The days are dulling and we’re losing sunshine fast after the most gorgeous Irish summer we’ve had in years. As the chill creeps in, we’re already planning our next getaway! It’s getting a little too late to go all-out and book a mid-term getaway for the October mid-term, but now’s the perfect time to sort out a Winter sun holiday.
We’ve chosen the five holiday destinations we’d most love to visit this winter!
Top 5 Winter Sun Holiday Destinations
Holiday Destination 1: Florida
Florida is a very popular getaway destination for European visitors all-year round. Christmastime is a great time to visit, but keep in mind that the theme parks will be super busy so your best bet is to visit some of Florida’s better-kept secrets.
Bradenton is super chic, stretching along the west coast with gorgeous white sands, crystal clear waters, and a host of islands to visit and keep your little adventurer busy. The Anna Maria Island is a highlight. Other highlights include the colourful Arts & Eats Restaurant and the TreeUmph! Adventure, which is perfect for little and not-so little explorers!
Holiday Destination 2: Lanzarote
We know it’s a crazy thing to say, but every now and again we get sick of seeing the same beaches. They are beautiful, but everyone likes a change! If your kids are a bit tired of beach holidays, they’ll think Lanzarote is amazing.
The beaches are beautiful but there’s a whole load of super unique activities: take a camel ride on a volcano in the Timanfaya National Park or have a bite to eat in a volcanic cave at Jameos del Agua. Your kids might even think they’re on the moon!
If that all sounds too firey, there’s Go Karting in San Bartolome or scuba diving in the Big Blue Sea Dive Centre. It beats sitting at home in the cold any day!
Holiday Destination 3: Morocco
Morocco is the perfect place for any budding surfers. Taghazout is a hubspot for long-haired surfers coming to catch waves. The Paradis Plage Surf & Yoga Hotel combines surfing, yoga, and spa treatments so it’s perfect for the adventurous and not-so-adventurous in the family.
When you’re done hitting the waves, we recommend a day trip into Marrakech for a guided tour. You’ll soon learn the magic of Marrakech: you’ll visit Gemma El Fna Square, have a mint tea on a rooftop backdropped by beautiful views, take a tour of the Souks, and learn so much about local culture. There’s also entire markets to forage in. You’re sure to come home with unique trinkets for all your family.
Holiday Destination 4: El Hierro
El Hierro is a top holiday destination. One of the smallest Canary Islands, it’s also one of the most beautiful. While it’s not as sandy as its neighbours, it’s got rolling hillsides and locals you can have a chat to about anything.
El Hierro is for a family looking for a more adventurous family and much of the fun is in walking tours in the dramatic hillsides. If you’re nearby you absolutely have to stop into the Resaurante El Refugio. With its interesting menu, you’ll learn loads about local cuisine. We recommend the mojos and a gorgeous Hierran wine to soak it up.
If you’ve any little historians in the family, be sure to call into the Ecomuseo de Guinea y Lagartio, where the dwellings and outhouses will teach your family all about the El Hierro that was!
Holiday Destination 5: St. Tropez, France.
We’ve given some recommendations on this list that are a little different to your regular holidays (lunar landscapes and camel rides on volcanoes!), so our last suggestion is more traditional.
St. Tropez is the holiday destination for the stars, especially the Côte d’Azur, where during the summer you’re likely to see a celebrity strolling along the beautiful beaches. In the winter time, St. Tropez is much less busy and you experience a far more relaxed town.
The Plage des Salins will be a lot quieter than in the summer so it’s perfect for a laid-back getaway. We strongly recommend eating in La Vague d’Or at least once, and soak up the gorgeous cuisine in a restaurant that won a Certificate of Excellence in 2014.
If you’re a fan of films or musicals, be sure to visit the Cap Taillat where Chitty Chitty Bang Bangs famous beach scenes were filmed. For something more boisterous, the Adventure Sports will teach you to water ski and water-board in no time!
There you have it: our top winter holiday destinations. If you are off on holidays, check out our gorgeous swimwear that’s so cool and chic it’ll make your little ones the envy of their friends–all while keeping them protected from the sun! Find us online on Facebook and Twitter and let us know if you’re going anywhere nice this winter!