Inspiration

The best winter-sun destinations

Here are the best winter-sun destinations to consider right now, from tropical islands to short-haul sunshine
The view from Amanwella near Tangalle Sri Lanka
David Crookes

Summer may be well and truly over in the UK as back to school season begins but it's just getting started elsewhere in the world. Or better yet, it's continuing in some places that are closer to home – where it's possible to grasp onto a sunny holiday right up until November. From tropical islands to desert escapes, we’ve collated the destinations that offer warm weather during the winter, as well as smart places to stay, covetable culture and a brilliant food scene. For more ideas, see our guide to the best winter sun destinations in Europe.

  • Flight time 10 hours When to go DecemberApril Average winter temperature 28°C There is no bad time to go to the...
    Sabastian Posingis

    The Maldives

    Flight time: 10 hours
    When to go: December–April
    Average winter temperature: 28°C

    There is no bad time to go to the Maldives. There is nothing bad about going to the Maldives at any time ever. They are perfect little islands, whichever you choose – tiny castaway-fantasy sandy islets, mostly with one immaculate resort, with various levels of splendidness. Even people who think they will get bored in the Maldives end up loving the Maldives. They're family-friendly, and for blissed-out beachy nirvana, they're hard to beat. And they're at their best during the British winter, and a quite do-able 10 hours away.

    Where to stay: It's hard to beat Gili Lankanfushi, which sits on what might be the most beautiful lagoon in the country. We also love Alila Kothaifaru on the natural island of Kothaifaru, with its spattering of jungle-y vegetation between villas creating a truly private retreat. For some of the best snorkelling around, the Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa is located in one of the Maldives’ deepest, most northern atolls, ensuring plenty of marine life to peek at among the fluttering corals. See more of the best hotels in the Maldives

    See more of the best hotels in the Maldives

  • James Bedford

    Cyprus

    Flight time: 4 hours 30 minutes from London
    When to go: March–May; October–November
    Average winter temperature: 22°C

    The eastern Mediterranean Sea around Cyprus may be chilly in winter, but the island gets plenty of sunshine all year, so there's a good chance you'll get T-shirt weather even in the coldest months. From March, the island's flowers start to bloom, and there's barely another visitor in sight. It's a great option for families too as it's only a short hop from the UK and there are plenty of child-friendly hotels once you're there.

    Where to stay: Anassa in Latchi made our Gold List this year as one of the best hotels in Europe. The elegant series of white buildings is particularly beloved for its multigenerational appeal thanks to a super slick kid's club and effortlessly chic adult-only spaces. For a child-free stay, adults-only Amavi is a glossy beachside bolthole with a fantastic rooftop sushi restaurant. Foodies will like Cap St George, with its seventh-floor restaurant offering incredible sea views and a regular rotation of Michelin-star chefs flown in from across the globe. For more, see our pick of the best hotels in Cyprus.

  • 4Corners

    Dubai

    Flight time: 7 hours from London
    When to go: November–March
    Average winter temperature: 26°C

    For year-round sunshine, spotless beaches and impeccable service a short hop away, Dubai is an obvious choice. The Palm, a manmade sweep of beach packed with superb hotels, each with its own immaculate patch of beach, is perfect for family holidays. It's not all glass and shopping malls in Downtown Dubai: the Old Souk is a warren of glittering jewellery and pots, and the peaceful Dubai Creek hints at a time before the seven-star hotels and indoor ski slopes. Two new creative districts (Dubai Design District and Al Quoz) have gained the attention of the international art scene, too. To see the city in its best light, go in November, when it's not too humid and you can happily bronze by the pool all day.

    Where to stay: The newly-renovated Bab Al Shams now has a bright, contemporary aesthetic that remains true to its Arabian roots, with new restaurants and fantastic sunset views. For some old-world glamour, there's the maximalist marble-clad palace Jumeirah Al Qasr, which made our Gold List in 2023. And it’d be remiss not to mention Atlantis the Royal, the self-described ‘most ultra-luxury experiential resort in the world’, which saw Beyoncé perform at its opening celebration. See our best hotels in Dubai guide for more.

  • Bali

    Flight time: 16.5 hours from London
    When to go: Bali is hot year-round. It is rainiest (and thus cheapest) November–April; but even when it rains, it's in short, tropical bursts.
    Average winter temperature: 27°C

    Bali is the heavenly island with earthly pleasures. Back-to-blissed-out spa retreats so fine that Bali has developed a style all of its own: clean and contemporary, dark wood and linen whites. Parties, from flip-flop full-moon raves in hidden-away coves to the cool Potato Head Beach Club and The Lawn at the boho beach spot that everyone's talking about, Canggu. There's glamping here now, and chic boutiques. There's art in Ubud. There are spas absolutely everywhere. There are beaches, of course. And the pools here are something else: a classy, jungly deep green, shrouded by tropical leafery. Those incredible horizon pools high up overlooking rainforest – that's classic Bali.

    Where to stay: Book ahead and you could nab a night in one of the world's most popular Airbnbs, The Hideout, a magical looking two-story bamboo hut in Selat. In Ubud, Capella Ubud is an African-inspired jungle camp home to 22 one-bedroom suites with sprawling outdoor decks and private plunge pools. At the edge of the Uyung River, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve has a gilded, glittering on-site temple, spacious villas with jungle views and spa treatments by renowned intuitive healer Ibu Ketut Mursi. See our edit of the best hotels in Bali for more.

  • Julien Capmeil

    Seychelles

    Flight time: 13 hours from London to Mahé (including one stop)
    When to go: October–November
    Average winter temperature: 29°C

    Adrift in the Indian Ocean, a thousand miles from the nearest coast of Africa, the Seychelles are the ultimate fantasy-island escape.  The archipelago has year-round heat and sunshine, as well as its fair share of rain. The wettest months in the Seychelles are November to March, but temperatures never get too oppressively hot (meandering around 24ºC at night and up to 29ºC in the daytime, year round). October is a great month to go for a hit of sunshine, before it gets too rainy, and the air is fresher.

    Where to stay: Its private-island resorts – North Island, Denis Island, the Six Senses Zil Pasyon – are possibly the most sensational anywhere in the world, a honeymooner's dream (even William and Kate honeymooned at North Island, though the hotel is too discreet to admit it). For more options, see our guide to the best Seychelles hotels. 

  • Mauritius

    Flight time: 12 hours from London 
    When to go: May–December
    Average winter temperature: 28°C

    What Mauritius has over its Indian Ocean neighbours, the Seychelles and the Maldives, is its size and natural diversity, and the fact that you can do it independently. Its beaches are still potted tropical paradises, and here you can rent a car and go exploring to find your own deserted cove, drive or hike up into its rainforested hills, take a boat out and go snorkelling or dive in its extraordinary underwater world. It has a bit of a reputation for overly groomed resorts – but it also has some of the finest beach hotels in the world, and you can find little boutique hotels right on the beach, too. Perhaps the best months to go to Mauritius are September, October and November, when it's hot but not too hot (averaging around 25-28ºC in the day, a cooler 17-19ºC at night), and at its driest (the rainy season in Mauritius is from January til April).

    Where to stay: The most spectacular stay might be Shangri-La Le Touessrok, a private island escape with two pristine golf courses, a pagoda-style spa and a sushi restaurant. For a fun Soho house-style atmosphere try LUX* Grand Baie – there's a poolside DJ, a rooftop athletics track and a nightclub underneath its fabulous Asian restaurant Ai KISU. See our best hotels in Mauritius guide for more.

  • Rex Features

    Canary Islands

    Flight time: 3 hours 30 minutes from London
    When to go: Year-round
    Average winter temperature: 22°C

    It's summer all the time in the Canaries, where temperatures average in the low-mid 20s all year round. As well as the well-known destinations – Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote (pictured) – there are three smaller islands that are less visited and less spoilt: La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera. They don't appear on the average British holidaymaker's mental world-map, and make for interesting exploring and winter sunshine.

    Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton in Tenerife made our Gold List in 2022 – a pastel-pink, Moorish palace mansion of a hotel with eight restaurants, a handful of swimming pools and a decadent spa.

  • Rex Features

    Thai islands

    Flight time: 13 hours from London
    When to go: November–March
    Average winter temperature: 32°C

    The islands of Thailand are the stuff of castaway fantasies. White sand, rustic-chic beach shacks, a hammock gently swaying between two palm trees as a turquoise sea laps at the shore… There are dozens to choose from, and each offers something quite different, from the super-spas of Koh Samui to barefoot beach-bum in Koh Lipe, while Koh Lanta remains quietly chilled out with lovely places to stay on beaches that stretch for miles.

    Where to stay: On Phang Nga, Six Senses Yai Noi has created the perfect castaway experience via a collection of stilted thatched-roof villas and a hilltop half-moon infinity pool. If you're headed to Phuket, Amanpuri has a special location on Pansea beach, plus an impressive selection of restaurants and a world-beating spa. For something the kids will love, the railway-themed InterContinental Khao Yai Resort has upcycled vintage railway carriages serving as suites, and an old-timey ticketing booth for a lobby. See the best hotels in Thailand for more.

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  • Kalle Gustafsson

    Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

    Flight time: 10+ hours from London
    When to go: November–March
    Average winter temperature: 24°C

    Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, on the Atlantic Coast, has a magical mix of ancient and buzzy-right-now cultures. Swim in its green ceynotes, discover temples, salute the sun beneath the glitterball gods with fashionistas on the beach in Tulum. Mix it up in colonial Mérida. Go barefoot on Isla Holbox. The best time to come is during Britain's darkest months.

    Where to stay: Beachside retreat Hotel Esencia, beloved by celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Lupita Nyong’o, made our gold list of the best hotels in the world for 2023. Likewise Habitas Bacalar, a small – just 34 rooms – off-the-beaten track stay that hosts local vendors for guests experiences and uses traditional Mayan cooking techniques within its restaurant. For more options, see our pick of the best hotels in Mexico.

  • Oliver Pilcher

    Taghazout, Morocco

    Flight time: 3 hours 50 mins from London
    When to go: December–March
    Average winter temperature: 21°C

    Once a slightly rough-around-the-edges hippie town, Taghazout is now Morocco’s top surf destination. The sleepy fishing village on the Atlantic coast hasn’t lost any of its old-fashioned charm, and goats still wander gormlessly through the dusty tangerine-coloured streets while fishermen haul in their daily catches from rickety blue and white boats. For serious surfers, winter marks the beginning of peak season, and as the swell rips up, the break-chasing crowds arrive. Temperatures usually hover around a very pleasant 20°C, but Saharan winds often push the mercury up much higher. The places to stay keep getting smarter, offering surf lessons in the day and rooftop yoga at sunset. And even if you’re not into surfing, there are plenty of beautiful hiking trails nearby, camel rides along the beach and excellent fishing too.

    Where to stay: 15-room, Afro-inspired Munga Guesthouse is owned by former pro surfer Mounir Bouallaq.

  • Michael Turek

    Bermuda

    Flight time: 7 hours from London
    When to go: October–March
    Average winter temperature: 24°C

    The mid-Atlantic archipelago of Bermuda, mythical setting for Shakespeare's Tempest, is a land of pink beaches, pink houses and brightly coloured shorts. It is Caribbean in nature, though it's much closer to the UK – so shorter flight times – and has a distinctive character all of its own. Its pink-sand beaches are lovely, too. Those along the South Shore are the glory of the island. Horseshoe Bay is the best known and most crowded, though Warwick Long Bay, a short way along the coast, is just as alluring. At one end of Horseshoe there is a little patch of sand the size of a playground, cut off from the rest of it by a rocky hillock.

    Where to stay: We like the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, a 19th-century retreat set right on the capital's harbour.

  • California

    Flight time: 10 hours from London
    When to go: Year-round
    Average winter temperature: 21°C

    'The Golden State' is an appropriate nickname; California is one of the sunniest of US states, with mild winters, little rain and plenty of sunshine, especially in the south. For a classic USA road trip, hire a convertible and hit the Pacific Coast road. State Route 1 runs 550 miles from Leggett all the way down to Malibu. It has famously beautiful views much of the way, and the best section is that from San Francisco through Monterey and San Simeon to San Luis Obispo (where the road drifts inland), although north of San Francisco the route is wilder and less crowded. Aim to drive southwards, to be closer to the sea.

    Where to stay: In Los Angeles, The Hoxton has brought a healthy dose of European flair to the West Coast. For a classic stay, Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica has come to embody the finest of So-Cal's barefoot luxury. In San Francisco, Proper is a buzzy stay beloved for its eclectic decor and perennially-packed rooftop bar, Charmaine’s. See our edit of the best hotels in California for more.

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  • Tim McKenna

    Bora Bora, Tahiti & French Polynesia

    Flight time: One full day from the UK
    When to go: Year-round (though March is particularly rainy on Tahiti).
    Average winter temperature: 28°C

    In both geography and spirit, just about as far from a drizzly British winter as you can get. French Polynesia is made up of 100-odd little islands in the South Pacific Ocean, the best-known of them Tahiti and Bora Bora. They are out of this world. Castaway fantasy, ringed by reefs; the water unbelievable shades of turquoise blue; the hibiscus flowers Gauguin bright; everything bright and light and hyper-real.

    Where to stay: The Brando is the area's biggest-hitting hotel – owned by Marlon Brando and set on a stunning, living coral reef. 

  • South Africa

    Flight time: 12 hours from London
    When to go: November–March
    Average winter temperature: 27°C

    It might be in another hemisphere, but South Africa is in the same time zone as the UK – which means no jet lag. In Cape Town and beyond there is stunning scenery, breathtaking beaches, as well as world-class wines and fabulous food.The country's most celebrated stretch of coastline is the glorious Garden Route. However in the other direction, a road trip through the Western Cape makes a rewarding alternative and the weather is particularly good in December and January. The less-explored Overberg Coast has wide beaches, good restaurants and wineries, moody seas at the southernmost tip of Africa, and a sensational coastal reserve that even the locals don't know about.

    Where to stay: In Cape Town, check into The Silo, which sits on top of the Museum of African Art. Just over an hour's drive away Leeu Estates (pictured) in Franschhoek is an arty stay for post-safari relaxation. 

  • Rajasthan, India

    Flight time: 8 hours from London
    When to go: October–March
    Average winter temperature: 25°C

    With its cities of pink, blue and gold, its romantic lakeside palaces and desert camps, Rajasthan is India's brightest and most beautiful state. Go there and get carried away, whether you're getting stuck into the hustle-bustle streets of Jaipur, escaping into the desert around Jaisalmer, or floating wistfully across the lake in romantic Udaipur.

    Where to stay: Six Senses Fort Barwara took almost a decade to transform the 700-year-old fort into a 48-suite hotel. Its small garden grows everything from desi roses to cauliflower, cabbage, guavas, and jamun, while the ancient temple spa blends Ayurveda with Six Senses’ inimitable touch. Read more at our Six Senses Fort Barawara review.

  • Rex Features

    Bahamas

    Flight time: about 10 hours from London
    When to go: November–December, and March
    Average winter temperature: 25°C

    Once a hiding place for pirate treasure and prohibition liquor, Harbour Island in the Bahamas is a colourfully eccentric retreat where every night is a party and every day more vibrant than the last. The sand is pink, the turquoise water is home to green sea turtles and orange starfish, and yellow-throated birds fly about the trees. Days on the beach are long and lazy, and the time of day forgotten.

    Where to stay: For a boutique stay, The Other Side is a small, gorgeous set of tents and shacks on Harbour Island. 

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  • Via Tolila

    Tel Aviv, Israel

    Flight time: 5 hours from London
    When to go: March–May; October–November
    Average winter temperature: 23°C

    Israel enjoys around 300 days of sunshine a year – and although winter here may not be as scorching as some of the other big-hitters, if you come towards the beginning or end it’s still warm enough to lie on a beach. The modern Middle Eastern metropolis of Tel Aviv is just a five-hour flight from London, making it an easy long-weekend hop. With its skyscraper skyline, striking Bauhaus architecture, avant-garde art galleries, world-class restaurants and hedonistic after-dark culture, this is the Mediterranean’s very own version of Manhattan. Throw in 14km of beautiful coastline, and it’s easy to see why so many creatives are drawn to the vibrant city.

    Where to stay: One-time 19th-century convent The Jaffa, in the city's Arabic district, is the most ambitious design hotel. 

  • Alamy

    Jordan

    Flight time: 5 hours 10 minutes from London
    When to go: February–May (south); March–May and September–October (north)
    Average winter temperature: 21°C

    Jordan is full of surprises. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to give it its full name, has wonders both natural and ancient. It's true that much of the country is desert (seemingly endless Wadi Rum has even doubled as the moon in Hollywood movies), but there are also swathes of fertile land, bright and beautifully green. The waters of the Red Sea, off the coast of Aqaba, are bath-warm all year – and colourful, too, home to myriad fish, rays and turtles which make their home on the full-of-life coral reefs – and the best time to go for beach weather is February til May. Meanwhile, winters can be chilly in the north of the country, where snow caps the magnificent treetops of the Ajloun Forest Reserve; and the best months to go to ancient Petra, Amman and the north are March, April, May, September and October.

    Where to stay: Feynan Eco-Lodge is one of the only places to stay under the stars at the Dana Biosphere Reserve.

  • Oman

    Flight time: 7 hours and 15 minutes from London
    When to go: October–April
    Average winter temperature: 26°C

    Oman is a less-glitzy, laid-back alternative to Dubai – only the landscape here is more dramatic: wide open spaces punctuated by oases and desert towns; valleys fragrant with rose and sandalwood; hidden coves with golden beaches and brilliant-turquoise water. The capital, Muscat dazzles in the year-round sunshine with its grand mosques and bustling souks. Up in the far north-east, the Musandam Peninsula has some of the best diving in the Middle East (whale shark and turtles are the big draw).

    Where to stay: Six Senses Zighy Bay is on a golden sweep of sand backed by the impossibly steep Al Hajar Mountains. To feel truly isolated, camp in handmade Bedouin tents among the epic sand dunes of the Wahiba Sands south of Muscat – it's the best way to find authentic Oman.

  • Getty Images

    Cuba

    Flight time: 13+ hours from London
    When to go: October–April
    Average winter temperature: 27°C

    With its lovely Caribbean climate, guaranteed warm and sunny days and very little rain, Cuba’s weather is at its most reliable during the UK winter. The beaches down on the south coast may get the best sunshine and draw the biggest crowds, but there’s plenty beyond the palm-fringed stretches of sand. Havana’s got its colourful pastel-hued buildings, cigars and Cadillacs, while the perfectly preserved Spanish colonial architecture in UNESCO-protected Trinidad makes the city feel lost in time. Elsewhere, there’s no end of nature reserves, lush forests, mountains and tobacco plantations to explore.

    Where to stay: Gardens Havana is a sweet guesthouse in a faded, renovated townhouse in Havana. 

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    Western Australia

    Flight time: 20 hours from London
    When to go: November–March
    Average winter temperature: 35°C

    The north-west coast of Western Australia is remote (it closed its boarders to the rest of Australia for over two years during Covid), beautiful and largely uninhabited. It has the least-visited of all Australia's coral reefs, Ningaloo Reef, a pristine 260km stretch of coral where thrilling encounters are fairly routine, whether you're diving or snorkelling. Turtles nest from November to March.

    Where to stay: Como the Treasury in Perth is the city's smoothest stay, with a rooftop restaurant and beautiful bedrooms. 

  • Philip Lee Harvey

    Namibia

    Flight time: 14+ hours from London (via Johannesburg)
    When to go: November–March
    Average winter temperature: 27°C

    Astonishingly, Namibia gets barely half a million visitors a year – while neighbouring South Africa receives almost 10 times that number. But as travellers are slowly beginning to discover, this is one of Africa’s most fascinating destinations: rugged, intrepid and dramatic. More than a dozen new camps and lodges have opened up over the past few years, each one rocking a more creative approach to conservation. Namibia is usually touted as a year-round destination, but in truth the searing summer temperatures can be oppressive. November to March may coincide with the country’s wettest months, but with the rain comes a stunning transformation of scenery. The arid desert morphs into a lush green carpet; swarms of migratory birds arrive, and animals start breeding. Rain is localised and comes in short, sharp bursts, so it’s unlikely to have too much of an impact on your trip.

    Where to stay: Habitas Namibia offers an intriguing blend of safari, wellness and culture. For more, see our favourite off-grid safaris in Namibia.

  • Martin Morrell

    Belize

    Flight time: 16+ hours from London (via Houston)
    When to go: December–April
    Average winter temperature: 30°C

    Belize’s peak season coincides perfectly with the UK’s coldest months. Although temperatures remain high all year-round, January to March has the lowest chance of rain, making this an ideal time to explore this tiny adventure-packed nation. Bordered by Guatemala and Mexico, Belize attracts a fraction of the crowds of its neighbours, yet the natural and cultural diversity of this former British colony is truly compelling. It’s home to Mayan ruins, national parks, nature reserves and the Belize Barrier Reef (which forms part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the world’s second largest), all begging to be explored. The country’s jungly interior contrasts with a dazzling Caribbean coastline and hundreds of small cayes and islands, while a flurry of fresh hotels have all put eco-tourism at the top of their agenda.

    Where to stay: At rattan- and plant-filled Itzana.

  • Jack Johns and Owen Tozer

    Lamu, Kenya

    Flight time: 17+ hours from London, via Nairobi
    When to go: December–February
    Average winter temperature: 32°C

    When the Foreign Office slapped a travel ban on Lamu after the 2011 Somali terrorist attacks, it fell off the map. But now with sanctions lifted, crowds are starting to flock back to this far-flung African island that still feels totally unchanged by time. It’s long been a popular beachy bolt-on after an epic Kenyan safari, attracting curious travellers rather than flag-following sightseers. There are no vehicles, just donkeys and dhows, and the heady mix of Arab, Persian, Chinese, Indian and European cultures is mesmerising. After a few days in the UNESCO-protected Old Town, head south to the deserted beaches or drift over by dhow to the nearby Robinson Crusoe islands of Manda and Kiwayu. From December to February, temperatures average a steamy 32°C, making winter the prime time to come and enjoy the postcard-perfect empty sands and Lamu’s laid-back rhythm.

    Where to stay: Seafront Peponi was built in the 1930s and has been a hotel since the 1960s, with an incredible pool, shady verandah and a list of former guests that includes Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall. 

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  • Julien Capmeil

    Zihuatanejo, Mexico

    Flight time: 17+ hours from London (via Mexico City)
    When to go: December–April
    Average winter temperature: 30°C

    Over on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, two beach towns sit side-by-side: Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. They couldn’t be more different. Ixtapa, stacked with high-rise hotels and modern infrastructure was purpose-built for tourists, while, just round the bay, Zihuatanejo has kept hold of its old-world charm and sleepy-fishing-village feel. It’s a low-key beach retreat with genuine Mexican flair; fisherman flog their catches on the shore each morning, and the town centre is filled with historical cobbled streets and a buzzy market. Clutches of boutique properties sit right on the beach or overlooking the bay – which is a hit with surfers. It’s hot all year round, but October to April sees the least rain, making this a perfect spot for a hit of winter vitamin D.

    Where to stay: We love the Thompson, which spotlights interiors from Mexico City-based studios.

  • Getty Images

    Gulf of Chiriquí, Panama

    Flight time: 13+ hours from London
    When to go: December–March
    Average winter temperature: 32°C

    The Gulf of Chiriquí is nothing new – travellers have long been flocking to the white-sand beaches and dazzling turquoise waters of Panama’s Caribbean archipelago. But the Pacific side is still significantly less discovered. There’s Islas Secas, a highly exclusive, privately-owned archipelago of 14 islands offering pristine beaches and one of the largest coral reefs in the Pacific, making it the perfect spot for diving and snorkelling. It's just under an hour from Panama City by twin-otter plane and is totally worth it for the privacy and seclusion once you arrive. The best time to come is from January to April, when the wet rainy season gives way to a few months of glorious sunshine and scorching temperatures.

    Where to stay: Philanthropist Louis Bacon opened Islas Secas, home to four individually designed Casita sites and, three Tented Casitas, all located on one of the islands and sleeping up to just 24 guests.

  • Getty Images

    São Tomé and Príncipe

    Flight time: 20+ hours from London (via Lisbon and Accra)
    When to go: December–February
    Average winter temperature: 30°C

    Marooned off the coast of Gabon, these tiny unspoiled islands together make up Africa’s smallest and least-visited country. But it’s thanks to the tiny tourist numbers that São Tomé and Príncipe still retain the allure of somewhere almost completely undiscovered. These jungly islands are home to more endemic species per square mile than anywhere else on earth – making them a bit like Africa’s very own Galápagos. January, February and March are the hottest months, when the dry and dusty winds blow straight in from the Sahara.

    Where to stay: When South African billionaire Mark Shuttleworth opened up his first boutique hotel, Bom Bom, back in 2013, a new breed of luxury traveller arrived; since then, he’s opened two more, Roça Sundy and Praia Sundy. They’re all part of a wider project to create jobs and boost tourism – so you’ll be doing good while on holiday too. 

  • Mirjam Bleeker

    Mozambique

    Flight time: 13.5 hours from London UK (via Johannesburg, South Africa)
    When to go: April–November
    Average winter temperature: 26°C

    This southern African country has the most astonishing coast – the beaches of Mozambique are out of this world. Great stretches of sand, wild and dune-backed; lapped by the beautiful Indian Ocean where humpback whales breach, where you can swim with manta rays in the Mozambique Channel. In the little islands of Mozambique's Bazaruto Archipelago, a protected marine park towards the south, there are sand-floor bars and simple thatched lodges, and the most sensational sandy islets in bluer-than-blue waters, like wisps of cloud in a summer sky. On the beaches of northern Mozambique you feel as though you're at the end of the world; off this coast are the dreamlike Quirimbas Islands, including heavenly Vamizi

    For those keen to tread where others have not, Mozambique has a certain caché – savvy travellers have been returning, in small numbers, to this coast for the past 20-odd years – and a few new spruced-up hotels are starting to appear – but are keen to keep it all a secret. We say go now, before the secret is out.

    Where to stay: In one of the 17 prettily stripped-back bandas on the southern peninsula's tip at Machangulo Beach Lodge.

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  • The Philippines

    Flight time: 15.5 hours from London
    When to go: February–May
    Average winter temperature: 31°C

    More than 7,000 islands. Deserted white-sand beaches lined with tilting coconut trees. Protected marine parks with pristine reefs like giant tropical fish bowls. Surf breaks so phenomenal they draw the world's best pros. Low-key but slick hotels and villas. And some of the friendliest people on the planet. This is the glory of the Philippines.

    Where to stay: Amanpulo, in the Palawan archipelago, is a blissed-out private island hotel.

  • Ken Kochey

    Bahia, Brazil

    Flight time: 13 hours from London
    When to go: October–February
    Average winter temperature: 31°C

    On Brazil's Atlantic seaboard, far from the tourist trail, Bahia has deserted beaches, rainforests full of wildlife, cocoa farms, a surfers' town and several barefooty resorts that you'll never want to leave. Head to the small town of Itácaré for surfing, sailing, walking and birdwatching; to Trancoso for people-watching and beach-partying.

    Where to stay: Built between a deserted beach and a black lagoon, Butterfly House is an eco-luxe guuesthouse made up of five green-grass-roofed bungalows on bamboo stilts, enveloped by thousands of citronella plants.

  • Iwan Baan

    Senegal

    Flight time: 10 hours from London
    When to go: November–May
    Average winter temperature: 29°C

    It may not the obvious choice for a beach holiday, but all the better for it: Senegal, in West Africa, has some beautiful golden sands, fantastic surf, great music and delta wildlife. Go for a holiday of life-changing experiences. 

    Where to stay: Sobo Badé hotel in Toubab Dialaw is an utterly serene stay.

  • David Crookes

    Guatemala

    Flight time: 14 hours from London
    When to go: November–May
    Average winter temperature: 25°C

    In Central America, the ancient Mayan cities of Guatemala, hidden deep in rainforests full of colour and exotic noise, make Rome seem as if it was built in a day. From jungle temples to beachfront bars, the delights of this magical country make for an unforgettable journey.

    Where to stay: La Lancha is made up of 10 bungalows scattered on the hillside above Lake Petén Itzá.

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    Hawaii

    Flight time: 18 hours from London
    When to go: Year-round. February is particularly good.
    Average winter temperature: 24°C

    Yes, Hawaii is hot all year round. And yes, it has a lot of swanking five-star resorts that cater to your every whim and could be anywhere in the world. Some people – a lot of people – like those places; and why not? For others, there is everything else Hawaii has to offer. The real Hawaii. The best beaches, the best surf, the best walks through rainforests or up volcanoes.

    Where to stay: Ask any Hawaii loyalist and a common answer is Mauna Lani, one of the most beautiful hotels in the US.

  • Alistair Taylor-Young

    Kerala, India

    Flight time: 9 hours from London
    When to go: November–March
    Average winter temperature: 27°C

    Calm, cool and green: Kerala is not how you imagine India to be. A meandering voyage through the backwaters of this southern state is a wonderful way to see the subcontinent. Old Fort Cochin is bound to delight, and there are some lovely beaches, too.

    Where to stay: Somatheeram Ayurvedic Health Resort in Kovalam is one of our favourite spas in India.

  • Don McCullin

    Siwa Oasis, Egypt

    Flight time: 5 hours and 15 minutes from London
    When to go: October–December
    Average winter temperature: 25°C

    The oases of Western Egypt have always been havens of refuge in a beautiful but unforgiving landscape; and with the advent of small, low-key hotels in the area, designed to respect and reflect the local environment, their capacity to refresh is greater than ever. Head to Siwa Oasis for its ancient temples, salt lake, hot springs, shimmering heat and big, shifting dunes.

    Where to stay: Adrère Amellal, a simple hotel with 40 rooms in the Oasis. 

  • Anders Overgaard

    Laos

    Flight time: 19 hours from London
    When to go: November–February
    Average winter temperature: 25°C

    Everyone is seduced by Laos's misty, mystic mountainscapes and its historic city, Luang Prabang From the moment the country opened its doors to tourism in the 1980s, visitors have talked in reverent tones about the sleepy town far upcountry on the banks of the Mekong River. It captivates. It weaves a spell. It carries some flavour of Indochina before the modern world got there.

    Where to stay: Rosewood Luang Prabang is made up of safari tents surrounded by jungle. 

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  • Cambodia

    Flight time: 14 hours from London
    When to go: November–April
    Average winter temperature: 32°C

    If you want to see South-East Asia at its most beguiling, you need to head to Cambodia. Go to watch dawn break over the jungle temples of Angkor (pictured), and for the authentic traditions of its villages and laidback capital, Phnom Penh. But also go for its immaculate beaches.

    Where to stay: Shinta Mani Wild consists of 15 tents across a private state. See our pick of where to stay in Cambodia for more. 

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    Ecuador

    Flight time: 11 hours from London
    When to go: December–May
    Average winter temperature: 26°C

    Ecuador is less developed than Costa Rica, so expect an adventure — one with everything its Latin cousin has to offer, and more besides. Want wildlife? Take a luxury cruise into the Ecuadorian Amazon. Want surf? Ecuador’s 1,400 miles of Pacific coast has plenty of that. And then there’s Quito, a much smarter capital than San Jose: a heady blend of steamy salsotecas, grand Andean vistas, and fabulous hotels in ravishingly restored colonial mansions (none more elegant than the peerless Casa Gangotena). You may have heard of another of its under-the-radar destinations, the Galapagos, too. Ecuador’s different geographical zones have their own, distinct weather patterns, but Europe’s winter is when the weather is warmest in Quito and the Highlands; driest in the jungle; and sunniest on the coast.
    Above: Laguna de Quilotoa is a beautiful crater lake in a secluded location of the Ecuadorian Andes.

    Where to stay: Want an eco-stay? The five-star Mashpi Lodge is a sustainable, all-glass stunner hiding out in a cloud forest.

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    The Andaman Islands

    Flight time: 14 hours from London 
    When to go: January–March
    Average winter temperature: 29°C

    Every bit as dreamy as the Maldives, but more satisfyingly off-radar, the Andaman Islands have smartened up. This tropical archipelago — geographically closer to Myanmar and Indonesia than its owner, India — has always been brochure-beautiful, but only recently blessed with luxury digs. Those far-flung beaches and impossibly pure waters were more reward for intrepid surfers and gap-year backpackers until now. But it was only a matter of time before this primitive paradise turned upscale. Havelock is the most developed of the 572 islands, the vast majority of which are off-limits to visitors (and populated by indigenous tribes). It’s here that Indian luxury hotel giant Taj has newly scattered 72 thatched villas under a rainforest canopy, fringing the fabled Radhanagar beach, widely said to be among the best in the world.   Winter is the clearest, driest time of year — particularly January to March — with temperatures around 29C.

    Where to stay: Jalakara is a boutique, teak-and-concrete sanctuary tucked into a banana plantation, where there’s no WiFi, no TV — just utter, nature-swathed serenity.

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    Karnataka, India

    Flight time: 9 hours from London
    When to go: October–April
    Average winter temperature: 27°C

    Karnataka’s beach scene is every bit as beautiful, but rather less glowsticky, than Goa’s, though it shares the same coast (the state of Karnataka is further south). Gokarna beach, often listed among India’s finest sandy crescents, is chilled-out, powdery and palm-fringed; beach-goers more hammock-swinging yogis than UV-painted ravers. Better still, there’s more to explore beyond browning and sun salutations. Hampi’s magical, ancient temples and bizarre, perilously-stacked boulders have fascinated wanderers and vagabonds for hundreds of years.

    Where to stay: Try trekking and then de-stressing at the Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa, in the emerald, coffee- and spice-planted hills of Coorg.

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    Vietnam

    Flight time: 12 hours from London
    When to go: November–February
    Average winter temperature: 27°C

    Vietnam may well be one of the most fascinating, beautiful and charming countries you will ever visit. Saigon is wonderful, colonial and quirky; Ho Chi Minh City has one of the world's best food scenes. And the coast of Vietnam – oh, the coast! The beaches are extraordinary. So much untouched beauty. Little islands and dramatic bays to explore by boat. Out-of-this-world beach-chic places to stay, right on the sand. And even though it's easy-going and luxury can be found everywhere, it still feels like a secret, still some sense of discovery about a trip there.

    Where to stay: On a stretch of under-rated Vietnamese coastline, Regent Phu Quoc is a luxury gem with all the trimmings for an idyllic long-haul fly-and-flop.

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    Ghana

    Flight time: 7 hours from London
    When to go: October–March
    Average winter temperature: 28°C

    Ghana’s ‘Africa for beginners’ reputation tips a hat to the ease of a trip here — stable politics, developed towns, functional transport. But it misses all the other things that make Ghana great. Like the capital, Accra, a spirited city stuffed to the gills with red-hot food, nightlife and art. See Urban Grill, Afro-Latin fusion helmed by Andrew DiCataldo, of Manhattan’s once-loved Patria; rooftop club Carbon, owned by Nick House of Mahiki; and Gallery 1957, with its knack for edgy homegrown shows that blow up on social media. Then there’s the beaches: bonfire parties and street food at Accra’s own Labadi. Winter months are hot — temperatures average around 28°C — so you’ll be glad of a bracing Atlantic dip. Alright, there’s no Big Five, but there are safaris: walking with elephants, world-class birding, humpback-whale-watching. Plus there’s that handy hour’s time difference in common with South Africa, with only half the flight time.

    Where to stay: The soothing White Sands Beach Resort & Spa, an exclusive private members’ club just an hour’s drive from Accra.

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    Tangier, Marrakech

    Flight time: 3 hours 40 minutes from London
    When to go: March–May
    Average winter temperature: 17°C

    From the 1920s to the 1950s, port city Tangier was a playground for the maddest and baddest bohemians: Beat icons like Burroughs and Kerouac; glamorously demon-plagued playwrights from Tennessee Williams to Jean Genet. But it wasn’t just the romance of boxy white-washed buildings fanning along a too-blue African shoreline that brought them. The city’s status as a near-lawless ‘international zone’ made strong drugs, strong cocktails and other strongly sordid entertainments all-too-readily available. The Moroccan monarchy later enacted punishment: the city was left to rot. A new king and a new attitude have revived it, widespread restoration inviting a smarter vitality, where cafés-cum-bookshops and speakeasies retain a raffish-cool, without segueing into seedy. In a hilltop casbah, El Morocco Club is where the leisure class make easy work of looking beautiful while slurping oysters and sipping Mojitos. And though chaotic Marrakech isn’t short of designer riads to escape to, Tangier is an infinitely jauntier option, and with T-shirt temperatures to boot.

    Where to stay: Hôtel Nord Pinus is all handmade fabrics, traditional Fez tiles and antique furniture. 

    Read about our road trip in Morocco

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