Dreaming of a last-minute escape over the winter months? Looking to use up your well-earned annual leave before the end of the year? Whether you’re thinking about jetting away for a spot of culture, good food, and vibrant nightlife on a city break or escaping the UK weather for beach-life, warm sunshine, and cocktails; we’ve put together a few ideas of where’s ‘hot’ at the moment and the best places to pick up a last-minute bargain!
Kick off the Christmas Countdown!
What better way to fit in some last-minute Christmas shopping and a ‘city break’ experience at the same time, than a trip to Europe’s Christmas Markets. Prague and Krakow are both good value at the moment – Prague’s Christmas Markets are scattered throughout the city including the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Krakow’s biggest market takes place in the Rynek Główny main square in the heart of the Old Town; surrounded by an eclectic mix of medieval architecture and lively bars and eateries. Both cities are perfect for sampling fresh gingerbread, choosing hand-painted decorations for your tree, and experiencing live music and carols.
Cracking Canary Island Deals
You don’t have to fly long-haul to experience glorious sunshine in the wintertime; with the ever-popular Canary Islands topping the list. Whether you’re pondering Tenerife with its perfect mix of beaches, tasty cuisine, and nightlife; Fuerteventura with its buzzing café culture and late-night bars; Lanzarote and its amazing Fire Mountain and César Manrique-designed Lago Martiánez; or idyllic Gran Canaria with its line-up of golden dunes, designer shopping, and chic seafood eateries. Or, you can visit more than one of the Canary Islands during your holiday on an island-hopping cruise.
Last Minute City Breaks
When it comes to city breaks, where do we start? Reykjavik is a popular choice; not only can you hopefully tick the Northern Lights off your bucket-list in the winter months, but you can also enjoy the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon. Marrakech combines warm winter sunshine with a side order of culture; from experiencing the Bahia Palace and the Medina’s bustling Jemaa El Fna Square to staying in an authentic riad or a luxury all-inclusive hotel. Or how about a trip across the Atlantic to the ‘City that Never Sleeps’ - New York – home to iconic State of Liberty, Central Park, and Times Square; or the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ – Las Vegas - with its famous Strip, non-stop fun, and access to the Grand Canyon.
Endless Winter Sun in Egypt
Another wallet-friendly winter-sun destination that’s less than five hours’ flying time from the UK is Egypt. This holiday hotspot brings together iconic cities, ancient sites, the River Nile, miles of beaches, and so much more. The two main resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh sit proudly on the Red Sea coast and are your gateway to adventures on land and water and soaking up the rays by day, followed by a vibrant night life scene after dark. El Gouna combines three marinas and over 100 bars and eateries and is one of the world’s best places for snorkelling and diving. Or what about a Nile cruise taking in the age-old cities of Cairo and Luxor and the temples of Edfu, Aswan, and Kom Ombo?
The Caribbean and Mexico
If you have a little more time and want to venture further afield in search of wall-to-wall sunshine; then the Caribbean will tick the boxes on your wish-list. Let’s start with the Dominican Republic, which is ideal for a great-value all-inclusive getaway; Punta Cana with its white-sand coast takes in the lively resort of Bavaro. Or how about tucking into authentic jerk chicken washed down with rum punch on the island of Jamaica? Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril with its iconic Seven Mile Beach are the shining stars. Mexico’s Caribbean coastline boasts Riviera Maya and Cancun and serves up turquoise seas, world-class beaches, thrilling adventures, and Mayan culture.
