Autumn is a beautiful season, but the colder temperatures and shortening days remind us that it’s going to be a long time until next summer!
That’s why this is a key time for people thinking about booking a short haul winter sun holiday. It’s not just about getting away from a British winter. After all, why should we restrict our sun-worshipping to just one season? The sun is still warm and welcoming in other places, and a bit of winter sun helps our mood and our health and wellbeing.
A lot of my clients book their winter sun travel to kick-start the new year, or to balance the very real effects of the cold and the dark.
So, let’s indulge in some ideas for beautiful, sun-drenched destinations that can top up your sunshine batteries. I’ve put together some of my favourite short haul destinations, including recommendations for places to stay, and feedback from delighted travellers – and as you know, I’m always happy to chat about your dream break, so I can put an itinerary together that perfectly meets your needs.
Top short-haul destinations
There’s nothing quite like that feeling when you get off the plane, straight into the warmth of the sun. And you can be there in around just 4 hours when you fly to some of these fabulous destinations:
Canary Islands
Many of my clients are regular sun-seekers to the Canary Islands, and it’s easy to see why. In fact, I have probably booked nearly every one of the islands at some point. So I can certainly advise on the right island and resort hotel for you as they do differ.
Temperatures are warm during our winter months, but not tropical. So you can hike, bike or just relax on the beach while soaking up plenty of vitamin D, and of course experience the great hospitality that keeps you coming back for more.
Madeira
A slightly shorter flight away from the UK is the gorgeous Portuguese island of Madeira. Winter daytime highs on the southern coast typically range from 18°C to 21°C, dropping to around 13°C at night. It’s a destination that always gets great feedback from travellers – largely because of the variety of landscapes.
“Tony organised a holiday in Madeira for our 40th wedding anniversary. He sorted absolutely everything for us – we had a beautiful room with stunning views and all the transfers and trips were sorted. It was a lovely touch having flowers and fizz left for our anniversary when we came back to our room. We truly had a very memorable and special holiday. Tony takes the stress out of sorting everything – he really is a star!”
There are beautiful beaches for soaking up the sun, stunning mountain and park areas for walking and cycling, and great golf courses. Madeira is also famous for its delicious cuisine, including traditional dishes like espetada (skewered meat) and bolo do caco (traditional bread). And let’s not forget the Madeira wine! I love Madeira and certainly have a few favourite hotels on the island that I can share.
The Algarve
You may associate the Algarve with summer holidays, but it’s a great winter destination too. Longer daylight hours, beautiful coastlines, traditional towns and a mild climate makes it a great choice – whether you want to cycle, walk, take in some watersports, or just potter around the shops and restaurants. And of course, there’s the golf – in my opinion it’s the perfect place for a week of warmer golfing.
“Tony helped us organise our first villa holiday to Portugal, with our twins in tow. The location was absolutely perfect, child friendly, very clean and close to the beach. Tony was so helpful from start to finish, answering lots of questions and assisting with a last-minute issue. Fantastic service. Thank you!”
Malta
If you’ve never been to the Mediterranean island of Malta, I’d urge you to add it to your winter sun list. It’s a hidden gem, with a unique blend of history, culture and landscape. You’ll get mild weather and a completely different environment than the UK – the island’s capital, Vallette, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. And of course, you can also pop over to Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister island, which is ideal if you love exploring nature. Go on, give it a go!
Cyprus
Cyprus has always been a favourite for UK travellers, and I often book trips in the UK’s colder months, so that my clients can get a splash of winter sun. I’ve been to Cyprus several times and so I have lots of hotel and private stay recommendations, alongside experiences that will help you get the very most from your visit. Whether you’re after historical monuments and unspoilt beaches or lively nightlife and a party vibe, we can find it for you in Cyprus.
Book your winter sun holiday with Travel Tony
“Another family holiday booked by Travel Tony, this time Paphos in Cyprus. The Athena Beach Hotel was an amazing find – we had adjoining family rooms, there was no fighting for sun beds, the food was just incredible and evening sundowner drinks on the rooftop terrace was the icing on the cake. Thank you, Tony, as always for booking another brilliant holiday for us”
If you’d like a hassle-free winter sun holiday, contact me for a chat. I can suggest destinations, resorts and activities, all based on my experience and relationships with resorts and suppliers across all winter sun destinations. I’ll work with you to put your perfect itinerary together, and all you have to do is pack and find your passport!
As a Personal Travel Consultant, I am able to organise fantastic holidays all over the world that are completely ABTA and ATOL protected. Also being part of the Hays Travel Group, I have the backing and resource of the largest independent travel group in the UK – meaning great service and prices!