There are lots of perks to taking a winter break in the sun - alfresco dining, lounging on a sunbed and splashing in the sea to name a few. So why not take the lead from our friends down-under and swap your scarves and gloves for shorts and suncream with our guide to winter sun breaks.
Winter sun in Dubai - watersports galore
Dubai offers the best of east and west - Arab culture, Bedouin heritage and Islamic architecture, alongside excellent shopping, sophisticated dining and luxurious hotels. It also offers scorching temperatures in the winter; so if you want guaranteed sunshine, this is the place to head. And what do you need when the mercury soars? A dip in the sea and tons of fun watersports to keep you cool - perfectly provided by Dubai's exclusive beach resorts.
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, set on 900 meters of private beach, offers a wealth of water activities for its guests. From windsurfing and waterskiing, to Hobie Cat sailing, banana boat rides and kayaking, plus exclusive deep-sea fishing trips. But the big draw of the Jumeirah is the Wild Wadi Waterpark, which sits alongside the hotel. Guests at the Jumeirah get unlimited access to the waterpark, which has 30 rides and attractions including huge waterslides and flowriders.
Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Resort is a great spot for water-lovers young and old. The Penguin Club caters to younger guests, with activities in the hotels' two children's pools and beach games for 4-12 year olds. For bigger guests there are a further two adult pools and a dedicated lap pool for serious swimmers to flex their fins. For sea-lovers, the hotel's home to Dubai's biggest private beach from which you can go on a banana boat ride, sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing. There are also opportunities to charter a yacht or speedboat, take sailing lessons, and go sports or deep-sea fishing.
Plan your winter break in Dubai
Winter sun in the Virgin Islands - fun with the kids
Tropical sun, soft sandy beaches, turquoise sea; if frosty isn't your thing the Virgin Islands could be just the place to spend your winter trip. St Thomas, one of these pint-sized patches in the Caribbean, is packed with white beaches, lush hillsides and boat-filled harbors; perfect for whiling away sunny days. Plus, it has lots of activities to keep the kids entertained on a winter break - and we all know that when the kids are happy, mum and dad are happy too.
Entertain the little ones by hunting the island's rocky and reefy beaches for shells and exploring the tide pools. They'll love spending hours discovering the sea life from outside the water or probing the depths of St Thomas' shores in a snorkel and fins. The beautiful reef and its inhabitants, from schools of blue tang and giant tarpon to the aptly named sea cucumbers, will provide plenty of fun in the sun. And for an even better view of St Thomas' marine life, go on an Atlantis Adventures tour. Kids will be amazed as the submarine dives 90ft down to give an extraordinary view of the reef.
If you're looking for a day's outing, Coral World is a fun option - the aquarium's interactive exhibits will teach the kids all about the sea life surrounding the Virgin Islands, with activities like Sea Trekkin', stingray feeding and the Caribbean Reef Encounter. For your lunch, pack a picnic to eat at beautiful Coki Beach which adjoins Coral World - it's pure luxury to be able to enjoy eating outdoors in the depths of winter!
Plan your winter break in the Virgin Islands
Winter sun in Maui - hiking trails for everyone
Three million visitors flock to Maui each year to enjoy its warm weather, stunning beaches and lush landscape. Known as Hawaii's valley isle, it also has some of the world's finest hiking trails. When temperatures are at their lowest (although still very sunny) in winter, it's the ideal time to enjoy these trails - and with hikes for every ability, mum, dad, the kids and the grandparents can enjoy the great outdoors on their winter break.
A great, easy walk for the whole family is the ’Īao Valley Trail. The hike travels along well-maintained, paved paths, which are wheelchair accessible, towards the tranquil pools of the ’Īao stream. If you feel up to it, climb the steps from the pools for a better view of the ’Īao Needle. The Wai'ãnapanapa Beach Trail is also a relatively easy hike. Start at Wai'ãnapanapa and follow the King's Trail east toward Hãna, passing the Hawaiian cemetery and a blowhole. Continue on through the grove of native Hala trees and after about three quarters of a mile you'll reach the beautiful Ohala Heiau temple, from which you can reach the final stop on the trail, Kainalimu Bay.
A challenging hike, recommended for advanced hikers only is the Kaupõ Trail. It's a rough, long trek; starting at the east end of Haleakalã crater and following along the park boundary across private ranch land. The steep and rocky trail descends through rainforest to end in the isolated town of Kaupõ - be warned, most people hike only one way and have transportation waiting to bring them home!
Plan your winter break in Maui
Winter sun in Sydney - outdoor dining
Blessed with stunning ocean beaches, magnificent national parks and a wonderful subtropical climate, Sydney is the perfect spot for a sunny break. In the winter months (Sydney's summer) temperatures average up to 26°C/78F - giving you the opportunity to get outside and dine alfresco. So head to this gloriously sunny corner of the globe and experience the tastes, sights and sounds of the great outdoors as you enjoy a bite to eat on the deck, veranda or beachside table.
Edging the water of Rose Bay, Marina Kiosk serves a casual menu of homemade items like homemade carrot jam and banana bread. Take a seat on the waters' edge and relax with one of their delicious coffees as you enjoy the sensational view. Another great option is Doyle's On The Beach - set on Watsons Bay, overlooking the magnificent panorama of Sydney Harbor, it's the perfect stop for fish and chips on one of the beachside tables.
For more upmarket outdoor dining, Le Kiosk offers impressive views of Shelly Beach, with ocean views over to Manly. Request a table on the veranda and you can enjoy this spectacular scenery as you tuck into sophisticated dishes like pan-fried chevre and slow cooked Berkshire pork belly. Alternatively, you'll find Orso on a balcony jutting out over the water on Middle Harbor. The outdoor tables have a panoramic view of the beach and the activity in the harbor, so grab a seat in the sun and tuck into a dish from the seafood-oriented menu.
Plan your winter break in Sydney
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