Top 5 winter sun holiday hotspots

Blue Monday - the year's most depressing day - may have been and gone, but we're still in those cold months when the weather is getting us down. There’s a lot to be said for escaping the damp chill of the UK winter, so why not get away?

To help you choose your sun-dappled destination, here are our top 5 winter holiday hotspots.

1. The Canaries

Volcanoes, lush pine forests, camel trekking, water sports and the chance to lounge on a beach - the Canaries tick all the winter sun boxes. And all just four hours from London! 

The Canaries offer plenty to keep you interested as you top up your tan. The more adventurous might consider trekking Tenerife's ‘Barranco de Masca’, a spectacular gorge with 400m high walls, and Fuerteventura's constant wind makes it a mecca for windsurfers. If it’s underwater fun you’re after, the Canaries are the place to go. Who knows, you might even see an endangered loggerhead turtle. 

2. Morocco

The medieval medina at Marrakech is an experience you’ll never forget. Lose yourself in the 3000 winding ‘derbs’ or alleyways, a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and smells. In winter, the days are warm but you’ll need to wrap up warm at night.

Morocco has a vast amount to offer the culture-seeking tourist and there is some fantastic accommodation to be had outside the main holiday season. Winter is a great time to get a deal on a hotel room, or to try one of the many traditional Moroccan 'Riads', bed and breakfasts that offer a real taste of Moroccan hospitality and culture. 

3. Goa

100 kilometres of beaches, temperatures in the 30s and a predominance of dry weather make Goa a superb winter sun choice. If it’s the legendary party scene you’re into, head to the beaches to the north. For a more relaxed beach trip, go south.

Nature-lovers, board a bumpy bus and ride inland to the wildlife reservations and spice farms. Feeling adventurous? Just 60 km from the capital lies the Bagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can trek to India’s second highest waterfall, Dudhsagar Falls. And don’t overlook Panaji where you can visit some of Goa's best restaurants in the old Portuguese quarter, and go shopping at Anjuna’s Wednesday flea market.

4. Cape Town

Set against the backdrop of the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town boasts white sand beaches as well as stunning flora and fauna. Make sure you book ahead for this inspiring destination, because winter is peak season here and accommodation can be limited. 

It's a must to take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for the spectacular view, then go for a wine-tasting tour of one of the city's many vineyards. Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront offers world-class restaurants and a wealth of art galleries, artisan boutiques and street performance. You can also catch a tour to the infamous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was jailed.

5. New Zealand

If you have a few weeks to spend on your winter holiday, New Zealand is really hard to beat. After all, where else could you sunbathe, surf, trek and ski, all in the same day? 

The North Island offers subtropical temperatures, whilst the South boasts an alpine climate. For Northern adventure why not visit the Bay of Islands? It’s the perfect place for a beach holiday, a sailing adventure or a swim with wild dolphins. South Island’s Queen’s Town is synonymous with high-octane adventure, from bungee jumping to zorbing, glacier tours to snow sports.