By Dana Perkiss
Looking to escape the cold? Here are some of our travel experts’ top picks for the best warm-weather destinations to holiday!
Gibraltar
This British Overseas Territory boasts a reliable Mediterranean climate and tons of sun, promising nice weather any time you visit Gibraltar. Along with its beautiful beaches, visitors can also find many other great things to do in Gibraltar. Its main attraction is the Rock of Gibraltar, where Barbary macaques (monkeys) reside as well as St Michael's Cave.
One of the best parts about a holiday in Gibraltar is that you can even stay on one of the world’s only five-star luxury yachts – the Sunborn Gibraltar. This 142-metre-long floating hotel provides lavishly decorated rooms with great amenities like a pool, spa, and casino.
Greece
The cradle of Western civilization is a wonderful destination to holiday any time of the year, though the most sun will be shining between June and September. Amazing beach holidays can be found on many of the islands particularly Corfu, Halkidiki, and Santorini where plenty of 5-star hotels in Greece reside.
In addition to beaches, travellers of all kinds can enjoy the ancient history that permeates throughout the country. History lover or not, everyone should visit the historic sites of the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens, among many others. During any trip to Greece, you will also be able to indulge in the delicious flavours of Greek cuisine and wine.
Portugal
Famous for its fresh seafood dishes, beautiful beach destinations, Fado music, and so much more, Portugal is a wonderful place to holiday for any traveller. With a coastline that fronts the Atlantic Ocean, the summers have a warm Mediterranean climate and the winters provide plenty of sunshine.
Visitors can explore the historic city of Lisbon with its yellow trams and friendly locals, or indulge in the wine country of the Douro Valley. Wine connoisseurs would enjoy tasting fine Port wines in Porto, famous in the region, or heading to Sintra to marvel at fairytale-like castles and majestic pines. The Algarve and Azores regions are a must if you’re looking for the best beaches in Portugal, particularly on São Miguel Island which is also home to the otherworldly Sete Cidades.
Malta
Did you know that the sun shines a staggering 300 days a year in Malta? Soak up the warmth of this Mediterranean country whether during its glorious summers or remarkably mild winters – it doesn’t matter because there is never a bad time to visit Malta.
Featuring a wonderful balance of culture, cuisine, and beaches, Malta is a tiny treasure with tons to offer. The capital, Valletta, is one of the top destinations to visit in Malta with vibrant energy and historical landmarks. Gozo and Mdina are other popular cities, particularly for those looking to visit Game of Thrones filming locations. Additionally, some of the best beaches and shopping opportunities can be found in the charming coastal town of Sliema.
Dubai
With a subtropical desert climate, Dubai offers mildly warm winters and hot summers, making it a particularly great winter holiday destination. This city is known for its luxury with shining skyscrapers, lavish shopping, fine dining, and elegant five-star hotels.
Visitors can splurge on shopping at the expansive Dubai Mall, get their adrenaline racing with thrilling activities like a Desert Safari, or take pictures of the tallest building in the world: Burj Khalifa. There are also many beaches in Dubai like Umm Suqeim Beach and Al Mamzar beach, as well as the artificial islands known as Palm Islands.
Egypt
Since it is located in the desert, Egypt’s climate is quite dry and hot. It offers a mild winter season with temperatures reaching 0°C at night and 18°C during the day. It is a wonderful time to take a Nile River Cruise or holiday in the best beach destinations in Egypt like Sharm El-Sheikh, where you will find gorgeous five-star all-inclusive resorts.
Although Egypt’s fascinating history is probably the top reason people like to visit – dating all the way back to 3500 BC, one truly feels like they are travelling back in time in Egypt – but it’s still a great destination for those simply looking to relax on the beach.
