There's no better way to banish the January blues than by jetting off to sunny climes for a far-flung adventure offers exotic and exciting new experiences.
But picking the right place to go this time of year isn’t always an easy task. Thankfully help is at hand. Hurrah! We’ve shortlisted five fantastic winter sun destinations that tick every box…
Island hideaway
Made up of rugged volcanic islands in the Atlantic, Cape Verde is a temperate oasis and an up-and-coming destination that’s luring travellers in greater numbers. With January temperatures that hover between 21 and 26 Celsius, Cape Verde boasts the ideal conditions relaxing on the powdery beaches of Sal and Boa Vista islands. But this is more than a fly-and-flop destination. Visitors can expect to hike craggy mountains in the mornings, kick back on scenic shores to watch the sunset in the evenings, and chow down on zingy Creole Portuguese-African delicacies come nightfall - expect mouthwatering, slow-cooked vegetable stew and a lot of corn. Delicious.
Mayan magic
Interestingly, the beginning of the year season is actually one of the coldest times of year to visit Mexico, but with temperatures still unlikely to fall much lower than 28 degrees Celsius, midwinter is still a fantastic time to go loco down in Acapulco. On the gorgeous Caribbean coast the Riveria Maya is bursting with sun, sea and soul. From the big and brash resort town of Playa del Carmen to the hippy and hedonistic beaches of Tulum, pictured, (think jungle yoga and moon ceremonies on the beach), there’s something for everyone. It’s also the gateway to some of Mexico’s most impressive cultural sights, most notably Chichen Itza, an age-old archaeological site that dates to 600 AD which was once an economic powerhouse and a cornerstone of Mayan pilgrimage for hundreds of years thereafter. Some say the site was named after ‘water magicians’, so why not pay a visit to find out why?
A Tropical Roadtrip
Winter sun-seekers might overlook the USA when scanning the globe for sizzling getaway destinations, but a visit to Florida is hard to beat. The Sunshine State is perhaps best known for its larger than lfe theme parks but rent a car, head a little further south and you’re in for a treat in the form of a roadtrip of a lifetime. Top tip: make it a convertible.
Visitors to Miami can expect weather in the mid-twenties while temperatures creep up once you head down the 113-mile Overseas Highway towards Key West. It’s also a brilliant time to get up close and personal with alligators, turtles and more in the Everglades, the largest subtropical wilderness in the US, as humidity is low making the conditions even more perfect.
Souk it Up
For true cultural overload, we recommend a trip to Marrakech to sample some high-octane haggling in the labyrinthine souks (traditional covered markets), sip super-sweet mint tea under the shadow of 12th century mosques and spend your nights in amazingly affordable boutique hotels.
Expect 19-21 degrees Celsius in the day, but don’t forget to bring a jacket for those chilly evenings. If beach holidaying is more your thing, Morocco’s top coastal resort, Agadir, is also warm this time of year and offers a much more laidback, Mediterranean vibe than Marrakech. Culture vultures might also want to stop by Fez to learn why this kaleidoscopic northern city attracted swathes of philosophers, scholars and kings in centuries gone by.