It’s that time of year when the cold nights may have left you feeling a little deflated – and you might in need of some winter sun.
While most people jet away in summer or later in the year, it could be smarter to save your money and get away post Christmas. Many enjoy city breaks or ski trips, but if you’re craving a bit of vitamin D then booking a holiday in one of these five destinations might be a good idea.
Popular price comparison site Skyscanner shared its top recommended locations for anyone looking for some winter sun. First up is Cape Town in South Africa where temperatures reach highs of 26C around this time of year. The city gets nearly 11 hours of sunlight per day.
Plus, there are many events and cultural celebrations which take place at this time. The beautiful winelands are in full bloom so you will get a stunning backdrop for wine tastings and dining. Winery tours are fun to do while in Cape Town, as well as water activities, shopping, enjoying the night life or going on a safari.
Skyscanner reports flights to and from Cape Town are around £390.
Another popular destination Skyscanner recommends for a winter sun break is Tenerife in Spain. Temperatures are not quite as hot as Cape Town, but you will still experience higher temperatures than the UK at 20C and plenty of sunshine.
Tenerife is also an affordable options; holiday goers can get cheap flights to the holiday destination. Ryanair is currently listing flights to Tenerife from Birmingham, Stansted, Manchester and Bristol for this month for £17.99 or less. Plus as January is out of tourist season you can often find cheaper hotels at this time.
You can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, including the Roques de García Circuit Trail and Mirador de la Ruleta. You can also visit Punta de Teno for a sunset light show. You’ll find the warmest weather in the south around the Playa de La Americas area, Los Cristianos, Los Gigantes and Playa Santiago.
Another place that will help you get your vitamin D fix is Bail in Indonesia. You can pack your swimming costume or trunks and expect to come back with a tan as temperatures reach highs of 31C in January.
Skyscanner says you can get there and return flights to Denspasar International Airport from £412. Flights are available from London City, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow airports, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Cardiff. But even if you find the flight to be an expense, Bali accommodation and food and drink are cheap. A pint of beer is a a maximum of £4.
Fun things to do include a visit to Asia’s top waterpark, Nusa Penida island, sacred monkey forest sanctuary, Tanah Lot Temple and Mount Batur.
If you fancy some Italian cuisine and sightseeing, a great spot is Palermo in Sicily. While you won’t get bikini weather, you can escape the UK cold and enjoy 15C temperatures. The area is great if you’re looking to indulge in culture and tourism. It is a city rich in history, art, music and food and could be the perfect way to start the new year.
The good news is flights there and back to Palermo are cheap – Skyscanner says prices start from £39. If you’re looking to go further afield, Nairobi, Kenya is warm at this time of year and you can experience 27C temperatures.
January and February is the best time to visit Kenya. The favourable weather at this time of year means that you can easily spot animals if you are planning on doing a safari. Other fun activities include visiting the Karen Blixen museum, Karuara Forest and shopping a Village Market.
For more information on hot holidays at this time of year, visit the Skyscanner website for more information.
Have you visited any of these winter sun spots? Comment below.