Sunshine Holidays

Top Sunshine Destinations

So you're after somewhere sunny for your next holiday? Chances are you'll be think of the typical places, the Costa del Sol, Greek Islands, Malta, and you wouldn't be wrong. Much of the Mediterranean boasts hour and hours of year round sunshine, however if it's warmth you also need, keep in mind the time of year you are going.

The Costa del Sol may be one of the sunniest places in Spain but in the winter, temperatures can drop as low as 6 degrees. Head further south to enjoy some warmer weather with your sunshine, or if you can stretch the budget, why not try one of the popular Middle Eastern destinations like Abu Dhabi or Dubai, where the outdoor water parks are a must do.

Thailand

Thailand has notable seasons and can vary depending on where you go. For example, one month in Phuket may have very different weather to the same month in Pattaya. You may also find you get sudden downpours of rain so be prepared to get wet even with the sunny weather. Combine with a stopover in Bangkok, or even the Middle East, or try out a few of the country's wonderful resorts. You'll find wonderful accommodation on offer too, from all inclusive resorts on the beach, to quaint B&Bs in the jungle. If you're heading into the tropics, make sure to check the most up-to-date advice and information on the National Travel Health Network (NaTHNaC) website for vaccination information and to help you stay safe and healthy abroad.

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is both family friendly and perfect for a group of friends looking to let their hair down. Winter temperatures range between the late teens and early 20s, while summer temperatures can reach over 30. There's also a range of different resorts, from luxurious, boutique hotels to budget friendly all inclusive resorts with a huge amount for the kids to do. It can also be ideal for a last minute break too.

Where Is Sunny In Winter?

When it's cold and dark in winter, and you need that warm sunshine on your face, it's time to book yourself a holiday. But when it's winter in the UK, where is a good holiday destination for sunshine? Well for us Brits, some of the hottest destinations in Europe include the Canaries, which is a popular destination to fly to. On the same latitude as Northern Africa, the Canary Islands enjoy year round sunshine with temperatures on average in the late teens during winter months. Flight inclusive holidays can be book through companies like Jet2holidays, loveholidays and On The Beach, and may even include things like 20kg of check-in luggage and airport transfers.

After a four hour flight from the UK you can be relaxing on the soft, sandy beaches of Fuerteventura, or hitting the pool cabanas in Tenerife, and there's plenty of accommodation to suit all budgets. Beware though, many hotel pools in the Canary Islands aren't heated, so if you need to cool off in the sunshine, that hotel pool could be cooler than you think!

And then of course, there's April. A spring month but well known for its April showers, it's the perfect time for us Brits to be heading away on a sunshine holiday. The popular holiday destination of the Algarve offers plenty of sunshine in April with temperatures averaging around 20 degrees.

Dubai holidays are a great option for the winter sunshine as the temperatures are mild (certainly warm enough to spend time on the beach or by the pool), but without the stuffiness of the heat that this part of the world has during the summer months.

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun on Mexico's Caribbean coast is an excellent place for some far flung winter sunshine. Temperatures on average are in the early 20s, making it a popular spot to hit the beach in December, January and February. The flight time can put some people off, but if you've got the budget, and you love a tropical, all inclusive escape, Cancun might be for you.

Booking The Best Deals

There are some brilliant deals to be had on sunny holidays. Firstly, make sure you're checking out all the latest promo and discount codes available. These might be automatically applied to your booking (this is often the case with the likes of TUI), or you might need to add them manually.

Next, if it's a family holiday, check for free child places. Loads of hotels offer this and the big tour operators like Jet2holidays and easyJet Holidays can package it all up to include flights (where a child travels free).

Finally, check to see what's included. While many holidays are straightforward flight plus hotel bookings, you might need check-in luggage, seat selection and airport transfers. These extras can often be included within the price of your break but aren't always, especially with tour operators like On The Beach, Hays Travel and loveholidays.

Booking package holidays (hotel and flights together) can also help you save money, plus you may even be able to pay a low deposit and pay the balance over time when booking in advance. Booking your flight and hotel separately, especially with a low cost airline like Ryanair can save you money, however, it doesn't mean you're financially protected, so make sure you have travel insurance, check the most up to date advice on the FCDO website and book with an ATOL protected provider.

There are lots of different holiday types, from villa holidays in the hills of Majorca, to beachfront, all inclusive resorts in Turkey.