Cheap beach holidays

We think there is just one main reason to book mid-haul beach holidays: t-shirt weather in winter. Sure, the holiday resorts of the Canary Islands are fantastic, and yes, the beaches that circle the Cape Verde islands have that Caribbean vibe going on.

And, certainly, Spanish hospitality doesn’t come friendlier or much more genuine than it does in the Canaries. But really, who doesn’t relish the sweet sensation of slipping on a t-shirt in winter and strolling along a seafront promenade with bare, sun-kissed arms? Ooh, can you feel it already?

With flight times of just four to five hours and a wide choice of beach breaks – from budget getaways to five-star beach holidays – let’s Travel Super on a tour of TravelSupermarket’s top mid-haul picks for chilled-out beach holidays.

Tenerife is the tourism star of the Canary Islands, which dot the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa. Chic, boutique getaway at the edge of the ocean? It’s yours. Action-packed family break (with a water park nearby)? You got it. Wild party nights and lazy beach days? Sure thing. In Tenerife, there are holidays to suit every type of visitor.

Lanzarote is quieter than Tenerife and its beaches are sublime (check out Papagayo, for starters). Known for the volcanic landscape around Timanfaya and the sculptures of Cesar Manrique, Lanzarote’s main resorts are Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise.

Within sight of Lanzarote is neighbouring Fuerteventura. Quieter again, with sand dunes that appear to roll on forever near the main resort of Corralejo, Fuerteventura is the perfect place to have a go at water sports. More dunes make sandy waves on the horizon of Maspalomas, in Gran Canaria, while DJs spin tunes in the resorts of Playa del Ingles and Puerto Rico.

Taking a pinch of scenery from the Canary Islands, a dash of Portuguese culture and more than a generous slice of Caribbean-style beaches (think white sands and turquoise seas), the islands of Cape Verde are another hot pick for mid-haul beach breaks, with flights taking just five hours from the UK.

Are you dreaming of luxury all-inclusive beach holidays, where glittering seas of aquamarine fold gently on to snow-white sands and palm trees offer shade to gently swinging hammocks?

Does the thought of a barefoot stroll along a deserted beach under the light of a million twinkling stars send shivers down your spine?

Are you already imagining yourself by the artfully lit cocktail bar, on the massage table (pan-pipe music optional) or sitting, knife-and-fork in hand, diving into some of the most delicious cuisine on the planet?

If you weren’t, we bet you are now!

Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime splurge or one of many return visits to holiday heaven in the tropics, popular long-haul beach holiday destinations that get pulses racing include Cancun, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Barbados and the the Maldives.

On Mexico’s dazzling Yucatan Peninsula is the lively resort of Cancun. Hot and sunny year round, peak season arrives with the best of the weather in November and runs until early April. If you like your beach days shook up with evening drinks, Cancun could be a hot contender.

Sizzling, scintillating, surprising Cuba might not jump out as an obvious beach destination (those sultry images of Havana can cloud the mind), but its pillow-soft white sands and calm Caribbean waters never fail to impress.

Close to the gorgeous shores of Cuba is the Dominican Republic. Sensational coastal scenery? Check. Fantastic hotels and golf courses? Check. Cheap all-inclusive beach holidays? Ka-ching! The Caribbean can be yours for less on these sun-kissed shores.

If you fancy a taste of the Caribbean with a distinct British flavour (think cricket in the sunshine and afternoon tea on a colonial plantation), make it Barbados. Elegant and exciting, with plenty of local seasoning and, of course, beautiful beaches, Barbados is a celeb favourite, especially in December and January.

For an all-inclusive beach holiday with a difference, the Indian-Ocean island jewels that make up the Maldives are just the ticket. Many hotels occupy private islands and some rooms stand directly above the aquamarine waters – your early-morning dip has never looked so good.