Hot Winter Sun Holidays
Fancy swapping slippers by the fireside for flips flops on the beach?
Baby, it’s cold outside, so where can we go for some sunshine?
At this time of year, everyone is moaning about grey skies, the lack of sunshine and how cold it is. If you’re thinking of Christmas on the beach or New Year sipping cocktails by the pool, there are some ideal places you can do just that.
Some people I’ve spoken to about winter holidays had mixed views, especially ones that involve being overseas for the big day. They said they’d feel it wasn’t Christmas if they weren’t in a winter jumper and a Santa hat. What do you think? Is it an indulgence to be soaking up the sun on the Saviour’s day or is it a real treat to spend Christmas on tropical, distant shores? I don’t think you’d need to worry about not feeling Christmassy just because you’re not pulling crackers at home. You can still don your party hat on the beach!
So, will you stop dreaming of a white Christmas and swap the sleet for some sun, sea and sand?
Why not ditch those winter woollies, dig out the Factor 30, and jet off to sunnier climes like these hot picks…
Dubai, UAE
Fancy a sun-soaked glitzy Christmas in Dubai? Thought you might.
Dubai is becoming a favourite holiday hotspot all year-round but escaping to this exotic, millionaires’ playground in the UAE in winter is a no brainer. You’ll be guaranteed glorious sunshine but with temperatures hovering between 21-26 degrees, it’s more bearable than the blistering heat of the summer months. Going now will be ideal for sight-seeing – and there’s plenty to see yet still warm enough for a bit of sunbathing or a nice refreshing dip in the pool.
You can top up your tan while your mates are scraping ice off their cars.
Plus, if you’re going to be here over the festive period, you’ll find many of the international hotels decked out in their seasonal finery with huge Christmas trees so you can still enjoy some festive cheer.
Check out some of the fabulous Dubai hotels you can stay in with Kuoni
Maldives
How about a taste of paradise in the Indian Ocean?
Sugar white sandy beaches fringed with lush palm trees and turquoise twinkling waters. The Maldives are the stuff dreams are made of. If you are looking for a big, fun resort to cater for the whole clan, LUX* North Male Atoll and LUX* South Ari Atoll have recently launched a new series of family programmes. There’s loads of fabulous stuff going on for kids, teens and adults alike and with an average of eight hours of sunshine every day, you’ll be able to pack in plenty of fun in the sun, forgetting it’s even winter at all.
Cancun, Mexico
Ok, so there’s no chance of a white Christmas here – unless you count the sand! But that’s not what you came for. You want to catch some rays while everyone back home shivers, right? December to April is the best time to visit Cancun. Temperatures average around 24*C with highs of 28*C. It might be a little cooler in the evenings though so pop a cardi in your case. TUI have some good deals on the go for winter holidays in Cancun.
Canary Islands
Still one of the best short haul destinations are the Canaries. These sun-drenched Spanish islands have been luring sun-starved winter holidaymakers for decades and not too far to travel from the UK.
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are perfect year-round holiday destinations. Despite being the coolest month in the calendar, the temperatures still hover around the 17-20*C mark so still quite nice for the time of year.
Check out the winter package deals available from Jet2
I’ve not decided if a Christmas getaway is for me yet or if building Frosty the Sandman has got quite the same ring to it? What I do know is that spending my January birthday in any one of these sun-kissed places sounds just grand. January is a bleak month and I would love to jet off then. Maybe Santa will leave me something nice in my stocking – I’m sure he knows how to book an airline ticket.
Are you spending Christmas somewhere hot and exotic or are you happy at home with a box of Ferrero Rocher and the EastEnders Christmas special?
If you’re beachside this Christmas, tweet us your pics!
@tripsology
I love travel. I’ve been fascinated by other countries and cultures since my first foreign trip in 1985 and I’ve had serious wanderlust ever since.I also love to write about where I’ve been and tripsology lets me indulge that passion. I’m thrilled to be a regular contributor and editor. When I’m not writing I also run my own PR and publicity company.