Where to go for winter sun - and why

Serious winter sun

Mexico

Mexico is also set to be a big draw for UK visitors in 2009 because of the favourable exchange rate to the weak pound, according to the Foreign Office and ABTA. It's also a hotspot for other reasons, not least for the average 30°C temperatures at this time of year. Spend your pesos relaxing at the beach, going loco in Acapulco, partying in Puerto Vallarta, taking an eco trip in the Mexican outback or seeing the ancient Mayan sites of Tulum and Chichen Itza.

Getting there: First Choice (www.firstchoice.co.uk) has packages from £864 pp for seven nights' four-star all-inclusive in Cancun. Independent female travellers might like to try a seven-night yoga and salsa retreat. Salsa Retreat (www.salsaretreat.com) in Oaxaca has course dates in January and March for $1,489.