sunshine

Cyprus is just a four-and-a-half hour flight from London and offers year-round sunshine, with flowers beginning to bloom in March

Brits seeking a sun-soaked escape might want to consider this English-speaking island, just a short hop from the UK and basking in a cosy 22C during winter. Just a four-and-a-half hour flight from London, this Mediterranean jewel provides a much-needed respite from the UK’s current frosty, damp weather.

With sunshine all year round and flowers starting to blossom in March, Cyprus is an excellent pick for families, with plenty of family-friendly hotels on offer. The island also boasts a variety of activities, from hiking trails to exploring cultural and historical landmarks.

Winter brings fewer tourists, making it the ideal time to visit popular sites without the long queues, reports the Express.

Party animals will be attracted to Ayia Napa, one of Europe’s premier party hotspots, while those in search of relaxation can soak up the island’s 300 days of annual sunshine.

A journey into the Troodos Mountains reveals breathtaking landscapes and a charming village tucked away in the valley below.

In an unexpected turn of events, there’s even a ski resort nestled within the Troodos Mountain Range.

Open from January to March, it’s situated on Mount Olympus. Holidaymakers can drive up to the slopes, which offer several picturesque viewpoints along the way.

Tucked away in the valley is the village of Omodos, packed with eateries serving traditional cuisine – the perfect end to a day of mountain trekking.

The village is also home to a monastery that welcomes visitors for tours. A local fortified sweet wine, commandaria, is a favourite in the area and can be found on locals’ doorsteps for €2-€5 (£1.61-£4.23).

Another must-see is Nicosia, Cyprus’ divided capital.

Following the 1974 civil war, the island was split into two states: the Greek Republic of Southern Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The border, known as the ‘green line’, runs through Nicosia, making it the only divided capital city in the world. Tourists can cross the border at several points.

Other attractions include underwater waterfall hikes, a turtle conservation station, Aphrodite’s Rock, the Tombs of the Kings, snorkelling adventures, Akamas Peninsula National Park, castles and even a wellness retreat.

A travel expert has shared four of her top picks for those looking to book a winter getaway in search of some sun and escaping the cold – with ‘dazzling hidden gems’ around the world

After such a long hot summer, some people may not be able to wave goodbye to the warm weather yet – and may already be seeking a winter getaway for some more sun.

Reports show that searches for ‘winter breaks in the sun’ have increased by +5000% in the past 30 days, with travellers on the hunt for last-minute winter breaks and Heather Green, Head of Product at Sovereign Luxury Travel, shares four of the best luxury winter sun destinations to book ahead of winter 2025.

It’s no surprised Brits struggling with the bitter winter cold are dreaming of golden beaches, balmy temperatures and tropical landscapes, so the travel expert has shared her top picks.

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“Winter sun destinations provide a contrast to the grey UK winter, with their tropical warmth, golden beaches, and sense of escape that feels like a welcome break from the everyday.”

Firstly, she recommends Tenerife, Spain and said: “The Canary Islands have long been a favourite for UK holidaymakers thanks to their year-round sunshine, but visiting in winter gives you the chance to enjoy them at a gentler pace, without the crowds.”

It’s the largest island in the Canary Island and offers everything from azure seas and sandy beaches to charming towns, with winter temperatures that hover around a pleasant 20–25 degrees.

Next, the expert suggested Anse Le Raie, Mauritius. Calling it one of the most “dazzling hidden gems”. “If a chic Indian Ocean escape is what you’re after, Mauritius is an inspired choice, and Anse La Raie on the island’s northern coast is one of its most dazzling hidden gems.

“Even in winter, temperatures remain warm and inviting at around 26–27 degrees, making it ideal for sun-drenched days on white-sand beaches and windsurfing across calm turquoise waters,” Heather explained.

Another top destination hailed by Heather is the Maldives. It remains as one of the world’s most sought-after winter sun spots, and with temperatures averaging 27 to 30 degrees, Heather said “days are best spent snorkelling among technicolour coral reefs, sailing out on sunset cruises to watch dolphins, or unwinding with overwater spa treatments.”

Finally, the expert also suggested Riviera Maya, Mexico, calling it a “rewarding choice”. She noted: “Along the Riviera Maya, winter temperatures stay between 24 and 28 degrees, perfect for long days on 30 kilometres of white sand and swimming in the calm Caribbean waters.

“Just offshore lies the world’s second-largest coral reef, where snorkelling and diving reveal an underwater world of vivid marine life.”

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In July and August, many parts of southern Europe and the Med are too hot and too crowded for comfort. But as summer turns to autumn it’s not just the temperature that drops – prices are lower too, and visitors get to experience a gentler, more relaxed side to places as the season starts to wind down. We’d love to hear about your favourite late-season sunshine escapes.

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A tiny European island which boats transparent waters, balmy weather and swaying palm trees is giving the Maldives a run for it’s money thanks to it’s idyllic setting

Choosing your holiday getaway can take a lot of time and planning and if you’re after a white sandy beach and crystal clear waters – you’ll more than likely have to jump on a long-haul flight. However people have been raving about a tiny Balearic island, and are comparing it to being the ‘Maldives of the Meditarranean’.

Formentera promises the same sunny weather, palm trees and crystal blue transparent waters, just like the Maldives, without the massive price tag. Situated right next to Ibiza, the two islands may be geographically aligned, but they couldn’t be more opposite.

READ MORE: American visits ‘Wales’ most stunning coastline’ but is floored by price of ice cream

Formentera is peaceful escape and the island is just 12 miles long and a mile-and-a-half wide at its narrowest point and there’s little to do apart from eat, drink and enjoy the soft sand beaches.

Lonely Planet describes the European island, which was also loved by Kate Moss in the 90s, as a ‘beautifully pure, get-away-from-it-all-escape’. The travel guide adds: “Formentera’s pace of life is blissfully languid, designed for lazy days spent lounging on some of Europe’s (dare we say the world’s) most exquisite beaches.”

Playa de Ses Illetes is Formentera’s best known beach and it’s even won Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award and the coastal spot is located within the Ses Salines National Park and has white sand with bright turquoise water. Platja de Migjorn is also considered one of the island’s prettiest beaches. The longest beach on the island it stretches across 5km.

For those looking to plan a trip to the beautiful island, travellers will need to fly to Ibiza to get to Formentera with direct flights available on British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2. They can then catch a ferry from Ibiza. Ferries tend to run frequently and take around 30 minutes.

It also promises 11-hours of sunshine a day and in July and August, the temperature averages 26 degrees on the island and the average temperature is usually above 20 degrees in May, June, September and October as well.

However if you don’t fancy hopping on a plane, the UK boasts stunning landscapes that are the envy of the world, offering a plethora of beautiful spots to discover if you’re planning a staycation this summer. One of the most ‘underrated’ regions offers the top must-do activity for holidaymakers this summer, located on a picturesque island just off Scotland’s coast.

A breathtaking drive along the Isle of Arran’s coast in Scotland has emerged as the top choice, according to a survey of 2,000 adults about their staycation dreams. Often dubbed ‘Scotland in miniature’, the Isle of Arran boasts a range of spectacular landscapes, with the 109km Arran Coastal Way providing views of the coastline, charming villages, and mountain peaks.

Journeying around the stunning Isle of Arran presents ample opportunities to discover remnants of Scotland’s Gaelic and Norse heritage. It features numerous coastal towns, such as Lochranza and Kildonan, where you can enjoy a walk on beautiful beaches and explore ancient castle ruins. Scotland is renowned for its rich culture and history, which you’ll experience at every turn when exploring Arran.

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Portugal, France and Spain all suffered through temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, but for many Brits looking to abroad, that feels preferable to staying put

Brits are ignoring ‘red alert’ health warnings and heading to the Continent en masse.

Thousands of Brits have booked holidays in the past 48 hours, with many boarding flights in the next seven days as part of last-minute deals, swapping the uncomfortable British heat for Europe’s scorching sun.

In arguably classic British fashion, a huge number of holidaymakers are ditching the mere 34C temperatures of the UK for something a little more sizzling on the Continent. According to On the Beach, in the past 48 hours, bookings to Europe increased 23% and there was a whopping 47% increase in bookings leaving in the next week.

Portugal, France and Spain all suffered through temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, but for many Brits looking to be abroad, that feels preferable to staying put.

Have you been affected by the intense heat? Email [email protected]

This is despite the serious danger to life that is posed by the temperatures in parts of Europe right now. A record number of heat alerts are in place across France as the country and other parts of southern and eastern Europe remain in the grip of soaring temperatures.

Sixteen French regions, including Paris, have been placed on red alert for Tuesday, the country’s highest, while 68 others are on orange alert. Heat warnings are also in place for parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and Balkan countries, including Croatia.

In Barcelona, a woman has lost her life, allegedly after spending a gruelling shift cleaning the streets of the Spanish city. According to the newspaper El País, the cleaner was working in the Raval neighborhood of Ciutat Vella during the heat of the day. She spent eight hours outside, enduring temperatures above 30°C, according to Aemet.

So far this year, 2,168 people have died from causes attributable to the heat in Spain alone. Last year, 3,521 deaths were linked to extreme temperatures in the country, CLM24 reports.

Despite the clear risk of heatwaves as intense as the one scorching Europe right now, clearly many Brits feel things could be a little hotter. Bookings to Amsterdam and Paris reached record highs this Monday, with On the Beach recording a 178% increase in bookings to Paris year on year.

Perhaps they are attracted to the quality of heat, as opposed to the quantity of Celsius. The UK heat is famously muggy, sticky, and airless, with little breeze and minimal chance of proper cooling off at night. Homes aren’t designed for heat, and air conditioning is rare, leaving people tossing and turning through humid, sleepless nights.

In contrast, much of southern Europe is built for the heat. Even at 35 or 40 degrees, there’s often dry, baking sunshine rather than the suffocating humidity Brits face at home.

Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: “It’s official, Europe is roasting and Brits can’t get enough of it. Let’s be honest, 35 degrees in Spain feels like a glorious bake in the sun, while 28 in the UK feels like trying to sleep in a damp greenhouse. As soon as Brits see Europe heating up, they book their almost immediate escape, because roasting under a Spanish sun is paradise compared to stewing in the UK’s clammy heat.”

“City break bookings have jumped by 32% in the past 24 hours as Brits rush to make the most of Europe’s scorching heatwave. It’s not just the beaches calling this time, urban getaways are booming too. After all, cities offer shady streets for exploring, cool museums and cafes to duck into, and air conditioning in abundance, making even the hottest days easy to enjoy.”