The British weather in winter is notoriously miserable. Save for the odd ray of sunshine and occasional sprinkling of fresh snow, winter in the UK is cold, damp and dismal, which is why many families choose to venture abroad in search of warmer climes. Provided below are five top holiday destinations that can virtually guarantee warm sunshine this winter.
1. Mombasa, Kenya.
Mombasa is one of Kenya’s most popular and beautiful tourist resorts. Situated on the east coast of Kenya, Mombasa provides holidaymakers with a taste of life off the Indian Ocean. The official language of Mombasa is Swahili, but finding a guide who speaks English should not prove too difficult at all. Home to approximately one million people, Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya and a perfect destination for people who are searching for sun, sea and sand this winter, during which time temperatures hit 90 degrees (31C).
The official currency in Mombasa is the Kenyan Shilling (KES) and 1 Great British Pound (GBP) converts to just under 160 KES – roughly the price of a good quality local beer. There are plenty of things to see and do in Mombasa, which is home to numerous bars, clubs and casinos. The beaches in Mombasa are spectacular and sea-based activities are common among tourists. Flights from the UK to Moi International Airport are direct via London (Gatwick) and Manchester.
2. The Maldives.
The Republic of Maldives is another idyllic resort situated in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives consists of more than 1,100 coral islands, which form a series of atolls covering various lagoons, coves and inlets. Popular for its outstanding natural scenery, relaxed way of life and friendly population of more than 300,000 people, the Maldives enjoys warm sunshine throughout the winter months, with temperatures averaging a pleasant 21C (70F) in December.
Renowned for its clean, clear water, which boasts a temperature of around 27C (80F) during the winter months, the Maldives is a delightful tropical paradise. Most visitors to the country, the official currency of which is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), will spend their time on the white sand beaches or swimming alongside whale sharks, reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, bannerfish, unicornfish and all other sorts of marine life. The Maldives is served by Malé International Airport and most people in the country speak both Dhivehi and English.
3. Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
Home to a population of around 150,000 people, Cairns is situated in north Queensland, approximately 1,500 miles from Sydney. Boasting a fabulous tropical climate, Cairns is a popular destination for tourists hoping to escape the cold – but not necessarily the rain. Sunshine hours in Cairns peak during October (248.6 hours on average), falling to 172.3 hours in February, when precipitation is at its highest. Temperatures, however, remain high throughout the year, with record highs of 37.2C (November), 40.5C (December), 40.4C (January) and 38.9C (February) enjoyed on occasion.
The average temperature in Cairns during December is just under 30C and visitors can expect some heavy rain but plenty of warm, clear sunshine. Cairns is home to the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park and various rainforests, waterfalls and sun-kissed beaches. The destination is served by Cairns International Airport.
4. Orlando, Florida, United States.
Attracting more than three million international visitors every year, Orlando in Florida is a top tourist destination throughout the year, but not least during winter. Average temperatures in winter range from 26C (November) to 23C (February), so there is plenty of warm sunshine to be enjoyed in the south-east corner of the States. Visitors from all over the world can fly to Orlando International Airport, which accommodates some 35 million passengers every year.
There is plenty to do in Orlando. Tourists can visit Walt Disney World, Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, Gatorland, Rock Springs State Park, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and much more. There are also plenty of beaches in proximity to Orlando’s main resorts, including Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, Canaveral National Seashore, Melbourne Beach and New Smyrna Beach.
5. Agadir, Morocco, North Africa.
Home to a little under 700,000 people, Agadir is not the most populous of cities in Morocco, which is situated in North Africa and borders the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. English is spoken in Agadir (not least because the city is very popular among European tourists), but the official languages are Arabic and Amazigh. The official currency of the city is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD) and 1 GBP is worth slightly less than 13 MAD.
The weather in Agadir during the winter months is excellent. December enjoys 7 hours of sunshine every day, on average, while temperatures hit 21C during the day. Bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and situated at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, Agadir provides visitors with a superb holiday experience. Tourists can bask in the sun on one of the many unspoilt beaches in the area, enjoy water sports in the ocean or barter with merchants after sampling the local coffee and seafood cuisine. Agadir is served by Al Massira Airport.
