The 5 Best Winter Sun Destinations

For many of us, summer is well and truly over – and what a summer it was. Blazing sunshine beat down across the country and record temperatures were hit in some parts of the world. Now, the days are getting longer and there is a definite chill in the air outside. The cold is coming and it is time we start planning our winter getaways. Finding winter sun is a challenge. Europe is out of the question so we need to search further afield to get our much-needed dose of vitamin D. The important thing to remember is that the sun has not forsaken us. It is still out there, we just need to go and find it.

If you are ready to spend your winter topping up your tan, here are five amazing winter sun destinations to inspire you.

Morocco

If you don’t have a lot of time to travel over winter, you don’t want to waste an entire day on a plane. Morocco is just a short flight away and is filled with adventure and excitement – from the vivid blue walls of Chefchaouen to the toppling sand dunes that undulate through the dessert. Spend your days picking out trinkets in the souks of Fes and Marrakech, hiking through the spectacular Atlas mountains, and surfing at Taghazout. When you’re done for the day, feast on a delicious Moroccan tagine.

Cuba

Visiting Cuba is like travelling back through time. The vintage cars that you’ve seen in postcards cruise through the streets and the colonial architecture is suitably picturesque. While Cuba is slowly moving forward, it is still a fascinating place to visit. You won’t find much coca cola or WiFi here, but what you will find is a distinct culture unlike anything you’ve ever experienced – oh and lots and lots of sunshine. For beaches and relaxation, beeline straight to the pearly white sands of Varadero.

Israel

People are often deterred from visiting Israel based on what they read about in the news and that’s a real shame. This culturally rich gem in the Middle East is filled with energy and beauty. For a varied itinerary, start at the mountains in the North and make your way all the way down to the beaches in the South. Be sure to stop off at the major cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on your way and don’t forget to go for a float in the Dead Sea.

The Seychelles

If you’ve got some cash to burn this winter then you could do a lot worse than a trip to the Seychelles. This collection of islands is about as close to paradise as you’re going to find here on earth. With powder soft sand and sparkling turquoise water, you would be forgiven for thinking you’d died and gone to heaven. Throw in some palm trees and a luxury resort or two and you’ve got a winning destination.

Sri Lanka

There are few places more beautiful than the tear drop island known as Sri Lanka and winter is the perfect time to visit. From December to February, the monsoons have died down and the sun reliably drenches the land every day. In addition to kicking back at the beach and enjoying the sun’s warm glow, you can search the jungles for elephants, visit Buddhist caves, and hike through the country’s impossibly green tea plantations.