January can be a challenging month with post-Christmas blues and a cold weather forecast. To escape the gloom, many people dream of a winter sun holiday for some much-needed vitamin D. If you can’t wait until summer for a beach getaway, there are New Year sales offering bargain package breaks even for last-minute trips. Here are some deals for destinations just a short flight away from the UK with significantly warmer weather at the beginning of the year.
Agadir, one of the warmest coastal areas in Morocco, reaches highs of 21C in January. The city offers long golden beaches and a mix of traditional and modern attractions. EasyJet currently has one-way flights to Agadir from Glasgow starting at £22.49 and from Gatwick at £38.13.
Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt boasts eight hours of sunshine per day and daytime highs around 22C in January. Direct flights to Sharm el-Sheikh are available from London Luton and Gatwick with fares starting at £40.37. Other budget airlines like TUI and easyJet also serve the resort.
Cape Verde is gaining popularity as a winter sun destination, offering highs of 25C in January with just over six hours flight time from the UK. EasyJet Holidays is offering a seven-night package to Hotel Dunas de Sal in Cape Verde for £666 per person, including flights from London Gatwick departing on January 11.
Gambia, often overlooked for winter sun, has direct six and a half hour flights from the UK and temperatures reaching 30C in January. TUI has a deal for seven nights at Holiday Beach hotel near Kololi Beach for £655 per person, departing from Manchester on January 21 with bed and breakfast accommodation.
Tenerife is a popular winter sun destination with mild weather around 21C in January and short flights from the UK. Jet2 is offering a week at Granada Park Apartments & Siam Park Waterpark for £471 per person, departing from Bristol on January 18 with self-catering accommodation and unlimited daily waterpark access.
Cancun is known as an expensive long-haul destination, but package deals in January can be affordable. On The Beach has a deal for £710 per person departing from London Gatwick on January 29, including TUI flights and accommodation at Aloft Cancun with highs of 28C.
Barbados, often considered pricey, can be more budget-friendly with the right deals. TUI offers flights from London Gatwick to Barbados for £410 per person departing on January 8 and returning on January 22, including 15kg of checked luggage. Accommodation options like Airbnb are available for under £600, allowing travelers to create their own budget package.