The five best places for winter sun

As memories of summer fade, some people will be turning their attention to warmer climes. I prefer to stay at home in the summer and enjoy winter sun with an extended trip at the beginning of the year. Not only does it combat the winter blues, but it helps me stay active when I’d otherwise be hibernating.

In recent years I’ve spent Januaries in Australia, Thailand, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Buenos Aires – with culture, hiking, kayaking and snorkelling thrown in.

Whether spent visiting museums and galleries, learning a new skill or unwinding on a tranquil beach, a winter getaway does wonders for my wellbeing. Here are some ideas for getaways over the coming months.

Before we jump into Teresa’s must-visit winter sun destinations, it’s worth thinking about what travel insurance you will need to protect yourself on holiday. Age Co over-50s travel insurance, provided through AllClear, covers more than 1,300 pre-existing conditions and offers unlimited emergency medical expenses and repatriation costs with certain policies. Cruise-specific protection is included as standard on Platinum policies. There is also a 24/7 medical assistance helpline and many optional extras including golf cover.

Egypt

Best for: A cultural escape

Too hot in the summer months, Egypt is a perfect winter destination. Even during the ‘coldest’ months (January and February), daytime temperatures hover around 17°C to 19°C.

What can I do there?

Whether you’re after some chill time at a resort or want to explore Egypt’s Pharaonic heritage, you’ll find something to suit. The average flight time to Cairo is just under five hours and several tour operators fly direct to the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.

In November, the Grand Egyptian Museum will officially open, close to the Giza pyramid complex. Packed with treasures, it will showcase sarcophagi, sphinxes and giant royal statues, as well as never seen before items from Tutankhamun’s tomb.

My tip: A Nile cruise is a relaxing way to roll back the millennia. The Valley of the Kings, temples at Luxor and Karnak and the rock-hewn Abu Simbel can be seen on a five-night trip.

The Canary Islands

Best for: Short-haul sunshine

Temperatures average 18°C in the coolest months, dropping to around 15°C in the evening. Eight hours of sunshine is not unusual.

What can I do there?

These sub-tropical islands are a delight in winter. Direct flights link the UK with four of the eight islands, and beyond the beaches and resorts there are volcanoes, hiking and cycling routes, wineries, golf courses and mountain villages where restaurant tables are laden with organic produce.

On a recent visit to Gran Canaria I sipped wine from the slopes of a volcanic crater and visited a family farm to follow the cheese-making process from milking to moulding. On a guided hike, I was fortunate to see one of Europe’s rarest songbirds – the Gran Canaria blue chaffinch. As well as resort hotels, you’ll find characterful heritage conversions, owner-run guest houses and a network of paradors that promote ecotourism.

My tip: Consider hiring a car. Distances are short and roads are good.

The Caribbean

Best for: An active holiday

Milder temperatures and lower humidity make the Caribbean’s lush interiors, turquoise waters and soaring peaks a good choice for an active getaway. Although some parts of the region can see rain in November, sunny days are the norm.

What can I do there?

The islands are laced with hiking trails – consider Dominica, Saint John, Nevis and Martinique – and there are opportunities for horse riding, forest zip-wiring, birdwatching, kayaking and whale watching from November to April. I’ve hiked to waterfalls in Dominica, visited coffee farms in Jamaica, swum with turtles in Tobago Quays and wandered the historic streets of Havana – and have barely scratched the surface.

Direct flights connect London and regional airports with Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, St Lucia, The Dominican Republic, Nassau (the Bahamas) and Barbados and beyond, on onward inter-island flights.

Top tip: Do your homework and find which island or island group best fits your dream holiday. Still struggling? Consider an island-hopping cruise and return to your favourite next time.

Sri Lanka

Best for: Affordable family fun

From lush jungles and sandy beaches to elephant herds and a fortress in the sky, Sri Lanka has plenty for curious families. Locals are welcoming, dining out is fun and affordable, and accommodation relatively cheap. The country’s size makes it easy to keep everyone entertained without having to travel long distances.

What can I do there?

Sri Lanka is a great place for surfing beginners, with its shallow bays and gentle waves. Take a few lessons at one of the surf schools strung along the south coast’s palm-fringed beaches. In Udawalawe National Park, I lost count of the number of elephants that wandered past our jeep.

Ride the train into hill country to try tea-picking and don’t miss Sigiriya (Lion’s Rock). You’ll walk between the paws of a colossal stone lion before climbing to the remains of an ancient kingdom built atop a monolith nearly 200 metres high.

Top tip: The juice of Sri Lanka’s king coconut is cheap and refreshing, and it’s fun to watch the nut being sliced open with a machete. Try a Sri Lankan “hopper” – giant breakfast rotis.

Dubai

Best for: A city break

With bearable humidity from November, temperatures of around 24°C and endless sunshine, Dubai is a safe bet for a blast of winter sun.

What can I do there?

Dubai is much more than luxurious hotels and shopping malls. In a few days you can stargaze in the red dunes of the Arabian Desert, see Arabian oryx in the UAE’s first national park, marvel at – and often climb – spectacular architecture and dine at an underwater restaurant.

At Dubai Creek, Dhow Wharfage is a great place to watch traditional abras unload their cargo. Hop on one before sundown or paddle yourself into the sunset on a kayak. After a couple of days, you might appreciate some poolside slumming.

My tip: Get around on the shiny Dubai Metro. It’s quick, clean and easy to use – and ridiculously cheap.

Keep in mind when travelling for winter sun…

Although the peak summer season has passed, there are half-term holidays (October and February) and Christmas to consider. Fares will rise and flights will be busier, so avoid these if you can.

Don’t assume it will be sunny every day. Over the months of November to March, there will be regional weather fluctuations in some destinations. A little research will save disappointment.

Booking with an ATOL or ABTA-protected tour operator is always recommended, but this won’t cover you for things like lost luggage and medical emergencies – which is why it pays to be fully insured.