The white beaches of Jamaica keep tourists coming back
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Why not forget the Christmas presents and pool your piggy banks to book yourselves a break instead? Here are our pick of sunny destinations to suit all budgets
Under £500 per person
Short haul sun in the Canary Islands
The Canaries, just off north-western Africa, offer consistently decent weather in January and February, with temperatures averaging 22°C. Sounds good when we’re struggling to reach double figures at any time – and it’s only three or four hours flying time from the UK.
What to see and do
For lively resorts and nightlife, head for Tenerife, an island full of contrasts with spectacular resorts and hotels. A mountain chain runs through its centre from Anaga to Teno, and on both of its slopes are large, fertile valleys, among them La Orotava and Gumar. In the heart of the chain is a gigantic, natural crater, called Las Cañadas del Teide, a magnificent National Park.
If Tenerife’s too big and busy for you and you’re after peace and quiet, try the beautiful little island of La Gomera. Or, for resort-based relaxation, opt for Lanzarote with its black volcanic sand beaches. Meanwhile La Palma is a lovely, un-commercialised small island – the ideal place to go with a pile of books and a Spanish phrasebook.
First Choice (from £665pp) 0871 200 7799; firstchoice.co.uk
Under £1,000 PER PERSON
Abu Dhabi adventure
One of the richest cities in the world thanks to oil, Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, is a hot new destination with a lot going for it. Average temperatures in January of 25°C make it a great time to visit, and it’s an incredibly safe destination, even for women travelling alone.
What to see and do
You’ll find some of the most sophisticated tourist facilities and hotels on earth here, and, as in neighbouring Dubai, the shopping is fabulous, both in the department stores and in the traditional souks.
Don’t miss the Heritage Village in the centre of Abu Dhabi - a living exhibition of the lifestyle and traditions of Bedouin and other ancient Arab cultures.
A visit to the desert is special – four-wheel jeeps will take you on a safari and give you the opportunity to take some Lawrence of Arabia-style photos.
There are lovely beaches with good diving opportunities, and while golf is in its infancy here, there’s a good course near the airport, where clubs and caddies can be hired.
Travel Abu Dhabi (from £800pp) 0800 912 0855; travelabudhabi.co.uk
UNDER £1,500 per person
Treat yourself to South Africa
A week or two in Cape Town is a fabulous winter treat with temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s, and there’s only one hour’s time difference, so no jetlag. No wonder so many birds migrate there when our winter kicks in.
What to see and do
There are clean white beaches that stretch for miles, food and wine that’s both fabulous and half the price of home, and mountain scenery that will take your breath away. For a real treat, indulge yourself and a loved one with a stay in one of the most fabulous hotels in the world, the intimate five-star Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa on the Atlantic shoreline in Cape Town. Backed by the stunning Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles mountain range, yet only ten minutes from the heart of Cape Town, the hotel has a superb spa and wonderful restaurant.
If you prefer to include something a little more active, many tour operators have a combination package including a safari and a beach-based week.
African Dreams Travel (from £1,250pp) 0871 807 8101; africandreamstravel.co.uk
UNDER £2,000pp
Mauritian paradise
White-powder beaches, warm azure water, lush forests and mountains, and some of the most glamorous resorts on earth, you don’t need a hard sell on Mauritius – it’s everyone’s idea of paradise.
What to see and do
Whether it’s sunbathing, golf, spa, hiking or enjoying multi-cultural sights from mosques to sugar plantations, you’ll find it in Mauritius. The locals are a delight and make all visitors welcome. Enjoy visiting some of the impressive eco-tourism projects on the island, such as the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation on Ile aux Aigrettes, successfully helping to conserve the pink pigeon (a cousin of the dodo).
Saga offer good value holidays to Mauritius, such as their package to the all-inclusive Indian Resort and Spa. Designed in the style of a colonial sugar estate, and with a stunning white sand beach, it’s just a stone’s throw from ‘One Eye’ an ideal spot for water-sports lovers, where you can enjoy wind surfing, sailing and kite surfing. The hotel also boasts a superb leisure centre and spa facility, three swimming pools and an excellent range of sports facilities.
Saga (around £1,399 pp) 0800 096 0078; http://www.saga.co.uk/travel)
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