With the summer drawing to an end and our eyes turning to Winter Sun holidays we either want to recreate that beach magic we just enjoyed or, perhaps with Covid-19 stopping many summer holidays this year, your next holiday will be the very first of the year and you’re looking to do something extra special? If so, then have we got the four best holidays for you!

What’s important for a Winter Sun holiday? Well, the Sun. Most of Europe can’t be relied upon for winter sun with only the Canary Islands in our list within a 4 hour flight time from the UK. That means that Winter Sun tends to mean long hours on an airplane and typically an extended stay, who wants to spend hours on the plane to turn around and come back in six days? So typically Winter Sun holidays, due to their distance from the UK, tend to be longer in duration, flight time and typically cost more too.

With the added expense in mind we’ve decided to recommend our best value luxury holidays that also have good Tripadvisor ratings to give the soul a boost and something to look forward too post lockdown.

Canary Islands

First on any top Winter Sun list, the Canary Islands has to be the number choice due to convenience, flight duration and guaranteed sunshine. The Canaries are the UK’s most popular choice for a winter sun break year in year out.

There are four major islands to choose from, and regardless of your personality type or family size you’re guaranteed to be drawn to one of them. See our recent guide to which canary island should I visit to help you decide where to go.

With 20 degree weather even in the coldest month of January and with all the water sport and full entertainment calendar in full swing throughout the year, if you’re after sunbathing, partying till dawn or spectacular nature then the Canaries are a classic choice.

Recommended Resort? A week in the 4* star Occidental Jandia Playa in Fuerteventura staying All Inclusive, including flights is currently available for just £316 per person. The hotel is right on the beach just outside of the town (walking distance) of Jandia with its cute chipmunks that are extra playful during the winter months and there’s plenty of space on those long sandy beaches.

Mexico

As far as a long haul, guaranteed sun break goes, Mexico has a lot to offer including being surprisingly affordable. With its drop dead gorgeous beaches, rich heritage and incredible culinary scene (don’t count the calories is our tip), it’s no surprise that Mexico earns second place in our Winter Sun recommendations. 

Popular resorts Cancun, Riviera Maya and Tulum are all fantastic choices and promise a winter holiday you won’t forget. Mexico has something for all types of holidaymaker, from amazing cities and historical sites through to isolated coves, tiny islands and amazing beaches. Many of the resorts all inclusive options are some of the world’s very best all inclusive resorts with the local food and alcohol some of the best (and strongest) in the world.

Recommended Resort? We recommend the 4* All Inclusive Reef Playacar in Cancun for an unbeatable £619pp per week. Located on Playa del Carmen, the most famous of the Cancun beaches, this hotel has it all, from amazing restaurants, a PADI certified diving centre to a range of pools and kid club.

Thailand

From South America to Asia we travel for our third recommendation for a great winter sun holiday. Thailand is infamous for its turquoise blue waters and the world’s most friendly and welcoming hospitality and who doesn’t love Thai food? 

Thailand is also relatively easy to navigate with regular flights to its resorts and Bangkok operating throughout the UK. The price of the accommodation is often very cheap, representing the pound to Thai Bhat relationship. A 5* holiday in Thailand can be less than the equivalent in the Canaries.

The best weather runs from January to April where temperatures are always in the 30c range, however, the only reason not to visit is the flight time itself, a cool 15 hours. You’ve got Netflix though right?

Recommended Resort? We recommend the amazing luxury 5* Krabi resort of Centara Grand Beach which is available from £785pp per week. This is serious luxury. This resort looks like something from a Leonardo di Caprio film and we don’t mean catch me if you can. An opulent hotel on a private bay, well, just see the photo for yourself below. I see new Instagram followers in your future!

Jamaica

Jamaica? I hardly know her! This loved Caribbean island makes for the perfect winter getaway, with guaranteed sun between November and April. The temperatures do vary between regions, but the main resorts of Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios are always hot and sunny all year around.

Everyone knows about the laid back scene in Jamaica, the amazing beaches and music, but unfortunately it’s not as cheap as you’d hope. The flight prices are pretty high and the accommodation cost can also get up there. Jamaica is a must visit bucket list destination, and if it were half the price would be our number one recommendation but at £1000+pp per week, we’ve had to bump her down to fourth.

Recommended Resort? The best value 5* hotel we could find is the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort at £1375pp on Montego Bay. A breath-taking and memorable holiday is exactly what guests will find when they stay at the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa. Positioned on the north coast, guests can take advantage of their amazing surroundings, wonderful beaches and a touch of class and style. This 5-star resort offers a huge array of facilities as well as lavish accommodation and an impressive choice of dining options. This hotel caters for guests of all ages with outdoor pools and sun terraces and a water park for the little ones.  

All prices are based on departure date of January 9th 2021 and were correct at the time of publication.