If you’d like to escape the chill of the UK winter and head for somewhere warm and sunny, there’s a wealth of options to choose from. Here are some of the best winter sun destinations.
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands’ location in the Atlantic Ocean, close to the African coast, makes for a sub-tropical climate and year-round sunshine. It’s just a four-hour flight from the UK to reach the volcanic archipelago, and I’ve visited several times to escape the cold weather at home. The Canaries are a region of Spain, and the main islands are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Besides the beaches and coastal resorts, the islands have many cultural and natural attractions – a highlight is Tenerife’s Mount Teide volcano and the surrounding Timinfaya National Park.
Florida
The US state of Florida is known as the Sunshine State because of its year-round sunny weather. During the winter, temperatures are in the low 20s, with up to eight hours of sun a day. The city of Orlando in Florida is famous for its marvellous array of theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, but the state also offers a wealth of other attractions. It’s home to the Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex, as well as the 1.5 million-acre Everglades National Park. It also has 663 miles of beaches and more than 11,000 miles of rivers, streams and waterways.
Dubai
As it has a tropical desert climate, Dubai is hot all year round, with an average daytime temperature of 23 degrees during the winter months. Dubai has some splendid beaches, world-class shopping malls and enormous theme parks. The emirate is famous for its astonishing architectural creations, including the world’s tallest building, the tallest hotel, the largest shopping mall, a variety of man made islands, and even an indoor ski resort, complete with chair lift. Dubai offers a luxurious holiday experience which is just a seven-hour flight from London.
Caribbean
The weather is ideal in the Caribbean during the UK winter, as temperatures are generally 24 to 29 degrees all year round. The islands are known for their palm-fringed sandy beaches, and are a fantastic destination for diving, snorkelling, sailing and other water sports. Other popular activities in the Caribbean are wildlife spotting, hiking in the rain forest, and exploring the islands’ colonial history. The Caribbean is made up of 28 island nations across more than 7,000 islands, from vast Jamaica to tiny Anguilla, so there’s bound to be an island that’s just right for your trip.
Where’s your favourite winter sun destination? Wherever you go, be sure to take out adequate insurance cover for your travels. Our Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance is perfect for those who travel frequently with many features and benefits. Alternatively, our Single Trip insurance will provide you with all the cover you will need.
