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If you’re ready to swap the frost and drizzle for sunshine and blue skies, there are plenty of great winter destinations that promise warmth on your skin and a welcome break from the UK’s gloom.
Whether you’re after beach bliss in the Caribbean or Indian Ocean, a mix of sunshine and exploring in Thailand or Vietnam, or a wildlife adventure in Costa Rica or Malaysia, there’s a destination for you. Here are some of our favourite places for the winter months…
If it’s all about the beach and you want it tropical…
Caribbean: The Caribbean makes a great winter sun escape and is just a 10 hour flight from the UK. With warm temperatures and clear seas from November to April, it’s the ideal time to unwind on soft white sands. Island-hopping multi-centres such as our Antigua, St Lucia & Barbados itinerary offer a mix of volcanic scenery with beautiful beaches and excellent dining, while our Tobago, Trinidad & Grenada multi-centre holiday promises a slower pace and a more unspoilt feel.
Indian Ocean: Further afield, the Indian Ocean offers some of the most reliable sunshine during our winter months, and you can expect some of the region’s clearest skies and best beach conditions. For combining culture with beachy relaxation, itineraries such as Sri Lanka & Maldives or Dubai & Mauritius are the perfect choice. Or you could hop between dreamy islands on the Seychelles Explorer for the ultimate winter sunshine escape.
Thailand: Offering that picture perfect beach getaway, Thailand is at its best during the UK winter, with dry, sunny days from November to April. Our itineraries such as Krabi & Koh Lanta or Best Beaches of Thailand promise you sparkling waters, palm-fringed sands and incredible scenery. Whether you choose Phuket, Koh Samui or quieter spots such as Khao Lak or Koh Yao Noi, you’ll enjoy turquoise seas, golden sunshine and the famously warm Thai hospitality.
If you love the beach but also want things to explore…
Mexico: Mexico is ideal for beach and exploration, think cities, ruins, crystal-clear cenotes and culture. Our Yucatán Explorer itinerary allows you to top and tail your cultural exploration with incredible beaches, visiting the iconic Mayan sites of Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, the colourful colonial cities of Mérida and Campeche in between. Alternatively, if you want a fuller flavour of Mexico, our Highlights of Mexico explores the best of Mexico from the Pacific to the Caribbean.
Thailand: Thailand offers so much more than just beach R&R so it needs another mention. On a multi-centre holiday such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket, you’ll go from the city buzz of Bangkok to the culture of Chiang Mai and then finish on the tropical shores in Phuket. For a full-scale multi-centre holiday, the Complete Thailand Experience, promises hill tribes, elephants, temples, night markets, jungle and beaches all rolled into one holiday.
Vietnam: For a mix of city, scenery and beaches, Vietnam is a great choice, with our winter months bringing warm, mostly dry conditions to the south and improving weather in the central region. Our Vietnam Cities & Islands multi-centre takes you through the wonderful sights of Hanoi and Halong Bay before finishing on the beautiful beaches of Phu Quoc. Alternatively, The Best of Vietnam blends the historic towns of Hue and Hoi An with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, finishing with some relaxation at the beach – ideal when the south is at its sunniest.
Brazil: Winter in the UK aligns with Brazil’s summer, meaning hot, sunny weather, ideal for exploring cities, rainforests and waterfalls before unwinding on the coast. Our Best of Brazil itinerary takes you from Rio de Janeiro’s iconic beaches to Iguazú Falls, into the Amazon rainforest and finishes on one of the beach resorts of Bahia such as the unspoilt Cocoa Coast or the northern Barra Grande, or for something a little simpler, our Rio, Falls and Beach offers a great introduction to the country.
Sri Lanka: Winter is the prime season for the south and west coast of Sri Lanka, with plenty of sunshine and calm seas – ideal for combining culture with beaches. Our Cultural Triangle, Wildlife & Beach itinerary sees you exploring ancient ruins in Anuradhapura and Sigiriya, trekking through tea-country hills and spotting wildlife in national parks before finishing on the golden beaches of Mirissa.
Want the sun but not too bothered about a beach…
Australia: If you want guaranteed winter sunshine without necessarily lazing on the beach, Australia is a brilliant choice. Winter in the UK coincides with Australia’s summer, making November to February one of the best times to experience the sights and the easy-going Aussie lifestyle. Our Taste of Australia itinerary combines Sydney, a stay in Brisbane, and finishes in Cairns/the Great Barrier Reef, with the option to add in the Whitsunday Islands.
South Africa: Winter in the UK falls during South Africa’s warm summer months, giving you bright, sunny, dry weather ideal for getting out and about to see the sights. Plus there’s the added bonus of being in the same time zone as the UK, meaning no jet lag when you arrive. Incredible highlights include Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain, Big Five game viewing in world-famous reserves and vineyard visits in the Winelands. Our fabulous itineraries such as The Best of South Africa let you experience it all in one trip.
India: Winter (December to early March) is one of the best times to visit India, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. India offers incredible variety, whether it’s exploring the architectural wonders of the Golden Triangle or heading into safari reserves and backwaters full of wildlife. Our Golden Triangle Tour + Beach itinerary takes you through Delhi, Agra and Jaipur before a relaxing stay on India’s sun-kissed coasts, while the Triangle & Tigers Tour + Beach adds a safari stay in Ranthambore or Bandhavgarh for tiger-spotting.
If you don’t want to travel as far…
Middle East: If you still want reliable sunshine but without an ultra-long flight, the Middle East is a great winter choice and just 7-8 hours away. From October to April, temperatures are warm, dry and perfect for exploring souks, desert landscapes, skyscrapers, luxury malls and stunning coastlines without the intense summer heat. Our UAE Explorer itinerary combines Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai for a wonderful mix of culture, coast and architecture, plus an optional 2-night desert stay.
Egypt: Egypt is a fantastic choice for a shorter-haul winter break which you can reach in around 5 hours and is at its best during these months. Winter brings warm, pleasant temperatures of around 20-25 degrees, perfect for exploring ancient wonders such as the Pyramids of Giza, Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. One of our most popular itineraries, Cairo, Luxor & Sharm el Sheikh brings together Egypt’s two most iconic cultural spots with some blissful Red Sea relaxation and incredible snorkelling and diving opportunities. While our Complete Egypt Experience adds Alexandria and a Nile cruise to the mix for the full shebang.
Want to mix wildlife with beach…
Costa Rica: Dry season is between December to April with long, sunny days, so it’s a great time for wildlife-spotting in Costa Rica’s rainforest along with spending time by the beach. Our multi-centre itinerary Volcano, Cloud Forests & Beach takes you from the Arenal Volcano and the wildlife rich cloud forests of Monteverde to your choice of one of the country’s golden beaches, such as Manuel Antonio. It’s ideal for spotting monkeys, sloths, toucans and colourful frogs, followed by relaxing sunsets and lazy beach days
Malaysia: Malaysia is ideal for winter sun and wildlife, particularly from December to March when Borneo and Malaysia’s west coast enjoy warm, generally dry conditions. Wildlife lovers will adore our KL, Danum Valley & Beach itinerary, which takes you from Kuala Lumpur into the rainforests of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, home to orangutans, pygmy elephants and rare birdlife, before ending with the sun-kissed beaches of Kota Kinabalu. Alternatively, our Kuala Lumpur, Kuching & Penang multi-centre lets you combine the city with wildlife in Sarawak, where you can visit the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre to see semi-wild orangutans roaming freely in the forest, ending with a stay on the coast.
Please get in touch with our team if you’d like to plan your winter break.
