Winter sun destinations

Malta

Malta, south of Sicily in the Mediterranean, enjoys near year-round sun. It boasts adventure and sport holiday activities, seven thousand years of history, thriving local traditions and a vibrant nightlife.

Malta reminds many of us of the George Cross and the islands’ long history at the crossroads of Mediterranean civilisation. Now the island nation is a busy film location (Troy, Gladiator and Alexander were all filmed here) and home to many music festivals. It offers the natural beauty of the coast with unspoilt beaches.  And, sites of unique historical interest, such as megalithic temples and the catacombs at Rabat. 

Tradition says that the catacombs sheltered St Paul. The Fort St Elmo in Valletta is where the Knights of St John defended the island and the Mediterranean from the Ottoman Empire in the 1565 siege.

Paphos

Paphos is an ancient harbour town in south-west Cyprus, 10km from the island’s second largest international airport. Cyprus’s Mediterranean climate is ideal for sightseeing as the island enjoys a short, mild winter.  Average temperatures on the coast dip below 20C only from December to February.

The island’s Roman capital has historic sites from ancient Greek and Roman times. The hotels and villas are only a short distance from the small, picturesque fishing harbour.

The town is surrounded by long stretches of unspoilt coastline, gorges and nature trails for outdoors activities, all easily explored on foot. Close by is Coral Bay, a large horseshoe-shaped cove backed by steep limestone cliffs and a beach with blue flag status. It’s also surrounded by sleepy villages and a warm Cypriot welcome.

Luxor

Luxor (ancient Thebes) in Egypt’s Nile valley is known as the world's biggest open-air museum. Close by the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the Tombs of the Nobles, the city was already an established tourist destination two thousand years ago. Luxor has strong sun and very little rain all year, with an October high of 34C.

November to March is the best time to visit the area and avoid the oppressive heat. It can even get chilly at night from December! The unmatched attractions of the Nile valley can be enjoyed by boat trips, safaris and hot-air ballooning.

Rhodes

With 300 days of sun a year, Rhodes, the third largest island of Greece, is the sunniest place in Europe. In September, the island is deserted by its high-season crowds. You can then enjoy the narrow alleys and tranquil squares of its medieval, Ottoman Old Town virtually tourist-free.

The Acropolis of the small town of Lindos is one of the island’s most important archaeological sites. Its most popular attraction, Petaloudes (valley of the butterflies) is free of tourists from the end of August. Average daytime temperatures remain in the 20s until November, perfect for enjoying nearby beaches such as Kallithea. The beaches are just 8km south of the town and are popular the locals, and are famous for its hot medicinal springs.