it climbing or riding the cable car up Table Mountain, spotting penguins at Boulders Beach, exploring Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island or touring the V&A Waterfront’s museums and restaurants. Vintners litter the nearby Cape Winelands, while many holidays are extended to encompass a world-class safari and the glorious Garden Route. For cool and a convenient location, try the leafy and arty Dorp hotel on Signal Hill.
Average winter temperature 19C
Much nearer Africa than Europe, the Spanish-overseen Canary Islands make for a reliable winter sun holiday. While the better known Lanzarote and Tenerife remain busy, Fuerteventura offers a nice balance; it’s certainly not deathly quiet or shut up but nor will you encounter those other isles’ heaving crowds. That’s true of the sandy, surfy shores peppering its south (and sunniest) coast and of its wild, desert-style interior. As laid-back as its name suggests, Costa Calma specialises in terrific sunsets; you can view them from the landscaped gardens and designer sunbeds of Hotel Taimar.
Average winter temperature 27C
With plenty of sunshine constantly on offer, practically any time of year is good for a tan-topping Maldives break. The European winter is an especially savvy time to head to this immaculate Indian Ocean archipelago of white-sand islands and palm-lined atolls. That’s because it’s unlikely to be at all wet and therefore ideal for snorkelling, one of the great pursuits here. The others — such as yoga, scuba diving and canoeing — are all available too. The relatively affordable Bandos island resort is ringed by a house reef enabling snorkelling straight from shore.
Average winter temperature 30C
Normally appended to the end of a trip featuring national parks Lake Manyara, Tarangire or the famous Serengeti, Zanzibar’s tropical climate includes a short dry season in January and February. While leaving time to explore the Moorish architecture and spice-scented alleys of atmospheric centre of Stone Town, you’ll mainly want to spend sunny days blissing out on the main island’s bone-white beaches, enjoying water sports or boarding white-sailed dhows for romantic castaway-style picnics. All plunge pools and overwater cabanas, the beachside Melia Zanzibar pairs seclusion with proximity to Stone Town.
Average winter temperature 28C
St Lucia’s northwest has the sunning Rodney Bay beach but it’s still not as spellbinding as this Caribbean island’s quieter southwest. Down there, above the enchanting old colonial-style town of Soufriere, loom the pointy Pitons: two rainforest-covered volcanic cones that hikers can conquer. Also in the vicinity are easy waterfall walks, hot springs, a protected marine reserve and some especially romantic coves. January and drier February’s refreshing trade winds make them the perfect times to explore. Facing the Pitons from its jungle-like estate, above a beach and that marine reserve, Anse Chastanet delivers a spa and impressive cuisine.
Average winter temperature 21C
With the mercury likely to exceed 40C in summer, winter is decidedly the best time to visit the Middle East’s most glamorous city. Trips to Dubai might include abra boat rides along the Dubai Creek, photo-snapping from the record-breaking Burj Khalifa’s 125th floor or thrills inside IMG Worlds of Adventure. Don’t miss the shopping malls — raised to an art form here, they feature aquariums and entire VR parks — and sandy beaches along the three artificial Palm islands. Tennis courts, kids’ clubs and flexible restaurants help family-friendly Le Royal Meridien stand out from the beachside hotel crowd.
