Written by Kelle Salle
Image by @Velma.simmons
Winter is officially here. As temperatures are set to drop significantly in the run up to Christmas, now is the perfect time to go on holiday. If you’ve been craving some winter sun and aren’t sure where to go, you’ll be pleased to know that there are many places that offer warm weather during this time of the year. We all have our own requirements when it comes to travel, so if warmer weather isn’t a dealbreaker for you, then a staycation or city break may be ideal. Travel Content Creators Sarah Toyin and Char have shared a fabulous selection of destinations that are worth visiting ASAP.
Accra, Ghana
Accra is one of my favourite destinations for a winter escape. It’s full of history, culture and vibrance. There’s so much to do. I’d recommend visiting the Black Star Square, Kwame Nkrumah Museum and Osu Castle. To really explore the city, I think it’s best to spend seven days there. A day trip outside of Accra is also a good idea because there’s so much more to Ghana than Accra. There are a number of tour operators that organise group tours and private tours to places like the Cape Coast, Shai Hills, Akosombo and more.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is the perfect destination for a winter escape. Temperature-wise, the winters there are very mild. It’s also easy to travel around via public transport. If you love city breaks, this might be the one for you. Barcelona has a bustling city centre, a lovely beach as well as iconic landmarks such as Sagrada La Famillia and Park Guell. I would recommend three days or more in the city to get a real feel for it.
Antalya, Turkey
Antalya is a coastal area in Turkey that’s become quite popular recently. When I went there, I had a really good time. If you are thinking about going to Turkey for some winter sun, Antalya and its surrounding areas are the best places to go. In terms of things to do, there’s the Land of Legends theme park, the Duden waterfalls and you can also ride the Tunektepe cable cars. If you’re really into holiday activities, you can take a boat ride or go rafting. Antalya is good value for money as a lot of the resort type hotels are all inclusive. To experience the best of what Antalya has to offer, I recommend visiting for a minimum of four to five days. I’d also recommend taking one or two day trips to the surrounding areas.
The Algarve
The Algarve is such a great choice for a winter escape. You can expect temperatures of around 18 degrees during the winter months. It is one of my favourite destinations because of the beautiful beaches and friendly locals. Visiting the Benagil Caves is a must as well as some of the neighbouring towns such as Albufeira, Lagos, Portimao and more. Portugal is one of the most affordable cities in Europe. You can easily stay in a 4 or 5-star hotel without worrying about breaking the bank. If you want to relax and enjoy what the Algarve has to offer, I’d recommend spending a minimum of four days there.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong isn’t the warmest place during the winter months but you can expect temperatures of 16-18 degrees and there’s a low chance of rain. The best thing about visiting Hong Kong during the winter is that it isn’t as busy as the summer months. If you love food, then Hong Kong is the perfect destination for you to explore. I recommend dining at Peking Garden, Lady M, Yum Cha and Din Tai Fung. The must visit attractions in the city are Ocean Park, Disneyland and The Peak. Five to six days are enough to spend in Hong Kong. I would definitely recommend squeezing in a visit to Macau and visiting Lantau Island, which isn’t too far from the city. Travel tip: Do get an Octopus card – it lets you pay for buses, ferries, attractions and food.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde is a great place to visit from November onwards. Although the weather is in the high 20’s, it doesn’t feel exceptionally hot because of the breeze that comes in from the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Verde is only six hours from the U.K and you can fly there directly with budget airlines like TUI or via Lisbon with TAP Airlines. One of the reasons why I love Cape Verde is because it’s still relatively untouched by major tourism. It gives culture, nature, views and vibes. Cape Verde is the perfect location for anyone who wants a chilled holiday. It isn’t activity central but there are a few things you can do such as quad biking, kite surfing and island hopping between Boa Vista and Sal. Seven days is more than enough time to get the best of what Cape Verde has to offer.
Maldives
The best time to visit The Maldives is November to April. The weather is hot, it’s less windy and the sea is calm. If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend booking your trip in the January sales to get a bargain. The Maldives is pure paradise. If you love going to places where you can completely switch off and do absolutely nothing most of the time, it’s the perfect holiday for you. There’s a lot of things you can do like snorkelling, jet skiing, scuba diving, and fishing. I recommend hiring your own private sandbank for pure indulgence. Seven to ten days is more than enough time to spend in The Maldives. Travel tip: Bring a lot of sun cream as it’s quite expensive to buy because it’s imported and get a local sim card (the wi-fi is very slow).
