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Take a winter break to the sun
travel guide, holidays, winter holidays, azores, travel destinations, winter sun holidays, portugal, winter holidays 2012, portugal, travel tips, winter sun, winter holiday, travel abroad, europe
Horta City Azores Portugal
Why go there? This stunning archipelago of nine jewel-like islands is situated at Europe's most westerly point. Kept warm by the Gulf Stream, the sunny Azores enjoy an average winter temperature of 14°C - perfect for exploring the beautiful, varied landscape on foot or two wheels. The area is renowned for its marine life, and winter is the prime time for spotting whales and dolphins. And from 9 to 12 February, it's also carnival time - with special events, including grand masquerade balls, taking place across the islands.
Flight time from UK: Around five hours, via Lisbon
Tempted? Return flights from the UK to the Azores in January and February cost from around £300 by TAP Portugal. To check out package tour options, go to www.visitazores.com
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Money-saving travel tips -
Take a winter break to the sun
travel guide, holidays, winter holidays, gambia, travel destinations, winter sun holidays, winter holidays 2012, travel tips, winter sun, winter holiday, travel abroad, africa, africa travel
Gambia Ocean Bay Hotel, Africa
Why go there? With its friendly locals and gorgeous sandy beaches, Gambia provides a gentle introduction for first-time visitors to Africa. During winter, the country enjoys average daytime temperatures of 28-30°C, eight hours of sunshine a day, virtually no rain and very low humidity. Plus, you won't suffer jet lag because it's in the same time zone as the UK.
Most visitors simply choose to relax and soak up the sun - but you can also book sightseeing trips, such as a Jeep safari to the countryside or an early morning nature walk.
Flight time from UK: Around six hours
Tempted? Olympic Holidays boasts 17 hotels along the Gambian coast, including the four-star Ocean Bay Hotel at Cape Point. A seven-night holiday - including flights, bed and breakfast - costs from around £529 in January and February. Find out more at www.olympicholidays.com
You might also like…Make it Morocco: city break in Marrakech
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Take a winter break to the sun
travel guide, holidays, winter holidays, travel destinations, winter sun holidays, winter holidays 2012, travel tips, winter sun, winter holiday, travel abroad, america, florida travel, florida
Child pulling face at the beach in Florida
Why go there? Whether you dream of lying on the beach in Miami or taking the kids to meet Mickey Mouse, chances are you can already list plenty of good reasons to visit Florida. But go in winter and you'll have far more energy to explore - simply because there's zero humidity, which certainly isn't the case in summer! The Sunshine State also enjoys between 10 and 11 hours of daylight and average winter temperatures of 20-22°C.
Flight time from UK: Around nine hours
Tempted? A two-centre, fly-drive, seven-night holiday in Miami and Florida Keys costs from £1,169 per person, including flights, with Tour America Direct. Get more information at www.touramericadirect.co.uk
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Explore Miami -
Take a winter break to the sun
travel guide, holidays, winter holidays, travel destinations, winter sun holidays, winter holidays 2012, travel tips, winter sun, winter holiday, travel abroad, canary islands, lanzarote, spain
Villa Cactus Lanzarote
Why go there? Head to any of the Canary Islands in winter and you're guaranteed sunshine and pleasant temperatures of around 18°C - so it's warm enough to lie by the pool or even take a dip. It's also the perfect time to explore Lanzarote's volcanic moonscapes, rolling hillsides, wild ridge walks and exhilarating seaside scenery. Not feeling very energetic? Lanzarote boasts several beautiful white sandy beaches, where you can relax without the crowds in winter.
Flight time from UK: Around four hours
Tempted? HF Holidays offers a seven-night guided walking holiday, including flights and half-board accommodation at the three-star Sands Beach Resort, price £729 in January and February. Find out more at www.hfholidays.co.ukYou might also like...
Take a five-star-plus trip to Tenerife -
Take a winter break to the sun
travel guide, holidays, winter holidays, travel destinations, winter sun holidays, winter holidays 2012, travel tips, winter sun, winter holiday, travel abroad, brazil, Rio De Janeiro, south america
Brazilian man and woman in Carnival dress
Why go there? If you're on the lookout for a once-in-a-lifetime experience - as well as plenty of sunshine - a trip to Rio Carnival between 9 and 12 February is a must-do. You can take your pick from countless street parties or even dress up and join in with a samba school. And if you like it hot, hot, hot, you're in luck: daily temperatures can reach 31°C in February, so make sure you leave time to hang out on the city's famous beaches, too.
Flight time from UK: Around 11 hours
Tempted? Bespoke Brazil offers a six-day group tour of Rio Carnival, including flights, for £1,799 per person. Get more details at www.bespokebrazil.comYou might also like…
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Take a winter break to the sun
PR Velarassu hydropool, winter sun, maldives
PR Velarassu hydropool
Why go there? This archipelago of 1,190 beautiful coral islands nestling in the Indian Ocean is a prime honeymoon destination - and it's not hard to see why. If you're looking for a relaxing and romantic winter holiday, this is the perfect choice: the Maldives boasts average daily temperatures of 27-28°C and very little rainfall. Naturally, it's a great place for snorkelling and diving. Or just lie back on the white sands and sip a cocktail or two.
Flight time from UK: Direct charter flights take nine to 11 hours; flights with refuelling stopovers are around 13 to 14 hours in total.
Tempted? Kuoni offers a seven-night stay in a deluxe bungalow at the five-star Velassaru, including breakfasts and flights, from £1,795 per person, departing in late February. Find out more at www.kuoni.co.uk
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Take a winter break to the sun
travel guide, holidays, winter holidays, travel destinations, winter sun holidays, winter holidays 2012, travel tips, winter sun, winter holiday, travel abroad, cyprus, cyprus travel, mediterannean
Cape Greco Cyprus
Why go there? Despite being a relatively short flight away, Cyprus enjoys average daily temperatures of 18-20°C in winter. And this time of year offers the perfect opportunity to discover a side to Ayia Napa and its surrounding area that's a million miles away from the popular image of loud discos and even louder drunks. Some examples? Explore the town's ancient monastery, visit the gorgeous Blue Flag beach at Cape Greco and take a stroll around the picturesque fishing village of Potamos Liopetriou.
Flight time from UK: Around four hours
Tempted? Return flights from London to Larnaca cost from £220 per person with Cyprus Airways. For accommodation ideas, go to www.visitcyprus.comYou might also like…
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Take a winter break to the sun
travel guide, holidays, winter holidays, travel destinations, winter sun holidays, winter holidays 2012, travel tips, winter sun, winter holiday, travel abroad, america travel, hawaii, romantic break
Couple relaxing on a beach in hawaii
Why go there? Yes, it's a long way to go - but Hawaii is another once-in-a-lifetime trip you should really try to make if possible. Average daily winter temperatures are around 22°C, the beaches are amazing and the food is out-of-this-world. Snorkelling is a must - and if you don't feel like surfing yourself, you can just sit back and watch the experts catching the waves. January and February is also the prime time for whale-watching: majestic humpback whales will be breeding and birthing in the warm waters close to the islands.
Flight time from UK: Around 14 hours
Tempted? A 10-night holiday at Maui's four-star Kaanapali Hotel, including flights, breakfasts and a half-day whale-watching trip, costs £1,895 with Bon Voyage. Find out more at www.bon-voyage.co.ukYou might also like…
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Take a winter break to the sun
travel guide, holidays, winter holidays, travel destinations, winter sun holidays, winter holidays 2012, travel tips, winter sun, winter holiday, travel abroad, america travel, california,palm springs
Palm Springs California
Why go there? This desert resort hideaway boasts more than 350 days of sunshine and less than 5.2 inches of rain each year. Average temperatures in January and February are around 20°C. The city was made trendy by the Rat Pack in the 1950s - and it still oozes glitz and glamour today, along with the world's largest concentration of mid-century modern architecture and some amazing hiking trails and canyon tours. Oh, and Los Angeles is only 100 miles away - so you can fit in a visit to Hollywood, too.
Flight time from UK: Around 12 hours to Los Angeles, followed by a short connecting flight or three-hour drive.
Tempted? Travelbag offers five nights at the Palm Mountain Resort & Spa, including breakfast and flights, from £799 per person. Find out more at www.travelbag.co.ukYou might also like…
Girls' trip to California -
Take a winter break to the sun
travel guide, holidays, winter holidays, travel destinations, winter sun holidays, winter holidays 2012, travel tips, winter sun, winter holiday, travel abroad, morocco, africa, africa travel
Boutique Souk Morocco
Why go there? Morocco has its fair share of amazing architecture, stunning countryside and relaxing resorts - and capital Marrakesh offers the ideal winter city break. Shop for bargains in the souks, explore the winding streets of the Medina and take a day trip to the Atlas Mountains. Another must-see is Yves Saint Laurent's Jardin de Majorelle - the beautiful, cactus-filled gardens that provide a welcome sanctuary from the hubbub outside.
Flight time from UK: Around three-and-a-half hours
Tempted? Boutique Souk is offering a four-night 'exotic escapism' package at Dar Ayniwen luxury villa hotel in Marrakech, from £250 per person, including a 30-minute massage and unlimited use of the hammam and sauna, but excluding flights. Find out more at www.boutiquesouk.com
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Souk shopping in Marrakech
Take a winter break to the sun
Want to get away from the cold and dreary UK winter? Grab your passport, dig out the sunscreen - and take your pick from these sunny destinations, both near and far. By Jane Murphy
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