The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Heatseeker: destinations to book now
Nick Trend introduces the first instalment of our three-part guide to finding the world’s finest holiday hotspots
We may have just enjoyed one of the warmest and sunniest weeks of the year, but we all know this is summer’s last gasp. From now on, the mists will gather, the leaves will turn and rain and sleet will set in. But I don’t mean to depress you; we can still look forward to winter. After all, one of the great pleasures of travel is that it can take you away from all that gloom and greyness. You can choose your destination according to your favourite climate. If you want a reminder of spring you could head for South Africa in November; if you hanker after some equatorial heat, it’s hard to beat the Maldives in January; or perhaps the warm breezes and sub-tropical sunshine of the Caribbean in February.
But finding the right destination at the right time is not always straight forward. Tropical weather can be fickle, and there is more to finding the best climate than simply heading south. Some parts of the Caribbean and South-East Asia can be wet or unsettled until at least Christmas. And mid-winter is the rainy season in parts of the Indian Ocean.
So to help in your quest, today we start our three-part guide to where to find the best sunshine this winter. This first section covers October and November; December and January follow next week; and our suggestions for February and March will be published the week after.
Of course, not everyone likes it too hot, so for each month we have selected destinations within three different temperature ranges. And we have included a variety of places to suit a variety of tastes - from beach resorts, to touring holidays and cultural breaks. Our choices specify a favourite hotel selected by our destination experts, or a special offer from one of our recommended tour operators.
And if these ideas don’t immediately chime with your winter sun plans, we are also launching an online tool called The Heatseeker, where we have analysed the climate in hundreds of destinations. All you have to do is to choose the temperature, flight time, time difference and month of travel you prefer and The Heatseeker will do the rest, suggesting a short list of ideal destinations for your holiday.
There will be some more planning you need to do, of course. You will want to consider when you can most easily get away, and how that will affect your budget. November and early December for example, are excellent times to hunt for good deals. And Easter is late in 2017, so there will be more availability in March than usual. For some destinations you might want to check the latest security situation on the Foreign Office website (fco.gov.uk). You will also want to consider whether you need any inoculations or to take any other health precautions (telegraph.co.uk/tttraveljabs), and find the right insurance policy (telegraph.co.uk/ tt-travelinsurance).
But those are the boring parts. The fun – choosing where you want to travel – comes first. admire: towns such as Positano, Ravello, Scala and Amalfi itself; and Capri, that gorgeous island, twinkling at the end of the Sorrentine peninsula. It’s all glamorous, beguiling, seductive.
The best hotels on the Amalfi Coast: telegraph.co.uk/tt-hotels-amalfi
Reader offer: An eight-day break that takes in the Amalfi Coast as well as Naples and the ruins of Pompeii costs from £699 per person, via Riviera Travel (03301 340 753; telegraph.co.uk/tt-rivpom).
Essaouira
22C 4 hours +0 hours This outpost on Morocco’s west coast flirts with the 20C mark during the European winter, rarely soaring above or dipping far below. A relative newcomer to the British market – the first direct flights launched in early 2015 – it is a pretty prospect whose crumbling 18th-century medina makes for evocative photos. But its keynote appeal is its long curving beach, superb for kite and windsurfing. telegraph.co.uk/tt-hotels-essaouira
On The Go Tours (020 7371 1113; onthegotours.com) runs a regular 15-day “Camels, Souks and Kasbahs” group tour that charts Morocco in detail, and spends two nights in Essaouira. Departures in October from £859 per person, not including flights.
Santorini
22C 4 hours +2 hours The beauty of this sliver of the Cyclades archipelago is a literal case of rising from the ashes. Once upon a time, Santorini was the ancient civilisation of Thira, until a colossal volcanic eruption (probably in the 16th century BC) semi-obliterated the island. What remains is a wonder: steep cliffs plunging to the Aegean; the elegant towns of Oia and Fira perching on the lip; balconies, verandas and restaurants gazing west into the sunset.