TOP SPOTS TO BASK
WHEN THE nights grow longer, it is time to start planning for some winter sunshine. For adventure or indulgence, the world is full of guaranteed warmth, if you know where to look.
SRI LANKA
If you long for sunny Indian Ocean beaches but want to do more than work on your tan, it is hard to beat the island of Sri Lanka. With centuries of history, including ancient cities and rock palaces to discover, it is also perfect for nature lovers. You can glimpse elephants and leopards in the wild, especially at Yala National Park, and go whale-watching off the coast near Mirissa.
Galle offers colonial history and the tea plantations in the hills, as well as Buddhist temples and the ancient city of Trincomalee to explore (now the country has opened up to tourism after the end of the civil war).
With two monsoon seasons, the driest months on the west coast are December to March — and, as the UK shivers, Sri Lanka’s coast and lowlands are a blissfully warm 25° to 30°C.
Holiday Designers has an exclusive offer for JC readers with a private
eight-night Sri Lanka highlights tour at £1,435 per person, departing on December 6, including direct flights from Heathrow, transfers and guide. holiday-designers.com
THAILAND
From lounging on palm-fringed beaches to walking with elephants at an ethical sanctuary, the island of Phuket is perfection. Check into Keemala, where the private pool villas look out to the Andaman sea from the lush rainforest. As well as cottage- and tent-style villas, you can rent accommodation inspired by tribal dwellings suspended from the trees or based on the intricate designs of birds’ nests — although all have plenty of luxurious modern touches.
After discovering the pampering holistic therapies on offer, there is much to enjoy around the resort too: temples and beaches, as well as a rum distillery. Or head to Phuket Elephant Sanctuary to observe its rescued residents — part of the resort’s ethical ethos. Then go on to enjoy healthy cuisine or cocktails.
With temperatures hitting around 31°C in December, Phuket has less rain than some of the other islands at this time of year, too, with its dry season from November to February. Rates start at around £400 per night, including taxes, in November. keemala.com
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Sometimes, only a complete escape will do — and relaxing in the sun on a private island, the warm waters of the Caribbean all around, is the perfect antidote to winter. Unaffected by Hurricane Irma, Palm Island Resort, an all-inclusive adults-only getaway, is set on its own 135-acre island at the south of the St Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago. Walk the nature trails to discover iguanas and birdlife, or hop on a bike to explore, before hitting one of the five white sand beaches. You can dine in private on the beach too, or at one of the four secluded picnic sites, as well as indulging in Caribbean specialities and the freshest fish at the restaurant.
A boat trip to the Tobago Cays on the resort’s schooner includes snorkelling on the reef and swimming with turtles.
The rainy season ends by November, with temperatures averaging 27°C year-round. Seven nights cost from £2,339 per person with Letsgo2, including flights, in November and allinclusive accommodation, based on two sharing. letsgo2.com
HEALTHY ADVICE
No-one wants to think about falling ill on holidays — but those tempting long-haul destinations can come with tropical diseases, so make sure your travel vaccinations are up to date.
Most vaccinations need to be administered at least four weeks before departure — but specialist
travel clinics can offer advice for last-minute trips, as well as recommendations for your particular destination and how to protect younger travellers or anyone with ongoing health conditions who may be more vulnerable.
The most commonly required vaccinations are against typhoid and hepatitis A, although you may need to consider protecting against hepatitis B, meningitis ACWY and rabies, too.
Tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps and rubella are covered by standard UK immunisations — but double-check no boosters are required. Always carry mosquito repellent in your first aid kit, with different anti-malarial tablets advised for specific destinations.
The NHS has a useful malaria map at fitfortravel.nhs.uk or visit a specialist clinic such as the Royal Free London Travel Health and Immunisation Clinic (vaccinations. royalfreeprivatepatients.com).
CLEVER CURRENCY
If you delay picking up your currency until you get to the airport, that longawaited holiday could cost more than you had expected. No matter how last-minute your break, you are better off exchanging money in advance.
Specialist companies will almost always give better exchange rates than the high street and major banks. Companies such as Thomas Exchange
(thomasexchange.co.uk) offer zero per cent commission and can send your currency by Royal Mail special delivery, as well as free delivery in the City of London for example.
Consider, too, how you will be paying once you are at your destination — a prepaid currency card will often give better rates and no charges, unlike a standard debit card.
And always do your research into the currency you will actually need — many countries in South East Asia and the Caribbean accept US dollars, especially when local currency is not easily available outside the country. The notes need to be pristine, though, with no folds or tears.