27C

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Canary Islands for some winter sun, these little-known islands are just a six-hour flight away and have year-round warm weather

Now that the clocks have gone back and autumn is in full swing, many of us will be back to craving some sunshine. While we often associate winter sun breaks with long flights and far-flung destinations, there is a new destination that’s becoming increasingly popular – and it’s just a six-hour flight from London.

Often dubbed ‘the new Canary Islands’ because of their year-round sunshine, Cape Verde is becoming a popular spot in December and January for those looking for an alternative to Spanish resorts.

It’s recently become a more accessible destination for Brits, with easyJet launching flights to the archipelago in March of this year. It marked the budget airline’s first route into Sub-Saharan Africa and one of its longest flights to date.

The islands, which sit off the west coast of Africa, welcomed an estimated 1.2 million visitors in 2024, however, this number is a fraction of the tourist numbers of the Canaries. Tenerife alone had approximately seven million visitors in the same year, meaning Cape Verde has less of a touristy vibe.

The main draw to the islands is arguably the pleasant weather. While January is the coldest month in Cape Verde, it still regularly hits 27C during the day, with six to eight hours of sunshine and little chance of rain. By comparison, Tenerife sits around the 17 to 22C mark during this time, gets around six hours of sun, but can be cloudy and have short showers.

If you fly on easyJet, you’ll arrive in Sal, an island with a volcanic desert landscape. Most visitors stay in Santa Maria in the south of the island, known for its long sandy beaches with turquoise seas. The town has a relaxed vibe, with palm tree-lined streets. When the sun goes down, there’s lively nightlife that includes live music and beach bars.

Visitors can enjoy activities such as windsurfing, take a boat out to spot sharks, or visit the defunct Pedra Lume salt mine, which sits in an extinct volcano. They can tour the historic mines before taking a revitalising mud bath and floating in the saline pools that are said to leave their skin feeling amazing.

Of course, you don’t need to stay on Sal for your entire trip. A three-hour ferry ride away is Boa Vista, which has a handful of resorts. This less-visited island has spectacular white sand beaches where you may spot turtles coming into shore.

Head out on a quad bike tour and enjoy the desert landscapes, or sail away on a catamaran to enjoy the best beaches. In the north of the island, you can also visit the shipwrecked MS Cabo Santa Maria, which has sat in the waters since 1968 and offers an interesting spot for photos.

EasyJet holidays’ CCO Paul Bixby said “Cape Verde is a fantastic destination, providing year-round sunshine and white sandy beaches. That’s why we’re thrilled to be offering our brilliant package holidays, whether it’s a family looking for a resort to enjoy with kids, or a couple looking for adults-only luxury, we have a great range of fantastic resorts across the island of Sal.”

When it comes to hotels, there are plenty of options from basic and comfortable to all-inclusive resorts. The Meliá Llana Beach Resort & Spa, which is adults-only and offers all-inclusive packages, has excellent reviews. One guest said: “The resort itself is beautiful, a true oasis of tranquillity and style.” The hotel also offers swim-up rooms for those who love to lounge by the pool.

A family-friendly option is the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort, which is in a prime location on the lively Ponta Sino, which is a popular kitesurfing spot. One visitor said in a review: “A lovely stay at Hilton Sal Cabo Verde and would certainly return again. Great location and friendly staff. Extremely clean and good choice of food. Rooms are a great size with comfy beds.”

EasyJet currently has flights available from London Gatwick to Sal on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with January dates starting at £111.99 each way. Their current package deals include a 7-night all inclusive break at Sol Dunas Family Fun, departing January 7 2026, from £843 per person. This price is based on two people sharing a double room.

If you fancy escaping the wind, rain and gloomy mornings this half term there’s a beautiful, Mediterranean island lined with stunning beaches where the sun is still shining

The long hot days of summer are well and truly behind us and after being spoiled with numerous heatwaves this year, the cold nip of autumn may be biting a little more fiercely than usual.

As half term approaches, the dark and early school starts could be starting to take their toll on the kids too. Tired from the stresses of their new routines with different teachers and classes, a trip away may be just what the whole family needs.

If the thought of some late October sun appeals before the madness of Christmas descends and the UK weather gets even colder, there are places where the temperatures still remain pleasantly warm.

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Located south of Turkey and southeast of Greece, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. While many other tourist hotspots have already closed or are winding down for the winter, the main resorts here are still open in at this time of year.

This makes it the ideal place to head off for half term for some much needed rest and relaxation. The weather should also be on your side too because it’s one of the warmest places in this part of the European Union thanks to its subtropical climate.

The summer generally lasts eight months from April through to November, and temperatures during October can reach 28C or higher on occasion. Even in the cooler four months, it’s possible to enjoy 20C. Coastal areas in December are blessed with as many hours of sunshine as London gets in May on average, so sun seekers are certainly well catered for.

Luckily there is more than 400 miles of coastline to enjoy as well where you can partake in some water sports, watch the world go by in the many beachside bars and indulge in the delicious local cuisine at the numerous restaurants.

Resorts make the most of their sun-soaked climate and welcome holidaymakers late into the season. In high summer, the beaches in Protaras and Ayia Napa are heaving in but by this time of year they are much calmer, so great for families to make the most of with the sea temperature averaging around 24C.

Those with younger children or elderly travellers may prefer the sandy, tranquil beach of Fig Tree Bay in Protaras where it’s possible to explore the beautiful turquoise waters with a spot of snorkelling or on a boat trip. Limassol offers a long stretch of gorgeous coastline with some Blue Flag beaches and a stunning marina.

On the East Coast restaurants and kids’ clubs in Paphos and Limassol are still running and lively. For children who are too old for hotel clubs and making sandcastles, there’s plenty to entertain them too. The island has lots of water and amusement parks. Party town Ayia Napa is home to a number, with the Greek mythology-themed WaterWorld being the most famous, while the naturally landscaped Aphrodite Waterpark is situated in Paphos.

If culture is more your thing, or you want to enlighten the kids a little on their break, you can soak up the rich history of Cyprus, birthplace of Aphrodite, by visiting some of the many churches in Larnaca or relics from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras The Tombs of the Kings is definitely worth a look. The UNESCO World Heritage Site offers visitors a glimpse into the mysterious burial practices in underground tombs dating back to the 4th century.

Recent visitors to Cyprus have shared their experiences on TripAdvisor, with one advising on the weather during autumn. “We have been four times to Paphos in October,” they wrote. “The temperature in mid October in the early afternoon has been around 28 degrees with beautiful blue skies. We have been able to eat outside in the early evening and used a pashmina later.

“Could still swim in the pool but it was a bit chilly. The sea, however, was fine to swim in.” Another added: “We’re always there mid-October and it’s lovely – still short sleeves in the evenings.”

One Greek island in the northwest Aegean Sea is famed for its gorgeous weather – even in September.

This stunning little Greek island could be your ideal paradise if you’re seeking a September escape.

As temperatures start to drop across the UK, many Britons will longingly begin contemplating warmer destinations.

Greece remains a beloved holiday retreat for British travellers – and one petite island enjoys glorious weather with September temperatures averaging a pleasant 25C and peak daytime highs reaching 27C.

However, what the charming island of Skiathos in the northwest Aegean Sea is truly renowned for is serving as the backdrop to the enormously successful film Mamma Mia!, reports the Express.

Skiathos features an incredible 60 beaches with sparkling azure waters alongside dense pine woodlands. There’s also a vibrant nightlife scene offering a wealth of culinary hotspots, pubs and nightclubs.

Thanks to its proximity to the airport, beach visitors on the island can also watch commercial aircrafts soaring mere metres overhead.

Greek tourism platform Visit Greece described the island as “paradise on earth” and stated: “Skiathos [is] the most cosmopolitan island in the Northern Sporades.”

The tourism website also noted: “The island is picturesque, unspoilt and blessed with more than 60 beautifully crystal clear waters and beaches.

“The most famous is Koukounaries, which is considered as the third most beautiful beach in the Mediterranean. When you add in its bustling nightlife, it is only natural that the island attracts thousands of young visitors every year!”

Travel bloggers are equally smitten with the destination, with one delighted visitor describing the island as “postcard perfect”.

Lynsey from travel blog lynseysnotebook.co.uk said: “For my first introduction to Greece, Skiathos could not have been more perfect.

“I took ages to decide where I wanted to visit for my first trip to Greece – Rhodes and Zante both looked beautiful – but Skiathos has an authentic charm that I couldn’t resist.”

She added: “While Mamma Mia certainly put Skiathos on the map, it still retains its authenticity and simplicity.”

Meanwhile, travellers have flocked to review website Tripadvisor to rave about this breathtaking destination. One declared that Koukounaries beach has “got to be the best beach in Greece”.