The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hit the hot spots
Forget shivering in winter’s gloom, we have a guide to sunny destinations to warm your heart.
If you’re dreaming of a bright rather than white Christmas, there are plenty of sunny destinations to keep the blizzards at bay. Pack your swimsuit rather than Christmas jumper for popular holiday hot spots such as the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Turkey, Madeira, Malta or Spain, where the temperatures, although perhaps not sizzling, will certainly not leave you shivering.
The Spanish Costas and Balearic Islands never go off the boil, with many lucky retired guests lapping up cheap long-term lets in self-catering apartments and villas. Families, too, enjoy fun in the sun from Majorca to Menorca, while Ibiza’s festive party scene is sparkling.
The Canary Islands lure many Brits to their sun-kissed beaches during the winter season. Cool down with cocktails in Tenerife’s trendy bars; ride a camel in Lanzarote; lounge by the pool in Gran Canaria or sand-board on Fuerteventura’s rolling dunes. If you can’t choose between them, why not take a cruise round them all?
Picturesque Madeira, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic, enjoys up to 10 hours of sunshine a day during winter. Its capital Funchal is a treasure trove of markets, steep streets and the famous toboggan run – on wheels rather than snow! Stay for Hogmanay and you’ll be treated to one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the world.
Greek gems such as Crete, Kefalonia, Rhodes and Athens are an affordable choice after the Christmas splurge, while mild temperatures will also save on heating bills. There are still enough bars and tavernas open, while the lack of summer crowds mean you’ll have the historic sights almost to yourself.
For a slice of Christmas Turkey, head to lively Antalya, Belek, Bodrum, Dalaman or Istanbul, where you’ll discover more bargains haggling in souks than you’ll find in any Boxing Day sale. There are plenty of natural hot springs to soak up extra warmth or do as the locals do and spend steamy nights in Turkish baths and spas.
Snow may fall in the high Troodos Mountains during winter, but Cyprus is one of the most southerly islands in the Mediterranean and therefore one of the warmest.
Temperatures can sometimes reach 20C on the coast in winter, although perhaps you’ll think twice about dipping your toe in the sea.
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Malta, too, has a similar climate to Cyprus as well as a pulsating night life in lively St Julian’s. Alternatively, for peace and quiet, head to the silent city of Mdina, where you can completely unwind in the calm, traffic -free streets.
If your plan is to tan, then step away from the Med to long-haul destinations like the Caribbean, Florida, Middle East, Asia, Africa or Australia. A host of direct flights now depart from Scottish airports to an infinite choice of palmfringed shores and beyond.
Cuba should be on your wish list for a now-or-never chance to see this untouched island frozen in time. Barbados, the Dominican Republic and Mexico have bucketfuls of talcumpowder beaches and turquoise seas.
Children may think all their Christmases have come at once in the wonderful Walt Disney World of Florida. For young and old alike, festive fireworks cascading over Cinderella Castle is the ultimate dream come true.
Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi are filled with futuristic Eastern promise as well
Picturesque Madeira, a Portugese island in the Atlantic, enjoys up to 10 hours of sunshine a day
as luxurious hotels and shimmering skylines. The gold souks and high-end shopping malls may melt your plastic more than the blistering sun.
Safaris in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia can be combined with a few days by the ocean, lolling in the shade as much as the lions do during the heat of the day. I’ve just returned from a walking safari In Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park meaning copious Christmas calories can be kept at bay.
Wild elephants can also be found in Thailand, which has trunkfuls of gift deals this year. December, January and February are some of the driest months to visit, whether heading to glittering Bangkok, the idyllic islands or on trekking jungle adventures.
It’s a popular stop-off en route to Australia, too, where Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a swim at Bondi Beach or watching the New Year fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge. Surf’s and bottoms up!