WINTER SUN DESTINATIONS
BY FLIGHT TIME
From two to 17 hours, flight times to winter sun destinations can vary massively – Jo Gardner rounds up the best winter sun destinations according to time spent in the air.
1 hour - Jersey
Located just 14 miles off the coast of Normandy, Jersey enjoys a pleasant year-round climate with hot summers and mild winters – daytime temperatures in December often hover around 9 degrees (significantly warmer than blighty); even in January, temperatures rarely dip below zero. While it won’t be warm enough to sunbathe, it will be pleasant enough for a walk on the beach, a round or golf or a walk around a historic castle.
Food plays a massive part on Jersey with beef, oysters, potatoes, asparagus and cream all produced on the island, and delicious – tuck into a succulent steak served with local veggies followed by a traditional afternoon tea.
The island’s petite size makes it easy to get around, too – hire a car and enjoy driving along the deserted roads, admiring the scenery at every turn.
Accommodation on Jersey varies greatly, with camping for the hardy (and glamping for the not), B&Bs for the traditional, boutique hotels for indie lovers and spa hotels for glamour pusses.
2.5 hours - Ibiza
With its year-round Mediterranean climate Ibiza is the warmest of all the Balearic Islands, with plenty of sunshine to enjoy in the winter months. This is also a better time to visit the island when the throngs of party goers have left and calm resumes once again.
Prices are much keener during this time of year, too with some real bargains to be had. As for beaches, think powdery white sand, clear turquoise seats and rustic dunes – whether you’re spiritual, a surfer, travelling with family or prone to bit of skinny dipping, Ibiza has a beach for you.
Some stunning, design-led properties have opened up on Ibiza in recently years, putting the island head and shoulders above its Balearic counterparts for accommodation – position yourself stylishly by an infinity pool, glass of fizz in hand, and you’ll fit right in. The island also has star quality: this is where The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently celebrated Meghan’s 38th birthday. Not too shabby.
4 hours - Morocco
From the madness of Marrakesh to the chalky blue boats bobbing about on Essaouria, Morocco offers a varied winter sun break just four hours from the UK. Temperatures are more tolerable at this time of year too when the stifling heat of the summer finally breaks and pleasant breezes flow in. Better for small children - and English roses.
Position yourself in Marrakech for a few days – with its colourful souks, hectic (but equally enthralling) main square, Jemaa el Fna, rooftop cafés serving fresh mint tea and stylish Riad accommodation (traditional houses with ornate decor and small pools) – before moving to Essaouria to relax on a beach, surf, fly a kite or simply watch the fishermen bring in their daily catch. Or head to Agadir and discover a destination now known for sand, sun, pubs, pizza and family-friendly hotels. Moroccan cuisine centres around tasty tagines, barbecued meats, sticky dates and piles of cous cous laden with plump raisins.
Prices to Morocco have always been keen, with several low-cost carriers heading into Marrakech and some great deals on package holidays to be had, particularly in the winter.
9 hours - The Caribbean
With hundreds of islands to choose from, The Caribbean remains a popular winter sun destination. You’ll find a laid-back atmosphere in the Dominican Republic, a tropical paradise with flour-white beaches, peppermint waters and swaying palm trees. Spend your days snorkelling, diving in the crystal-clear waters, catching rays on the beach or drinking cocktails by the pool.
Alternatively, enjoy the best of both worlds and visit two or more island on one holiday. Natural bedfellows for island hopping include St Kitts and Nevis, which are just three miles apart, Grenada and Tobago (the former sits just above the latter), and St Lucia and Barbados (Barbados is just south of St Lucia). The cluster of small, idyllic islands that form The British Virgin Islands are also located just east of Puerto Rico, making a great day trip or overnight stay away from resort.
Larger islands tend to be the preserve of all inclusive resorts, with all the bells and whistles – and facilities – you could wish for (including kids’ clubs and entertainment); visit a smaller island if boutique chic is more your thing.
11 hours - South Africa
Countries with reversed seasons to ours make ideal winter sun destinations - December, January and February are the warmest months in South Africa. Despite the 11-hour flight, the time difference is just one hour, too, meaning no jet-slag, great news if you’re travelling solo with children. The favourable rate on the rand also makes the country good value-for-money on the ground.
Most flights head directly into Cape Town (you can fly straight Into Johannesburg too), a cosmopolitan city with art galleries, beaches, family-friendly attractions, vineyards and snow-capped mountains. Spend a few days enjoying the sights (Table Top Mountain is a must), the culture (art galleries are 10 to the dozen), the V&A Waterfront (eat, drink, shop, repeat) and Boulder’s Beach (to see penguins) before heading on safari. Just an hour from the city you’ll find Buffelsfontein Game & Nature Reserve, a cattle ranch where you can see four of the Big Five; one hour further on and Aquila Private Game Reserve has The Big Five (lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant and leopard), as well as over 250 species of birds and Cape mountain zebra. The entire region is malaria free too, making it safe for children.
12 hours - South America
South America is an enormous continent with different time zones and climates – those in the tropical belt include Brazil and Colombia.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s capital, is widely recognised as one of the world’s most stunning cities, with its verdant mountain (Sugar Loaf) rising majestically out of the water, stunning beaches and world-renowned attractions including Christ the Redeemer. Take a cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain and admire the city from above. Copacabana Beach is the place to go to relax, people watch, play volleyball, swim and drink fresh coconut milk straight from the fruit. Other must-sees in Brazil include Igazu Falls and the Amazon Rainforest.
Colombia’s capital, Bogota, meanwhile is far safer than we all once imagined; it’s also hip and arty with grand squares, good-looking locals and fantastic food. For crumbling pastel buildings and charming cobbled streets, look no further than Cartagena; hop on a speedboat from here and discover the delightful – and deserted – Rosario Isles. The country’s coffee plantations also make a fascinating pit stop.
17 hours - Australia
With new direct flights to Perth taking just 16 hours and 45 minutes, Australia has never felt closer. Not all of the country is hot during our winter though, with New South Wales and Victoria receiving significant amounts of rain. Begin your trip in Perth, a small, lively city with plenty to see and do, as well as some glorious beaches, before hiring a classic car (and perhaps a driver) and driving around The Margaret River, a wine region so verdant it looks out of place in steamy Western Australia.
If you have time to spare, hop on an internal flight to tropical Brisbane and spend some time in the watery city, grabbing water taxis between art galleries, rooftop restaurants and beaches (man-made but still cool). Brisbane is the gateway to Australia’s East Coast, a tropical island paradise including The Great Barrier Reef, The Whit Sunday Islands and the beaches of The Gold Coast. Spend your days sailing, snorkelling, diving, relaxing and feeling sorry (but not too sorry) for your soggy friends and family back at home.