destinations

IT’S almost January, known by many as the most depressing month of the year.

So why not sack off the UK for one of these seven incredible destinations, all within four hours from the UK with very affordable flights.

Barcelona, Spain

Can you really go wrong with a trip to Barcelona?

A city break blended with beautiful beaches, not to mention it’s very flat and walkable.

There are plenty of cultural and historical attractions and of course the the iconic architecture like the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell.

Don’t forget to stop by Sant Pau a former hospital turned historical attraction, which is minutes away from the famous cathedral in the city centre, but much lesser-known.

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Our own Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding loves Las Ramblas – the iconic street that’s 1.5km covered in market stalls.

Some of her favourite spots are Casa Beethoven – essentially Harry Potter’s Ollivanders but for sheet music not wands, and La Boqueria market.

You can get to Barcelona for as little as £14.99 with Ryanair if you fly out on January 25, 2026 from London Stansted.

Baden-Baden, Germany

You won’t be getting January sun here, but Baden-Baden in southwest Germany is a great option for a city break.

The spa town is in Germany‘s Black Forest near its French border – and is famous for its thermal baths – and THAT summer in 2006 when England’s WAGS were arguably as famous as their footballer husbands during the World Cup.

Baden-Baden sits on top of a natural mineral-rich hot springs that bubble up from deep underground and you can enjoy them at the likes of the Caracalla Spa or the Friedrichsbad Spa.

At both, you can go swimming, check out the saunas, steam baths and treatment rooms.

For the more active, take a wander through the Lichtentaler Allee park, casino or take Germany’s steepest funicular railway up the Merkur Mountain.

You can fly from London Stansted to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden for £15 on January 30, 2026, with Ryanair.

Poznan, Poland

Poznan, the fifth largest city in Poland it sits by the Warta River and boasts a pretty colourful Old Town.

When you get there, wrap up warm and take a wander around the city starting at the Old Market Square, also known as Stary Rynek.

At noon, head over to the town hall where mechanical Billy Goats emerge from the clock tower and butt heads.

Ostrów Tumski is a huge cathedral which gives visitors an insight into how the region started in Poznań.

It’s home to some quirky things too, like a croissant museum which one Sun writer visited and even made his own version of the pastry.

While you’re there, have a taste of a Penerskie, which is a local beer made from potatoes.

With Wizz Air you can fly from London Luton to Poznan for £14.97 departing on January 19, 2026.

Sofia, Bulgaria

The capital of Bulgaria is in the west of the country and is filled with incredible landmarks like Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Rotunda of St. George.

You can take time to sightsee, take a break on Vitosha Boulevard which is filled with shops, cafes and restaurants or head up Vitosha Mountain on a hiking trail.

The city can be as little as three hours and 10 minutes from the UK, so it’s no wonder one man even took an extreme day trip to Sofia after bagging a return flight for £43.

He spent the day exploring the city using a self-guided tour on his phone and picked up local treats like a pastry called a banitsa and stopped for a sit down meal too.

You can fly to Sofia in Bulgaria from London Stansted on January 20, 2026 from £16.99

Carcassonne, France

The city of Carcassonne in France is famous for its citadel and castle

that look like it belongs in the medieval period – it’s even said to be one of the best preserved medieval ensembles in the world.

Inside the old town are winding old streets and grand Château Comtal and Basilique Saint Nazaire.

To learn more about the history of Carcassonne, visitors can take tours during the day and at night.

There’s also the new town to explore called Bastide Saint Louis which has an impressive local wine scene, museums and plenty of shops.

Brits can fly directly Manchester to Carcassonne on January 26, 2026 with Ryanair from £16.99.

Naples, Italy

Naples, the pretty southern city in Italy known for its pretty ruins, vibrant street life and more importantly, pizza.

The city is considered the birthplace of pizza – it evolved from simple flatbreads sold to the working poor in the 18th century to the tasty meal we know today.

When one Sun writer visited the city, she discovered you can buy margarita pizzas for as little as £3.

Naples also has a Spanish quarter where you can see sites like Piazza del Plebiscito and Castel Nuovo and try some different cuisine.

If you fancy a longer trip or heading out to the city, from Naples you can easily reach destinations like the historical Pompeii, Capri, or the Amalfi Coast.

You can fly from London Stansted to Naples on January 10, 2026 from £15 with Ryanair.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava in Slovakia is pretty small for a European capital, but that doesn’t mean there’s any less to do.

It has bright pastel coloured buildings along small cobbled roads lined with cafes and restaurants.

One of the most famous buildings to visit in the city is Bratislava castle.

It has four corner towers and stands on an isolated rocky hill of the Little Carpathians, directly above the Danube river.

Tourists can also check out the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, Blue Church, plus enjoying Slovak food like Bryndzové Halušky which are potato dumplings with cheese and bacon.

You can fly to Bratislava on January 11, 2026 from Manchester from £16.99 with Ryanair.

All prices are correct as of December 22, 2025.

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BRITISH Airways Holidays has revealed what travel will look like in 2026 – from new destinations to trending trips.

Teaming up with Globetrender, it has released its 2026 Travel Trends Report.

They have named eight of their “rising stars” which have seen a surge in searches for 2026 compared to 2025.

The biggest jump is Bermuda, which has seen a 38 per cent increase in searches.

This was followed by St Kitts (31 per cent), Turks & Caicos (22 per cent) and Grenada (20 per cent).

Yet some of Europe made the list, with searches to Crete up 18 per cent.

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Otherwise Costa Rica (15 per cent), Nashville (13 per cent) and Antigua (8 per cent) are on the up too.

The most popular search destinations are some of the more well-known destinations, set to remain big in 2026:

1. New York
2. Orlando
3. Dubai
4. Maldives
5. Barbados
6. Las Vegas
7. Cancun
8. St Lucia
9. Dominican Republic
10. Antigua

Along with destinations, they also looked at some of the trend when it comes to what kinds of holidays people are booking.

This includes Stream Parks (theme parks combining physical attractions with AR) and Neurosurfing (more wellness based holidays).

Andrew Flintham, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays, said: “I always look forward to what our annual Travel Trends Report will reveal.

“It’s clear the prevailing interest in wellness culture is continuing to impact the way we holiday, with many of our trends leaning into this overarching movement.

“I wasn’t too surprised to learn of The Valueverse, and the ever-increasing demand for new ways to collect and spend points. We’re excited to make these trends a reality for our customers.”

Globetrender founder Jenny Southan added: “In a world shaped by economic pressure, digital saturation and rising social fragmentation,
holidays are becoming spaces of transformation – opportunities for people to test new identities, restore mental balance and discover forms of joy that everyday routines suppress.

“This shift marks a profound redefinition of what a holiday is for: not just escape, but expansion.

“The findings in this report show a British traveller who is more experimental.”

Here are 10 other destinations set to be big next year, according to Skyscanner.

We’ve also revealed how to take six holidays in 2026 for under £1,000, all in.

And there are some places to avoid for a holiday next year – here’s the full list.

WANTED to try out life in a new country but don’t have the cash?

One stunning village in Tuscany is hoping to attract new residents, by offering to pay for their accommodation.

The local authority will cover half your rent for the first two years – and there’s an incentive for buyers too.

Tucked away on a hilltop in Tuscany is a little town called Radicondoli.

It has winding cobbled streets, stone houses and is surrounded by green fields.

What’s even better is that the local authority wants to encourage people to move there – and will even cover some rent.

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The plan to boost residents means the authority will cover half of the first two years’ rent for new residents who move in by early 2026 – if you want more details, take a look here.

For those wanting a more permanent move, Radicondoli offers grants to help with the cost of purchasing a property.

There is one catch however, as buyers have to commit to living there for 10 years, while renters have to stay for four.

Available homes range from apartments with one or two bedrooms all the way up to dreamy Tuscan farmhouses.

For anyone keen on an idyllic move, you’ll have to indulge in a quiet life as the town is in the middle of the countryside.

There are still a few places to pop into, like the local Piazza that serves up dishes like beef carpaccio., truffle Taglioni and Pappardelle with duck ragu.

Another serves up Pomodoro with mozzarella and salami, calzones and a variety of wines.

There’s also a beer hall, bakery, electrician, a shop selling handmade ceramics and a few B&B options.

For those who like a bit more going on, from Radicondoli, you can reach cities like Florence in an hour by car or Pisa in two hours.

The province of Siena has medieval buildings and a fan-shaped square called Piazza del Campo.

The region of Tuscany itself is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations.

Stats for 2023 revealed that there were over 52million overnight stays within the region.

Within the region are plenty of cities like Pisa, Siena, Lucca and Florence – which alone attractions over 10million visitors each year.

Flights don’t have to cost a lot either, in July 2026, one-way flights start from £38 with Vueling.

Travel Writer Hope Brotherton went on a Tuscan adventure last year where she discovered great food and historical excursions.

She said: “I’m spending my morning at Fattoria di Maiano, a sprawling farm on the outskirts of Florence that forms part of Italy’s largest botanical garden.

“Returning to Florence, there’s even time for one more tasting, this time at Villa Travignoli, a short drive from the farm. Sitting on a terracotta balcony overlooking the Fiesole Hills, I couldn’t think of a better spot to sample four glasses of Tuscan wine.

“With subtle hints of strawberry, the rosé had to be my favourite — and you can bet one found its way into my suitcase.

“After my six-hour outing in the Tuscan countryside, I arrived back in Florence, where I marvelled at the magnificent Duomo cathedral and strolled along the banks of Arno River, with its stone bridges such as the Ponte Vecchio.

“I grabbed dinner at eclectic Trattoria Zà Zà — the portion sizes are huge and I thoroughly recommend the parmigiana.

“And for a restful night’s stay, book a room at Hotel La Casa di Morfeo. Just a ten-minute walk from the centre, the rooms have all the essentials and the breakfast buffet is enough to keep anyone going.”

Plus, check out this other Italian town that’s selling houses for €1 and you don’t even have to pay a big deposit.

To relax on holiday, you can now stay in the Spanish villa designed by Alan Carr and Amanda Holden for just £28 each a night.

A LAND of lochs, monumental mountains and breathtaking beaches, Scotland is an unforgettable holiday destination. 

Whether you’re keen to relax by the sea, trek through glens, take the family to a country park or savour this nation’s brilliant cuisine, there’s something for everyone. 

So the hardest question on your upcoming £9.50 Holiday will be: where to visit first?

Families wanting to explore the local area will have stacks of choice. 

You could start with a gentle steam train ride through the countryside, with the likes of Strathspey Steam Railway sure to put a smile on your child’s face.

Need to up the ante? Older kids can test their courage with adrenaline-pumping activities like the Highland Fling bungee jump in Killiecrankie or burn off steam at Pirate Pete’s adventure play park in Ayr.

Taking your brood to a country park like Eglinton is another great way of letting them run off excess energy – and it has the added bonus of being completely free to visit.

Other top-rated free things to do in Scotland include hiking up Arthur’s Seat and visiting the National Museum of Scotland, both in Edinburgh, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

If you want a deeper dive into nature, you could head to one of the country’s two National Parks – at Loch Lomond and Cairngorms – which are packed with nature trails. 

For a route that’s loaded with history, try the outdoor “museum without walls” Cateran Ecomuseum.

It features ancient Pictish stones and the Cateran Trail, which you can explore by foot, bike or car. 

Alternatively, try and catch a glimpse of the famous Loch Ness Monster at Loch Ness – the world’s largest lake by volume.

Prefer to bask by the beach (weather permitting)? Then you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

With over 11,000 miles of coastline including its islands, Scotland has some of the UK’s best beaches, with Camusdarach Beach on the west coast and Gullane Bents, East Lothian, among those highly rated. 

Sun readers also have their own favourite Scottish beaches, from the near-deserted shores of Embo Beach in the Highlands to the family-friendly sands at Silver Sands near Lossiemouth. 

And with so many beautiful lochs, you also have freshwater beaches including the UK’s highest beach at Loch Morlich (318m). 

Beach days can be filled with buckets and spades, sea swimming or trying a raft of activities such as paddleboarding (do it off the coast of Nairn, and you could spot the resident pod of dolphins).

A swim in nature doesn’t have to be by the sea – with wild swimming spots that include river pools in the Highlands and “Rob Roy’s Bathtub”, a massive plunge pool fed by the Falls of Falloch.

You can also explore Scotland’s incredible lochs by kayak or paddleboard, with Priory Island on Loch Tay a fantastic option for an adventure without any crowds. 

When it’s time to refuel, Scotland has everything from sea view restaurants to cheap and cheerful cafes, like Doon the Beach, a community cafe just behind Stevenson Beach, and Milk Bar in Inverness. 

Keen to sample local flavours? Get your fill of everything from hearty haggis to Cullen Sink – a soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions – at somewhere like Garden Cafe Pitlochry.

And no trip to Scotland would be complete without a wee dram. 

There are traditional pubs aplenty, like The Auld Smiddy Inn in Pitlochry, as well as distilleries like the Blair Athol Distillery where you can learn more about the process of making the tipple on an organised tour.

January can be a great month to take a holiday as prices drop and there are plenty of destinations that are both hot and affordable.

Winter has arrived bringing with it dark, chilly and damp days. Whilst Christmas can inject some festive spirit into these dreary months, there’s still a considerable wait until spring makes its appearance.

Plenty of people will already be dreaming about their summer getaway, but if you’re unable to hold out that long, there are numerous destinations within easy reach of the UK that can deliver the sunshine you’re longing for.

January can prove to be an ideal time for travel, as holiday spots offer budget-friendly prices that allow you to kick off your new year in style.

A travel guru has highlighted four locations you can jet off to from the UK for “winter sun on a January budget”.

TikTok travel specialist Robonthebeach has revealed four of his personal top picks that Brits can escape to in the new year. He’s suggested destinations that are both warm and wallet-friendly.

As reported by the Express, Rob said: “January is one of my favourite months to book a holiday. Everyone’s skint, everyone’s cold, flights are quiet and the prices in a lot of destinations drop way lower than you’d expect.”

He examined January weather conditions, booking trends and pricing to compile his recommendations for a “warm, good value holiday next month”.

Madeira

Kicking off Rob’s suggestions are the Portuguese islands of Madeira. The four-island archipelago lies off the northwest coast of Africa and is renowned for its wine, pleasant temperatures and subtropical climate.

Rob pointed out that whilst January won’t bring scorching temperatures, visitors can still enjoy pleasant sunny conditions hovering around 19C to 20C. He described it as “one of the most gorgeous coastlines in Europe” and managed to find a bargain at £330 per person departing from Dublin, including flights and bed and breakfast.

Tenerife

The biggest of the Canary Islands offers consistently warm weather even during January, with temperatures reaching 22C to 23C and daily sunshine. Rob demonstrated the destination’s affordability by discovering a seven-night self-catering package from Liverpool for just £260 per person.

His personal tip was to base yourself in Costa Adeje, which he praised for being “sheltered, warm [with] loads going on”.

Sharm El Sheikh

This Egyptian resort town is celebrated for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. Rob enthused: “If you want actual summer in January, this is it. You’re looking at 24C to 27C here, blue sky every single day and water that’s like a bath.”

He tracked down an all-inclusive seven-night package with flights from Luton for a mere £225 per person. “If you want heat for cheap, this is the one,” he declared.

Miami

Rob confessed this pick is his “wildcard” but insisted that with the right offer, it can still represent excellent value for a winter escape. He located seven nights at a Miami Beach hotel with indirect flights from Heathrow for £605 per person.

The travel guru remarked: “For Miami beach in January, peak sunshine season, that’s pretty nuts.” Miami’s weather sits at a balmy 25C to 27C.