The Best Destinations to Book Now for Winter Sun
You don't have to fly too far to swap grey skies for a dose of sunshine-inducing vitamin D
Malta
With 300 days of sunshine a year, Malta is officially the sunniest spot in Europe so it seems like a natural choice when it comes to a mid-winter break.
Rich in history, with its UNESCO sites, ancient streets and flourishing nightlife, it’s also just a short boat ride away from the islands of Gozo and Comino with their famous sea caves and dive sites.
Picture postcard UNESCO-listed Valetta is the island’s capital and its easy to explore on foot – ideal in winter when it’s not so blistering hot. The walled city dates back to the 1500s, established by the Knights of St John, and encompasses museums, palaces and grand churches. Even the quaint coffee shops here have a history. The beautiful baroque St John’s Cathedral houses Caravaggio masterpieces and nine national chapels. Fort St Elmo is a National War Museum highlighting Malta’s military past, and the Lascaris War Rooms have immersive tours to help you understand the island’s pivotal role in World War II. Stroll the ancient cobbled streets of the ancient city of Mdina (known as the Silent City) with its unique blend of European, Arab and North African architecture.
Beyond the city, seek out Malta’s charming coastal villages. Take a leisurely stroll around the pretty fishing harbour of Marsaxlokk, famous for its traditional Luzzu boats, lively fish market and its many fish restaurants, and explore the idyllic village of Marsaskala, with its picturesque bay and quaint promenade. A short ferry ride takes you to the neighbouring island of Gozo where you can explore the fortified citadel in Victoria, prehistoric temples at Ggantija, the stunning cliffs of Dwerja, go scuba diving in crystal clear waters and relax on the near-empty beaches.
Such a diverse history has resulted in an eclectic food scene in Malta, which bears a heavy resemblance to Italian but with middle eastern influences in evidence. Rabbit is a mainstay here, as are the cheese- or pea-stuffed pastizzi (pastries). But whether you’re looking for fine dining at the Michelin-starred, rooftop de Mondion or the hidden Romanesque oasis of the 500-year old Medina Restaurant in the Silent City, the local fish restaurants of Marsaxlokk or just trying one of the many neighbourhood bistros, you’ll fall in love with its cuisine.
Stay in the iconic Art Deco Phoenicia just outside Valetta’s main City Gates. A favourite of the royal family, it is a mere five- to 15-minute walk from all the main sites of the city and its many restaurants, as well as the ferries to Gozo. If you are looking for something smaller and characterful, then the boutique Casa Ellul has just nine suites. This elegant luxury hotel on a quiet city street is the perfect base from which to explore. If sea views float your boat, then the Scandi-style Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour just south of the city overlooks the port and sparkling sea (and plenty of bobbing boats in the harbour below). The restaurant is a multi-award winning affair and there’s a rooftop pool too.
The Algarve
Portugal’s Algarve is a sun-drenched stretch of this beautiful country, enjoying better weather than most of its European counterparts. It may not be all about sunbathing in January but the winter months are mild, bright and sunny, and with a myriad of great golf courses, long stretches of sandy beach and plenty of good local bars and restaurants, it’s a great place to while away some of the winter.
Less than three hours away, flying into Faro, turn west and you’ll soon be in the manicured playgrounds of Quinta do Lago, where the streets are lined with vast white villas and upmarket restaurants, there are Championship golf courses at every turn, and you’ll find an uninterrupted stretch of beach fringed by a mix of dunes, umbrella pines and ochre-coloured cliffs which take you all the way past the busy town of Albufeira. Head further west and you’ll find plenty of little coves sheltered by cliffs just perfect for picnicking. Head east and discover the pristine white sandy dunes and islands which keep the Atlantic waves at bay.
The many whitewashed fishing villages which tumbled down to the sea may have been transformed by tourism, but boats still land fresh seafood daily along the coast where the restaurants serve up everything from locally-collected clams from the Ria Formosa to freshly-caught carabinieri (scarlet prawns), sardines and tuna (or head to the bustling local markets to source your own).
The Ria Formosa nature reserve sweeps east from Quinta do Lago towards the Spanish border made up of wetlands and tiny waterways, all home to teeming wildlife. Nature trails criss-cross the reserve and a new boardwalk stretches nearly all the way to Faro, perfect for walking and biking. Walk across the wooden bridge which stretches over the Formosa and stop at Gigis for coffee before hitting the beach, walk along the sand to the beachside 2 Passos restaurant for their renowned garlic prawns, or head up to the rooftop at the Bold Octopus and watch the sun set over the sea.
Its well established reputation for sun, sea, sand and seafood mean there is no shortage of wonderful places to stay in Quinta do Lago, but whether you are looking for an action-packed family holiday or a luxurious break for two, one great option is Four Seasons Fairways.
With its stellar location in the middle of Quinta do Lago, this resort combines luxury with a welcoming, home-from-home atmosphere and loyal guests return year after year to enjoy the balmy climate, elegant yet laidback style and multitude of activities on offer here.
Ideal for multi-generational breaks, Four Seasons Fairways is a mini village, with 132 stylish, white-washed villas and apartments each with its own pool or jacuzzi, sun-soaked terrace or garden area and outdoor BBQ, cleverly combining the independence and privacy of self-catering accommodation with the five-star service of a luxury hotel. There are two superb restaurants onsite; the sophisticated Amara with its stunning al fresco terrace and innovative twist on classic Portuguese cuisine; and the more laidback Vivo Bistro & Cocktail Lounge with fresh, flavour-packed dishes and a convenient villa delivery service for relaxed evenings in.
At the very heart of the resort is a welcoming clubhouse with two heated pools (one indoor, one outdoor) and a sleek new wellness centre. For little ones, there is an exceptional Kids’ Club with a programme of exciting, creative activities – from messy play and art workshops for younger guests to watersports, karting and tennis camps for older children. Grown-ups can enjoy expert coaching on the resort’s two immaculate tennis courts, open-air yoga classes in the lush gardens and a fully-equipped gym with personal training and fitness classes. For golfers staying at the resort, reduced green fees at the majority of the surrounding courses mean access to some of the best golf courses in the world.
fourseasonsfairways.com
Cape Verde
Great for a guaranteed dose of sunshine year round (it often only rains once a year here) this smattering of tiny islands lying off the coast of Africa is the destination for the archetypal fly-and-flop holiday.
Ten islands make up Cape Verde and each has its own individual personality, but with new direct flights to Sal, a beach-lover’s paradise, it’s the perfect destination for winter sun as the temperature sticks to a solid 22 degrees or more.
The island’s dramatic interior is made up of volcanic springs, salt lakes and arid, moon-like landscapes, whilst the coast has sugar-white sand beaches backed by dunes and rocky cliffs which keep back the powerful Atlantic swell, which is perhaps the only downside to Sal as in some places the ocean is often deemed unsafe for swimming.
Most of the hotels here are to the south of the island in Santa Maria: expect large, all-inclusive, resort types with several pools, bars and restaurants all lining the beach which means guests don’t have to move far from their sun lounger if they choose not to. But for those that do, the island is worth exploring.
Float in the Salinas de Pedra Lume, a salt lake in a former salt mine deep in the crater of an extinct volcano, see the strange Terra Boa mirage which appears as a lake in the middle of the desert landscape, and visit Buracona and the Blue Eye where, at a certain time of the day, the sun hits the water and lights up one of the caves a bright blue, contrasting with the darker blue of the surrounding water making it look just like an eye.
Sal is popular with kite surfers taking advantage of the Atlantic breeze and paddle boarding, scuba diving and fishing are all available. There’s also an abundance of wildlife including turtles and lemon sharks, and whales make regular appearances offshore.
While it’s an increasingly popular tourist destination, Sal is still relatively underdeveloped so expect to see a contrast in the towns and villages. There are however plenty of bars and restaurants if you want to get to see the more authentic side of the island away from the larger resorts.
Life revolves around the water on Sal, but if you want to avoid the crowds in the larger resort hotels then Odjo d’Aqua is a small (although recently extended) locally-owned hotel on a tiny rocky promontory in the heart of Santa Maria, with its own garden and infinity pool, and an open-air bar and restaurant jutting out into the sea.
The family-run Hotel Morabeza has direct access to Santa Maria’s long beach and is close to the town’s pier where you can watch the local fishermen bringing in their catch of the day. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the beach-side Aquarius bar and there are two pools and four restaurants on-site here, but for guaranteed peace and quiet book into the child-free Executive area.
If you really just want to fly and flop then head to one of the resort hotels where all the amenities are on site. The adult-only Hotel Rui Cabo Verde borders the beach. This all-inclusive, 24-hour hotel has two pools, a choice of restaurants, a spa, a comprehensive daytime activity programme including water sports and live entertainment in the evening.
