From the Canaries to Cyprus, these places are less than six hours away and remain warm in the miserable months.
If ‘winter sun’ to you means the Caribbean or forget it, let me persuade you that you can have a warm, sunny break less than a three-hour flight away OK, in January and February it will be strolling-in-the-sun rather than flopping-on-the-beach weather, although I’ve had days in the low 20s in Malaga, Malta and the Algarve in Portugal.
I’ve given you the average January high for each destination, and though some may look a bit tepid, remember they’re averages, so things can go higher (but also — mutters into his sleeve — lower). I decided on a 15C cut-off so places including Corfu (14C) didn’t make the grade. Besides, most Greek islands have shut up shop by the end of October. In fact, I’ve made the bold decision to ignore Greece altogether and save you the weather gamble. This is strictly weather data-based and not a conspiracy against the Greek.
Sunshine or sunshines, you’re harumphing ‘15 degrees isn’t winter sun’ I hear you. That’s why I’ve leant heavily into the islands of the north Atlantic: Madeira and the Canaries, which slightly cheat on the flight time limit but offer you low-20s temperatures and a summarisable (for the hale and hearty) ocean. I’ve also stung you under-the-radar spots to explore.
Consequently this list is a bit Spanish-skewed, but hey — do you want diversity or do you want warmth? Talking of which, I’ve included Cyprus. It’s further south than Greece and Turkey and, in Nicosia, gives you a taste of those two cultures. In north Africa the mercury rises higher still, and there’s a variety of options there.
If even the low 20s are Arctic-like in your book, I’ve sneaked in five destinations within a six-hour flight time, which brings in the ancient wonders and Red Sea lazing of Egypt, plus the otherworldly.
Nicosia, Cyprus
Average high 15C
Cyprus’s intriguing capital has influences from Turkish culture, such as Buyuk Han, a former caravanserai (trade route inn), with art galleries and craft shops as well as must-visits like the Cyprus Museum (free; culture.gov.cy). Within the medieval Venetian walls of the old town is Amyth of Nicosia hotel, which opened in March. The beautifully restored former school has ten rooms and a restaurant serving dishes including butter-roasted grouper, plus a great selection of Cypriot and Greek wines.
Click here to read the article in The Times.