ESCAPE GLOOMY WINTER, WHERE TO GO FOR WINTER SUN.

 

The unrest in Egypt, the attacks on tourists on the Kenyan coast and, most recently, the disturbances in the Maldives have cast a shadow over some of the most popular winter-sun destinations. Tour operators are still offering holidays to all three countries, and the Foreign Office (fco.gov.uk), while advising caution in some areas, does not warn against travel to most parts that are popular with tourists. But while there are plenty of excellent offers to all three destinations, and our sympathies may lie with countries going through difficult times, many readers may prefer to go to places that are in a more settled state.

So, what are your options? The first point to consider is timing. With Easter and the main school holidays falling in early April, next month is a very good bet for finding excellent value in some of the longer-haul destinations. If you are able to travel in the next few weeks, there is still plenty of availability and, as a result, some keen prices.

To help you try to compare costs in different destinations, I asked several leading tour operators to give me prices for seven-night holidays in a four-star hotel during March. I have capped the price at £1,000 per person and organised the results in order of cost. I have also added some details of the climate in March and the flight time from London (which is approximate and may be longer if you have to change planes).

Interestingly, no tour operator was able to offer a holiday on a mainstream Caribbean island for less than £1,000, and Sri Lanka, which used to be one of the best-value tropical islands anywhere, only just crept in at £969. However, several tour operators pointed out that prices in the Caribbean fall sharply in April: Thomas Cook, for example, suggested 10 nights in Cuba from £771 all inclusive, departing on April 23, staying at the Iberostar Daiquiri in Cayo Guillermo. But by then temperatures in Europe will be starting to warm up, and the Caribbean seems a long way to travel for some sunshine.

Note that the temperatures listed are the average daily maximum for March. I have also given the average daily number of hours of sun. Prices are for a one-week package at a four-star hotel next month quoted by the tour operator named. They are per person, based on two sharing and include return flight from London unless stated otherwise. Prices are subject to availability. Numbers starting 0871 and 0844 are charged at 5p-10p a minute.


Canaries, from £499
With a short flight, a huge choice of accommodation and competitive prices, it’s hard to beat the Canaries at this time of year. It won’t be scorching hot, but it will be pleasantly warm and there should be plenty of sunshine. Tenerife offers the widest range of hotels and resorts and the best price I was quoted. Thomas Cook also offered holidays in Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura for under £600, but this price with Thomson, half board at the Barcelo Santiago on Tenerife, was the cheapest.
Flight time
Four and a half hours
Temperature
22C (72F)
Sunshine hours
Seven
Tour operator
Thomson (0871 200 7799; thomson.co.uk)
Cape Verde, from £659
These Atlantic islands are an interesting, less-developed and warmer alternative to the Canaries. The weather can be cloudy, but usually dry. The package includes all-inclusive accommodation at the Royal Decameron in Boa Vista and flights from Manchester.
Flight time
Five and a half hours
Temperature
26C (79F)
Sunshine hours
Three
Tour operator
Thomas Cook (0844 412 5970; thomascook.com)
Goa, from £659
It’s a long flight, but a key advantage of Goa is that local prices, as well as holiday costs, are low. It’s starting to get very hot, though – travel earlier in March if you can. This price is for self-catering, not a hotel, but it is for 14 nights at the Golden Sand Apartments in Betalbatim Beach.
Flight time
12 hours
Temperature
35C (95F)
Sunshine hours
Nine
Tour operator
Thomas Cook (0844 412 5970; thomascook.com)
Florida, from £699
It should be warming up nicely in Florida next month and March is an excellent time to travel. Charter flights don’t usually get going until the end of the month, but there are some good deals, such as this one in Orlando at the DoubleTree by Hilton, based on scheduled flights.
Flight time
Nine hours
Temperature
26C (79F)
Sunshine hours
Nine
Tour operator
Trailfinders (020 7368 1200; trailfinders.com)
Dubai, from £709
Many people use Dubai as a short-break destination, and Trailfinders also offers this holiday at the Royal Ascot Hotel at £549 for four nights’ b &  b. The seven-night price still looks good value.
Flight time
Seven hours
Temperature
28C (82F)
Sunshine hours
Eight
Tour operator
Trailfinders (020 7368 1200; trailfinders.com)
Gambia, from £713
Still very much a developing country and without the infrastructure of, say, the Canaries, Gambia is an interesting option if you want some real heat and not too long a flight. This price is for the Laico Atlantic Banjul in Banjul Beach, all inclusive.
Flight time
Six hours
Temperature
34C (93F)
Sunshine hours
Nine
Tour operator
Thomas Cook (0844 412 5970; thomascook.com)
Thailand, from £799
A long flight, but Thailand offers exceptional value. Trailfinders is offering flights on Singapore Airlines and room only at the Kamala Beach Courtyard by Marriott, Phuket.
Flight time
12 hours
Temperature
33C (91F)
Sunshine hours
Nine
Tour operator
Trailfinders (020 7368 1200; trailfinders.com)
Mexico, from £883
The long strip of holiday development in Cancun isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but standards of service and accommodation are high, and it’s cheaper than the Caribbean. This prices is for all-inclusive at the Catalonia Riviera Maya in Puerto Aventura, with flights from Manchester.
Flight time
11 hours
Temperature
30C (86F)
Sunshine hours
Eight
Tour operator
Airtours (0844 871 6636; airtours.co.uk)
Sri Lanka, from £969
Once an absolute bargain, now more expensive, but Sri Lanka is still the best-value holiday island in the Indian Ocean. Note that the first Test between England and Sri Lanka begins on March 26 in Galle. This price includes flights with Kuwait Airlines and b & b at the Heritance Ahungalla.
Flight time
12 hours
Temperature
30C (86F)
Sunshine hours
Eight
Tour operator
Trailfinders (020 7368 1200; trailfinders.com)
Malaysia, from £999
Just sneaking in under the £1,000 limit because of a £400 discount from Tropical Sky, the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang in Penang is a five-star resort. Breakfast included.
Flight time
13 hours
Temperature
33C (91F)
Sunshine hours
Eight
Tour operator
Tropical Sky (0844 332 9349; tropicalsky.co.uk)