On Sunday 27th October the clocks will go back, and the days will begin to get increasingly shorter and darker whilst the temperature drops. So, what better way to escape those winter blues than with a winter-sun break. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best winter sunshine destinations including St. Lucia, Mauritius, Lisbon and the Algarve, for the ultimate winter holiday to top up vitamin D levels to get through the long colder months to come.
SAINT LUCIA: A sunny winter escape at Cap Maison Resort & Spa for the whole family
For those looking for guaranteed warmer temperatures, Saint Lucia is the ideal destination to be enjoyed by friends and families alike, a perfect winter sun escape. Luxury boutique resort & spa, Cap Maison, enjoys a stunning cliff top location overlooking the glistening Caribbean Sea and resides in the exclusive Cap Estate offering the ideal private retreat for families and couples to enjoy this winter.
Averaging highs of 28 degrees is the ideal temperature for exploring the stunning scenery of the island or relaxing within the luxurious facilities the resort has to offer. Cap Maison’s concierge desk is on hand to advise and book a full range of activities for guests such as wine and rum tasting in Cellar Maison, horse-riding along the beach, a Rainforest Zip Line Adventure and a coco ‘Bean to Bar’ experience, to name a few.
Benefiting from villa-style accommodation, families can enjoy a stay at a place that feels like home, with generous open living spaces to enjoy private meals in their own space. What’s more, the resort boasts two award-winning restaurants , for a formal dining setting with Michelin-star trained chef Craig Jones offering fresh local produce, and The Naked Fisherman, for a more laid-back beach-side vibe, but with delicious BBQ and grilled fresh fish and seafood options.
Prices start from £527 per night, based on 2 adults sharing a Garden View Room on a Half-Board. Price based on December 2024 stay.
For further information, please visit: https://capmaison.com/
MAURITIUS: Immerse yourself in the breath-taking natural world
Visitors to Mauritius can experience beautiful weather during the UK winter months, averaging around 28 degrees. Mauritius is just one of seven countries to have recently certified as having the best air quality in the world by World Health Organisation (WHO Healthy Air Quality in 2023), it really is one of the best locations to enjoy fantastic outdoor activities including paddleboarding, kayaking with dolphins, light hiking and visiting charming local villages, all providing spectacular ways to explore the destination. Guests can experience the best balance between comfort and convenience with exploration and adventure.
Explore Mauritius beyond the beach at Veranda Tamarin
Veranda Tamarin is a great location for travellers looking for adventure and immersive experiences in the middle of Mauritius’ unique nature. The hotel is integrated into the village community and popular with surfers. Guests can soak in the views of the tranquil Tamarin Bay from the roof top infinity pool or take a cooler box full of drinks to relax on the beach opposite after a busy day of hiking.
The hotel offers an ‘Explorer Programme’, where guests staying 4 + nights get credits that can be redeemed against hikes and other excursions such as kayaking with dolphins, or a catamaran cruise. Excursions can be booked through the hotel, with transport included, for additional costs.
Prices start from £125 per night based on two adults sharing a Comfort Room with breakfast in December 2024.
For more information, please visit: https://veranda-resorts.com/en/mauritius-hotel-tamarin/activities
Bask in luxury in the new Adults-Only Wing at Heritage Le Telfair
Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Bel Ombre in Mauritius, Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort is a five-star plantation style all-suites hotel providing luxury accommodation, whilst delivering a high level of personal service. The hotel offers gastronomic encounters, luxury wellness experiences, and exclusive access to Le Château Golf Course, the best golf course in the Indian Ocean, as well as La Réserve Golf Links, the first and only contemporary links course in the Indian Ocean. With its minimalist style and elegant all-white architecture, the resort welcomes guests in the most enchanting surroundings and will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in December 2024.
The resort has recently unveiled a new Adults-Only wing designed for ultimate escape and relaxation. This intimate sanctuary within the 5-star resort, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is set to welcome guests starting 1st November 2024. It promises tranquil ambiance, high-end services, and convenient amenities.
Prices start from £338 per night based on two adults sharing a Deluxe Suite with breakfast in December 2024.
For further information, please visit: https://heritageresorts.mu/hotels-mauritius/le-telfair
LISBON: Explore an alternative side to Lisbon at the Hyatt Regency Lisbon
During the winter months, Portugal is a perfect destination, averaging temperatures of 22 degrees with 7 hours of sunshine a day. What’s more, the capital is well known for its alternative side to the city, offering guided street art tours, museum visits, the LX Factory and plenty more, all at tip of your fingers when staying at the Hyatt Regency Lisbon.
The hotel lends itself as the ideal base for travellers looking to immerse themselves in the rich culture of the city as it is conveniently located in Belém, just a 5-minute drive from Lisbon’s iconic downtown. Hyatt Regency Lisbon’s location benefits from historical landmarks and culture-filled suburban streets, as a unique property on the banks of River Tagus.
Not to mention, Lisbon has been voted as the Best Culinary City Destination in Europe for the first time at the World Culinary Awards, so what better way to explore the city than through its flavour and cuisine. Why not try VISEVERSA restaurant and bar, offering fresh, local produce with an abundance of comforting, warming foods such as sauteed garlic shrimps or roasted suckling pig with oven-baked rice that will take guests on a gastronomic experience during those cooler months. For an authentic healthy meal or snack, casual eatery ZEST is an excellent choice, offering an array of healthy options, such as cold pressed juices, organic scrambled eggs and keto salads for a winter immunity boost.
Prices start from €212 per night based on 2 adults sharing a standard room with a queen bed and River View. Price based on December 2024 stay.
For further information, please visit: https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/lishr-hyatt-regency-lisbon
THE ALGARVE (1): Get into the festive spirit at Pine Cliffs Resort
This Christmas, Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort in the Algarve, has a fantastic series of culinary events lined up, guaranteed to get the whole family into the festive spirit over the Christmas period.
The little ones will be well taken care of as from 20th December – 6th January, there will be a series of creative festive-themed activities at children’s club ‘Porto Pirata’ such as face painting, Christmas carols, a letter to Santa Claus, making Christmas cookies, make your own snowman, Reindeer day and winter arts and crafts to keep them entertained.
From 24th – 30th December, MIMO Cookery School will be hosting a variety of special cooking experiences, encouraging families and couples to get into the festive spirit and share a special moment with loved ones. Activities include a Christmas Cooking Decoration Workshop (€40 per child), a Christmas Chocolate Truffle Workshop (€45 per child), Pizza Cooking for Kids (€45 per child), Chocolate Chip Cookie Workshop (€40 per child) and a New Year’s Cookie Decoration Workshop (€45 per child).
On Christmas eve, à la carte restaurants O Pescador, Piri Pirir Steakhouse and Corda Café will be open where guests can choose from either an à la carte menu as well as a reduced Christmas-themed menu. On Christmas Day a delicious buffet will be available at Jardim Colonial for €62 per person offering Portuguese cuisine, or guests can add a wine and beer package for an additional €25 per person.
With temperatures averaging 18 degrees, the Algarve is an idyllic choice for a winter sun escape where families and couples can create moments to cherish over the festive period.
Prices start from €187 per night based on 2 adults sharing a one Bedroom Garden Suite. Price based on December 2024 stay.
*Reservations are required for O Pescador, Piri Piri Steakhouse and Jardim Colonial
For further information, please visit: https://www.pinecliffs.com/en/
THE ALGARVE (2): Scenic and nature-filled hiking holidays
The Algarve benefits from pleasant weather during winter for a European holiday destination, averaging around 18 degrees. The cooler climate is ideal for walking in the region with lovely sunny days and more manageable temperatures for exercising than during peak season. From picturesque village wanders to challenging cliffside clambers, the Algarve’s diverse terrain makes a perfect hiking holiday.
Via Algarviana
Keen hikers can try Via Algarviana, a 300 km inland route connecting Alcoutim in the far east to Cabo de São Vicente in the far west that consists of rural paths across the mountains and valleys that will allow you to see the great variety of fauna and flora of this region and to immerse into the local culture of rural villages. There are range of different trails available and visitors can use their website and app (G13 – Via Algarviana) for navigation as well as a tool to identify accommodation, food, transport, activities and tour operators in the territory. All partners involved prioritise sustainable tourism and celebrate local residents.
Demons Creek Walkway
Demons Creek Walkwayis a new hiking route located in the hills of Monchique offering visitors access to unique sites that have been previously inaccessible, as well as incredible scenery and stunning nature. The suspension bridge, a highlight on the route crosses the gorge known as Barranco do Demo and provides an excellent view of the surrounding landscape. The wooden walkway is part of a wider pedestrian route that connects the village of Alferce to Cerro do Castelo de Alferce.
The landscape of Camilo Beach
Take a detour to the sheltered, scenic surrounds of Camilo Beach. One of the most spectacular sections of the Fisherman’s Trail is the stunning Ponta da Piedade walk, home to dramatic limestone formations and a variety of birds. It follows the coast of Lagos, taking in aerial views of some lovely beaches and extraordinary geological formations among the ochre cliffs. Get off the trail and walk down a wooden staircase to Camilo Beach, a popular cove where visitors can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters, or catch their breath at the secluded oasis of Canavial Beach.
For further information, please visit: www.visitalgarve.pt
