The world’s top winter sun locations provide more than just steady sunshine and pleasant weather. Some are incredibly family-friendly, like Dubai and South Africa. Some desert islands, like Cyprus and the Maldives, have nailed the sensation of being on a desert island. Here, you can choose to do a lot of things to do, like diving, gallery hopping, yoga, boat cruises, or nothing at all. For the slightly more daring sun seeker, Bali and the Canary Islands are waiting.
Want to replace the snowy winters with sunny, sandy beaches? Here are the finest locations to visit between November and February to top off that crucial vitamin D.
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The Maldives
The Maldives can be visited at any time. Going to the Maldives at any time is never a terrible idea. Whichever you choose, they are all ideal little islands: little beach islets fit for a castaway fantasy, most of which have a single spotless resort with varying degrees of splendour. Even those who anticipate getting bored in the Maldives end up falling in love with the islands. They’re great for families and hard to top for a blissed-out beachy paradise. And the British winter, which is only 10 hours away, is when they perform at their finest.
Cyprus
Even though Cyprus is located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, which may get chilly in the winter, the island has plenty of sunshine all year long, so it’s likely that you’ll be able to wear a T-shirt there. The island’s flowers begin to blossom in March, and hardly anybody else is around. Given that it’s not far from the UK and that there are many family-friendly hotels there, it’s a fantastic choice for families as well.
Dubai
Dubai is an easy choice if you want year-round sunlight, immaculate beaches, and superb service close by. A wide range of things to do in Dubai is offered to all ages. Family vacations are ideal at The Palm, a man-made stretch of beaches lined with excellent hotels, each with its own spotless stretch of sand. The Old Souk is a maze of sparkling jewellery and pottery, and the serene Dubai Creek offers a glimpse of life before the seven-star hotels and indoor ski slopes.
Downtown Dubai is not all glass and shopping malls. The Al Quoz and Dubai Design Districts are two brand-new creative neighbourhoods that have caught the eye of the world’s art community. Go in November when it’s not too humid, so you may enjoy a day of tanning by the pool and see the city in its best light.
Bali
Bali is an island paradise with earthly delights. Bali has created a distinct style of clean and modern, dark wood, and linen whites as a result of its back-to-blissed-out spa resorts, which are of such high quality. Parties range from flip-flop full-moon celebrations in secluded coves to the hip Potato Head Beach Club and The Lawn in Canggu, the bohemian beach destination that’s the talk of the town. Glamping is now available here, as are fashionable shops.
Ubud has artistic works. Spas can be found almost anywhere. Beaches exist, of course. The pools here are also unique; they are a sophisticated, jungly deep green that is covered in tropical foliage. Those breathtaking lakes on the horizon, perched above the jungle, are typical of Bali.
California
California is one of the sunniest US states, with warm winters, little rainfall, and lots of sunshine, especially in the south. Its moniker, “The Golden State,” is apt. A convertible rental and a trip down the Pacific Coast Road make for a traditional American road vacation. From Leggett to Malibu via State Route 1, 550 miles are covered. The route is recognised for its breathtaking views for a large portion of its length, but the best part is the stretch from San Francisco to Monterey and San Simeon to San Luis Obispo (when the road drifts inland), even if the terrain is wilder and less travelled north of San Francisco. If you want to be near the ocean, try to travel south.
South Africa
South Africa may be in a different hemisphere, but it shares the same time zone as the UK, so there won’t be any jet lag. There are magnificent landscapes, spectacular beaches, top-notch wines, and delectable cuisine in Cape Town and elsewhere. The magnificent Garden Route is the most renowned shoreline in the nation.
A road trip across the Western Cape, though, is a worthwhile alternative to going the opposite way, and the weather is especially pleasant in December and January. Wide beaches, excellent dining options, melancholy waters near Africa’s southernmost point, and a breathtaking coastal reserve that not even the locals are aware of can be found on the less-travelled Overberg Coast.
Canary Islands
In the Canaries, where year-round average temperatures range from the low to mid-20s, summer lasts all year. Along with the well-known locations like Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote (shown), there are three smaller islands, La Palma, El Hierro, and La Gomera, that receive less traveller traffic and are less developed. They provide opportunities for exciting exploration and winter sunshine because they are not on the mental world map of the typical British tourist.
