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WHERE'S BEST FOR WINTER SUN WALKING HOLIDAYS?
The burning question: where's best for winter sun? Where's best for sun in January and February when we haven't had any in the UK for months? How far do you have to fly to find sunshine, warmth and sand, with wild landscapes and wonderful walking?
Browse below for a collection of the best winter sun walking holiday destinations, most within four hours flight time, many with no jet lag at all, and all the ideal tonic to the British winter.
Winter sun walking holidays in the Canary Islands
Spanish in ethos, African in location, the C anary Islands of Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma are not what you'd expect. Looming volcanoes, prehistoric sites, lush pine forests, lunar landscapes, sandy coves and miles of Sahara-style dunes are bathed in a 20⁰C glow during winter that's just right for a walking holidays geared up for exploring a world beyond the seafront resorts.
Best time to go to the Canary Islands: January to March
Flight time to the Canary Islands: 4 hours
Time difference: GMT
The Canary Islands
Winter Sun Walking Holidays
Revel in the warmth of the winter sun as you walk in the extraordinary and diverse landscapes of the Canaries. Step off the beaten track and uncover Spain’s dramatic landscapes, vivid cultures and warm welcome on a walking holiday.
Winter sun walking holidays in Portugal
The alluring coast of the Algarve receives a lot of exposure for its breathtaking cliffs, golden beaches, scalloped bays and sandy islands but there's no shortage of other attractions: the enchanting inner Algarve is home to pretty castle towns and historic villages, cork trees and flower-covered hillsides, birdlife and a network of walking trails that crisscross its breadth.
Best time to go to the Algarve: February to April
Flight time to the Algarve: 3 hours
Time difference: GMT
The Algarve & Madeira
Winter Sun Walking Holidays
Winter sun walking holidays in Malta & Gozo
These islands pack glorious variety into small spaces, making them great choices for winter sun walking holidays. On Malta you'll find prehistoric temples, fossil-studded cliffs, hidden coves and history of remarkable intensity. There are also 300 days of sunshine every year, and English is one of the official languages, making it easy to navigate. Gozo in turn offers secluded bays, the Inland Sea, Blue Lagoon and Calypso Cave to explore.
Best time to go to Malta & Gozo: December to March
Flight time to Malta: Around 3 hours
Time difference: GMT
Malta & Gozo
Winter Sun Walking Holidays
Winter sun walking holidays in Cape Verde
Fly just two hours more to discover one of the world's under-rated winter sun destinations. Hidden in the mid-Atlantic, Cape Verde is an African archipelago touched with European heritage, born of volcanic fury but as beautiful as it is mysterious. Between December and March it bathes in temperatures of 25⁰C, making it an ideal seasonal escape and the prefect winter sun walking holiday.
Best time to go to Cape Verde: November to February
Flight time to Cape Verde: Around 6 hours
Time difference: GMT -1
Cape Verde
Winter Sun Walking Holidays
Winter sun walking holidays in Cuba
Timeworn but magnificent, fun but frequently misunderstood, Cuba is a country of indefinable magic that is slowly awakening from a long slumber. Explore beyond the beaches on a guided walking holiday to find forests, coffee plantations, rugged mountains and revolutionary folklore that make going a bit further for winter sun all the more worthwhile.
Best time to go to Cuba: January to April
Flight time to Cuba: Around 11-13 hours
Time difference: GMT -4
