Pack your bags! If you’re hankering for a bit of winter fun-in-the-sun, here are 7 great winter getaway destinations.
We’ve tried to keep to a budget where two can go for a short break for around £500, but of course if you stay longer, take friends and family or pile on the extras you’ll break that barrier!
Malta
This Mediterranean island is packed with history, scenery and delicious food.
A succession of conquerors – Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British – have left their unique stamp on the island’s culture and architecture.
Valletta, Malta’s centuries-old capital city, is the jewel in the Maltese crown with its cobbled streets and elegant pavement cafés. Sliema, in the north-east, has boutique hotels and a lively promenade and further south there’s St Julians, packed with glamour around the yacht-filled harbour.
If you want to travel back in time, there are St. Paul’s Catacombs near Mdina where you can walk through the 3rd century underground tunnels.
Winter temperatures of around 16 degrees centigrade are perfect for sightseeing.
Flight times from the UK of around 3 hours make this a great getaway destination. Top resorts include Bugibba, Mellieha Bay and Marfa Bay. Or catch a ferry for the smaller, quieter islands of Gozo and Comina.
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• Island Life Malta
Crete
Our favourite Greek island – although we’ve not been to them all, yet – packed with unique history, Minoan treasures and mythology.
Crete’s great for family friendly holidays, group getaways and romantic retreats.
It’s an island where mountains and hiking trails rub shoulders with neon-lit clubs and water parks.
Winter temperatures are around 10 degrees centigrade, much colder in the mountains, so not the best for a beach break, but perfect for walking, touring, sightseeing and shopping.
Flights from UK airports take around 4 hours, but there’s not much choice early in the year, so best to wait until March. Daytime temperatures begin to rise then too.
Top resorts include Malia for parties, Hersonissos for beach style and Rethymnon for exploring the harbour and Old Town. Or you could head to the east and holiday near Agios Nikolaos.
Cyprus
We’ve always been rewarded with beautifully warm early spring days when visiting Cyprus (not counting our side trip into the Troodos mountains!)
Like most Mediterranean islands, it can be changeable and chilly, but there are plenty of sunny days and some spectacular sunsets.
Plus, it’s the perfect time for wildlife. The famous pink flamingoes return to the salt lakes of Lanarca and Limmassol in January and the ancient sites are almost deserted – it’ll be just you, the ruins and the birds!
Flight time from the UK is around 5 hours. Top resorts include Paphos, Larnaca and Ayia Napa.
Canary Islands
To get guaranteed sunshine in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter months, you have to travel a bit further. And that costs more.
But you can still get a great deal on a short break to Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote or Gran Canaria if sun, sand and water slides are what you need.
You’ll also get lunar-like landscapes and dramatic cliffs, lush green valleys and ancient forests. Plus, on Tenerife you can climb the highest peak in Spain – Mount Teide, a World Heritage site.
Winter temperatures hover around the 20 degrees centigrade mark – and hotel pools are heated!
Flight time from the UK is around 4 hours. Top resorts include Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, Costa Teguise, Lanzarote and Playa Del Ingles on Gran Canaria.
Madeira
Mainland Portugal is lovely in winter, but may be a little cool for those seeking warmth. But Madeira could be just what you’re looking for. And its small size also makes it an ideal short break destination.
Culturally European, it is geographically African with a subtropical climate where temperatures reach the low 20s centigrade, even in January.
It’s not a beach-lover’s destination but is perfect for hiking, spectacular views and wonderful food. And, of course, you can sample the fortified wine the island is famous for – have some Madeira, m’dear.
Flight time from the UK is just under 4 hours. Top tourist areas are the capital, Funchal, Ponta Do Sol, and Calheta Beach.
Check out loveholidays excellent guide to getting the best out of your stay on the island.
Turkey
Not the sunniest of winter destinations and the weather’s changeable until March, but there’s so much stunning scenery and exciting cities to explore that you won’t notice the odd rainy day.
Turkey combines the Middle East and the Mediterranean, from miles of beautiful coastline in the south, to the historic sites of the west via the bustling streets of Istanbul.
With mountains, rivers and canyons, Turkey is much more than a beach paradise. You can walk the Lycian Way along the coast while the mountainous national parks are great for more adventurous activities, including spectacular hot air balloon flights
Temperatures can be anything from 13 degrees to 24 degrees centigrade, so pack for all eventualities.
Non-stop flights from the UK to Turkey are around 4 hours. Popular regions include Bodrum, Antalya and Dalaman.
Majorca
Say hello to action-packed resorts, rugged mountain peaks, lush countryside, more than 200 beaches, and year-round sunshine.
Winter temperatures don’t go much above 15 degrees centigrade, but rainy days are rare.
From its pine-clad mountains to the vineyards of the central plains, Majorca’s landscape is as diverse as it is beautiful.
While some resorts are lively party spots, others are more suited to couples and families. And the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is a draw for adventurers looking for activities from rock climbing to forest hiking.
Flight times from the UK are a little over 2 hours. Top resorts are Magaluf, Alcudia and Palma for city breaks.
So what’s your favourite winter getaway destination? Is it still a bargain?
Where to next?
• How to get the best out of an all-inclusive holiday
• Escape the British winter
• Best UK winter beaches