Winter sun holidays

Between November and May, Abu Dhabi's searing heat “drops” to a manageable average of 25°C, making the winter the perfect time to visit. Spend your days engulfed in opulence, traipsing through vast malls and exploring grand mosques.

More of the outdoor type? Get the adrenaline pumping on a desert safari or flop on one of the city’s many beaches – whatever you’re into, we doubt you’ll get bored in Abu Dhabi.

Barbados wrote the book on winter sun holidays. Warm turquoise waters, postcard perfect palm trees, sugary beaches… have you booked your flight yet?

Besides the visual appeal of Barbados, the island’s lively local culture, all kettle drums and fiery rum, colourful and Caribbean through-and-through, is a highlight of any winter trip. Between December and April, rain is almost non-existent and the humidity is at its lowest.

Mexico’s Caribbean coast has fast become a favourite with sun-starved Brits desperate to escape the bitter winters back home – and for good reason. Not only is Cancun hitting its tropical peak during Britain’s colder months, the prices won’t leave you feeling like the Grinch at Christmas either.

A heady cocktail of sunshine, sea and salt-crusted margaritas, it’s the ultimate fly-and-flop destination to let your hair down in this winter.

Located just off the coast of Senegal, this tiny collection of small islands offers respite from the gloomy British winter, without the jetlag. Yup, a six-hour flight is all that stands between you and the sweeping sandy beaches of Cape Verde – there’s a reason the people here live by the mantra “no stress”!

Come for the warm weather, stay for the fiery fusion of Portuguese and African culture – caipirinha, anyone?

Few places do winter sun like Dubai. Every inch of the emirate’s flawless coastline has been meticulously planned down to the finest detail. Expect luxury, hospitality and supreme service all delivered at the highest standard.

Throw in a few super hotels, the world’s tallest building and average temperatures in the mid-20s and we think there’s enough to keep you happy there this winter.

Home to sun-baked shores that have become our favourite winter holiday destinations, Lanzarote is a four-hour flight, but a world away, from the dreary cold of the British winter.

And there’s plenty to keep you happy here. Volcanic craters, dizzying viewpoints, sweeping vineyards and golden sands – and that’s just for starters.

Let this Canary sing, you won’t be sorry!

Winter sun might be about escaping the cold, but after a break to the Maldives, you might never want to come back! Sheer bliss awaits on this Indian Ocean archipelago, where the beaches are the only white you’ll see and there’s no such things as anti-freeze in the local lingo (probably).

Go on, take a break from the winter weather – and anything else that might be bothering you – on the islands that defined idyllic.

Close your eyes and think of paradise. Now take a look at Mauritius – recognise anything? Between the impossibly clear water – perfect for scuba diving, by the way – and the blissful beaches, this Indian Ocean gem takes the idea of tropical island getaway to the next level.

Flop on the sand in the delightfully-named town of Flic en Flac, escape the crowds at Grand Gaube and tuck into creole cooking at Grand Baie – just don’t worry about the cold. There isn’t any!

Clichés aside, Phuket really does have a little bit for everyone. Patong’s raucous nightlife, beautiful Buddhist temples to discover, white-sand beaches to flop on, lush rainforests ripe for trekking, and brilliantly clear water perfect for snorkelling and diving – and that’s just for starters.

What’s more, the dry season stretches right over the British winter, so Thailand's biggest island is at its heady best when it’s grim and grey at home.

Just a four-hour flight away, Tenerife is a quick fix for winter sun – even when Britain’s at its coldest, temperatures here rest blissfully in the high teens.

Spectacular scenery – try Mount Teide for some of the best views this side of the Atlantic – and lively resorts, such as Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje, combine to make this winter warmer well worth it.

Are you dreaming of trading your snow boots for flip-flops? Then follow our tips to land a superb long-haul deal:

• You’re already on to a winner by looking for winter holidays, as summer is the peak time for travel to the sun. You can go one better when it comes to looking for cheap holidays, by travelling outside of the school Christmas holidays and avoiding the Easter break. Demand is higher during these times and this pushes winter prices up.

• If you can be flexible, compare holidays on TravelSupermarket with slightly different departure dates – flying on a Tuesday is usually cheaper than flying on a Saturday, for example.

• Think you can only afford bed and breakfast? Think again. Sometimes, upgrading to half board or even all-inclusive can be remarkably affordable.

• Compare the cost of a package holiday against the cost of booking flights and accommodation separately. You might save a packet on your winter-sun break.