With the heatwave a distant memory, and energy bills creeping up, you might well be wondering where on earth you could afford to go for a hot holiday over the worst of the winter months…
Where can I get some winter sun without breaking the bank?
To escape the grey skies of the UK winter on a budget, you need to look to all-inclusive deals and destinations that inherently offer great value. We have done the research, and considered the pros and cons to bring you the trending destinations for a bargain winter break in the sun!
Our winner: Hurghada, Egypt
Hurghada, Egypt CC0
Cost: £
You can bag a 7-night all-inclusive for as little as £250 per person!
Weather: hot and dry
Expect mid-to-high twenties, and virtually no chance of rain. The sea is still a comfortable temperature for swimming, snorkelling and diving. In the evening the temperatures do drop, so while you will have warm days, it will not come with hot balmy nights.
Things to do: beach, desert, shopping, sightseeing
It’s all about the water here! Diving, snorkelling, and relaxing on the beach are a must, but don’t fear, Hurghada also has vibrant local markets to explore, El Dahar is the old town area and traditional souk of Hurghada; a thriving nightlife whether you want to “go clubbing”, dance to some disco, or hit a karaoke bar; or you can make the most of exploring the natural beauty of the area with a desert safari.
If you don’t mind a bit of a tour, and the associated cost, you could also opt to take a 5 hour trip to Luxor where you can visit The Valley of the Kings, a must-see destination that gets you up-close to burial chambers and tombs, including that of the famed Pharaoh Tutankhamen.
Runner up: Tenerife
El Medano, Tenerife © Kerry McCarthy
Cost: ££
A 7-night all-inclusive can be found for as little as £350pp as long as you are travelling outside of the school holidays, after that prices jump even for budget breaks to around £1,000!
Weather: warm, dry, windy on the east coast
Head to the south and you are likely to get slightly warmer temperatures than the north of the island, but it will be unlikely to get above low twenties in the day. Top spots are El Medano on the south-east coast, a sought-after and very on-trend surf-spot (and a favourite destination of mine), and touristy resorts along the south coast such as Playas de las Americas, and Los Cristianos.
Things to do: volcanoes, water parks, beaches, watersports
Mount Teide is a must, there are fabulous excursions up this volcanic wonder by coach, buggy, on foot, quad bike… during the day, and at night – great for star-gazing! Siam Water Park is an adrenaline-packed place to go – featuring the world’s biggest man-made wave, and a 28 metre vertical plunge through a shark-tank. Thankfully the park also offers Traditional Thai Massage. All in all, just as much for grown-ups not just for kids! Wherever you are in Tenerife you aren’t far from a beautiful black volcanic beach where you can catch some summer sun. El Medano especially is a great place if you want to windsurf!
Other destinations to consider:
Agadir, Morocco
- £400pp for 7-night all-inclusive
- Temperatures are comfortable and in the low twenties, dry, but chilly at night
- Fill your days with lounging by the pool and taking a dip in the sea. Or you can adventure in the desert by quad bike or camel. It is much more resort-like than places like Marrakesh, so for traditional historic architecture and sightseeing you’d have to adventure to another part of Morocco.
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
- £500pp for 7-night all-inclusive
- Temperatures comfortable in low to mid twenties, but slightly warmer in the evening than Agadir.
- Budget-conscious travellers who love the outdoors will have a packed itinerary! Dunas de Maspalomas is like a slice of the Sahara, stretching for 6km along the southern coast. Do be aware that the middle section (between Maspalomas Lighthouse and Playa del Ingles) is a space for naturists. If Mountains are your thing, visit Nublo Natural Park and hike Roque Nublo, a volcanic monolith that delivers spectacular views at the peak. And for a bit of culture, outside of Las palmas, head to the picturesque and beautifully quaint harbour village of Puerto de Mogán where the houses are just as colourful as the blooming bougainvillaeas!
Image by nextvoyage CC0
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