Here are the best winter-sun destinations to consider right now, from tropical islands to short-haul sunshine
As summer bids farewell to the northern hemisphere and we’re forced to dust off the autumn and winter-wear, our minds soon turn to glitzy winter sun destinations. The havens that offer an extension to our summer highs and another chance to don swimwear rather than shaggy coats, where time slows down as our skin soaks up that extra dose of vitamin D. As our star favours Earth’s southerly stretches between November and March, there’s somewhere for every type of sun-seeking traveller. The Maldives are at their best, with families and honeymooners frolicing in the shallow, baby blue Indian Ocean between indulgent spa treatments, sundowners and seafood suppers. November to February is the best time to visit Thailand’s majestic islands for guaranteed sunshine, from the buzzy shores of Koh Samui to the quiet corners of Koh Lanta – its neighbour, Vietnam, is an equally enticing option. However, discovering sunny shores as the morning frost settles back home needn’t always involve long-haul journeys or connecting flights. There are a handful of countries that sizzle throughout winter. Expect to wear little more than a light jacket come evenings in Malta, plunge into the azure Mediterranean courtesy of Cyprus’ extended summer, or escape to the Canary Islands for sunbathing with a slice of adventure, should you choose. From remote, tropical lands and junglescapes to cities that bask in a golden winter light that soothes the soul, these are the best winter sun destinations around the world.
Cyprus
Flight time: 4 hours 30 minutes from London
When to go: March–May; October–November
Average winter temperature: 22°C
When Europe starts shivering, Cyprus continues to bask in golden rays. Even many of the seasonal hotels stay open into November, when the average high temperature in Limassol sits at a balmy 23°C. The eastern Mediterranean island’s climate feels defiant in December and January, too, when days are bright and warm enough to lunch al fresco with little more than a light jacket. Its southerly position is a blessing, but as summers in the Med get increasingly hotter, many travellers look to the shoulder seasons and into the winter months to escape the crowds that swarm the spectacular beaches in July and August. The cooler months are great for exploring – there’s no denying ancient amphitheatres and mountain ranges can lose their appeal when the peak summer temperatures exceed 40°C.
Where to stay: Minthis is the ultimate island country-estate, buried in silvered olive groves and sweetly perfumed citrus orchards, just 20 minutes from Paphos. There’s an 18-hole golf course, a panoply of spacious suites and blissfully private villas, and a mountain-view spa for some indulgent R&R. For a trip with little ones in tow, look no further than Almyra, where children are wonderfully catered for while parents lounge under bougainvillaea, swirling later afternoon wines while clutching their books.
Click here to read the article in the Condé Nast Traveller.