Best places for winter sun

Cape Verde

Head to Cape Verde and explore this group of 10 islands floating off of the west coast of Africa. coastline. Two of the most popular spots are Sal and Boa Vista, which both flaunt miles of sandy beach. Make the most of the laidback seaside lifestyle with surfing, whale watching, and cobbled towns lined with traditional restaurants.

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Gran Canaria

This Canary Island is one of the UK’s favourite destinations for a winter sun holiday, and for good reason. Temperatures in Gran Canaria sit above 20C all year round, making it one of the warmest places to visit in the Canary Islands. Plus, your winter break is only a four-hour flight away, so you’ll be relaxing on the beaches of Maspalomas and making a splash in the island’s family-friendly waterparks before you know it.

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Maldives

The Maldives are known as the Indian Ocean’s honeymoon hotspot. But, regardless of whether you’ve just tied the knot, the UK’s winter months in the UK are the ideal time to visit this group of islands, made of 26 atolls, as you can really enjoy the toasty temperatures. Plus, there’s the world-class scuba diving and snorkelling scene, which shows off the region’s brightly coloured coral reefs. Stay in water villas with infinity views of the sea, and flop on palm-tree-lined sand.

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Thailand

Thailand’s tropical climate makes it perfect for a winter break. And, there’s loads to do. In the north of the country you’ll find national parks home to wild elephants, while the islands in the south offer everything from all-night parties to jungle 4x4 rides and Buddhist temples. If you’re a beach lover, head to Koh Samui – the island’s biggest draw is its powder-soft beaches. 

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Costa Rica

Holidays to Costa Rica have it all – exotic wildlife, simmering volcanoes, and rainforest adventures. Plus, there’s plenty of sunshine. The country’s winter temperatures are only a couple of degrees below their summer ones, so if you’re after heat, there’s never a bad time to visit. And, while Costa Rica might be famous for its jungle interior, it’s got long sweeps of beach up for grabs, too. You’ll find that its west coast, lapped by the Pacific Ocean, is great for surfing.

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Ready for things to heat up?

Take a look at our holiday deals and for more on these destinations, find out which Canary Island you should visit, the top 10 things to do in Sal, Cape Verde, and what to do in the Maldives.

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Author: Lizzie Butler