As sunset creeps closer to the end of the working day plenty of Brits are dreaming of a dose of vitamin D to top up the tan and start the new year with a healthy glow. While long-haul winter bargains seem to be a thing of the past as flight prices surge, a rise in mid-length flights – under six hours long – hold the promise of trading winter blues for turquoise oceans on holidays that don’t require journeys to far-flung destinations halfway across the world. From active holidays on mountainous Madeira to beach bathing on Egypt’s sandy shores, there are plenty of inviting climates to make a beeline for during the post-Christmas slump, and they aren’t necessarily going to break the bank.
With direct flights linking the often-dreary UK to north African hotspots and tried and tested Spanish islands, here are the sun-drenched destinations to escape to this winter. Read more: The winter sun destination bouncing back with stunning beaches and no jet lag Flight time: 5h 30m Egypt’s year-round balmy climate with highs of 22C in December and seven sunshine hours make it the place to go for a warm winter holiday. Head to Hurghada , a hotspot for tourists in the eastern Sahara desert , for family-friendly resorts with shallow sea shelves teeming with underwater treasures.
And it’s a less-than-six-hour flight away from the UK – that’s not even three reruns of The Little Mermaid ...
EasyJet offers an all-inclusive five-night stay at Labranda Royal Makadi from £651pp, inc.
