10 Destination suggestions for winter sun

As the cold and dreary British winter starts to set in, the best fix is to fly away to warmer climes in search of some winter sun. Here are my top 10 suggestions of where to top up that tan and soak up some sunshine in the winter months.

Cancun, Mexico

Flight time: 10 hours+
When to go: November-March

Cancun is a vibrant city set on the Riviera Maya. It is famous for its white sandy beaches, historical sites and its fantastic night life, and generally has an average temperature of between 28 degrees to 36 degrees celsius all year round. Excursions from Cancun include swimming in ceynotes, discovering the historical Mayan ruins in Tulum and Chichen Itza and visiting Xcaret.

If you are looking for a lovely resort to stay at I highly recommend Luxuria Vacations Nizuc, which is surrounded by stunning white beaches and is inspired by the Mayan culture. It is located in the secluded enclave of Punta NIZUC, which is less than a 15-minute drive from the airport, making it so convenient!

Dubai

Flight time: 6 hrs 45 mins

When to go: November-April

Dubai is an ultra luxurious holiday destination with its opulent hotels, fine dining restaurants and high end shopping, beaches, a marina, creek,as well as state of the art entertainment venues and daring skyscrapers. It is also home to the largest shopping mall in the world and the highest building in the world.

Perfect for a holiday either as a final destination or a stop over, Dubai also benefits from year round sunshine.

Here are my suggestions of things to do in Dubai.

Qatar

Flight time: 6 hours direct from London

When to go: November to March

Qatar is a rapidly growing Middle Eastern country on the coast of the Persian Gulf that you definitely need to have on your radar, whether it is for a short city break, a layover in between a multi city flight or a long haul trip. It is just a 6 hour direct flight from London and perfect for some winter sun.

You can read about why Qatar should be on your radar here.

Kenya

Flight time: 8 hours +

When to go: All year round

Why not combine a beach break in Mombasa with an exhilarating safari and head to Kenya, on East Africa’s coast, for some winter sun.

You can read about my suggestions of things to do in Mombasa here.

Barbados

Flight time: 8 hours +

When to go: December to mid April

10 hours of sunshine a day is the perfect reason to visit this idyllic Caribbean island! Famous for its stunning beaches, delicious food and refreshing rum cocktails, the best part is on arrival you actually gain a few hours to spend on the beach working that tan!

Here are my highlights of Barbados.

Cuba

Flight time: 13 hours+

When to go: December to May

Cuba is a fascinating travel destination with its beautiful beaches, abundant history, amazing vintage classic cars and delicious rum cocktails! It feels like it is trapped in a pre-embargo time warp and so much has been preserved from that era. There is so much to explore, do and see. I recommend combining the historical city of Havana with the stunning Varadero, and revel in Cuba’s charm as well as its spectacular beaches.

Here are my Highlights of Cuba.

Bali

Flight time: 16+ hours

When to go: All year round although the winter months are slightly rainier

Bali is the perfect tropical hideaway where you can relax on the beach, visit beautiful rice terraces, see some interesting temples, indulge in the local cuisine and gaze at the magnificent landscapes, especially the volcanic mountains.

Although the winter months are likely to be rainier (we are only talking short outbursts), the sunshine more than compensates for it, and it is considerably cheaper.

Here are my suggestions on the top things to do in Bali

Mauritius

Flight time: 12+ hours

When to go: November to April

Mauritius is an idyllic island with crystal clear waters, powder soft white sand, fringed with palm trees and has gorgeous weather. It was ranked among the top 10 countries to visit in 2018 according to Lonely Planet’s Best In Travel 2018. It has been popular as a honeymoon destination, as well as a great place for water sports enthusiasts, or those wanting a relaxing holiday on a slice of paradise for some winter sun.

Here are my suggestions on things to do in Mauritius.

Jaipur

Flight time: 8+ hours
When to go: October to March

Jaipur is filled with vibrant culture, amazing food and stunning architecture and known as the ‘Pink city” due to its terracotta “pink” coloured buildings, historically representing hospitality, which were painted to welcome Prince Albert and Queen Victoria who were visiting India in 1876.  The bustling streets of Jaipur are ideal for a winter break in a warm place with lots to immerse yourself in!

You can combine it as part of the Golden Triangle Tour, and see Delhi and Agra too.

Read about my highlights of Jaipur here.

Antigua & Barbuda

Flight time: 8 hours

When to go: December-April

There are 365 beaches to choose from on this sun drenched island, and it has a special meaning to me as it is where I got engaged! When in Antigua I highly recommend the day trip to Barbuda – it is the most striking island I have ever seen with pink sand scattered on its dreamy beaches.

Read all about it here:

https://www.binnysfoodandtravel.com/2016/02/02/travel-link-up-antigua-barbuda-and-a-very-special-moment/