Long, wet and cold British winters can be thoroughly depressing. Often the best way to recharge your batteries is to have a couple of weeks away in the sunshine, and the growing number of winter sun destinations easily reachable from the UK gives more flexibility than ever for your winter sun holiday.

Miami

Florida is a well-established holiday destination for Brits looking for the sun, but the average 15C – 16C temperatures in Orlando in January isn’t exactly beach weather. Further south, Miami is a good few degrees warmer, with January temperatures around the 20C mark. If you’re looking for lively nightlife head to the South Beach area, and the Art Deco district is where many of the best hotels are located. There are miles of sandy beaches and opportunities to explore even further south into the Everglades and the Florida Keys.

Dubai

Dubai is a relatively recent addition to the winter sun market and as the airport is a major transport hub, there are regular flights into Dubai from all over the world. Known as a top notch shopping destination, Dubai also has some of the world’s plushest hotels. Temperatures rarely drop below 20C, and winter is the perfect time to visit Dubai as the summer temperatures are in the 40s and almost unbearable. Dubai’s not the destination for you if you’re into history and culture, but if your ideal holiday is beaches, great hotels and world-class restaurants, Dubai could be perfect.

Marrakesh

Closer to home, the Morrocan city of Marrakesh offers an exotic winter sun destination just a few hours’ flight from the UK. The city is famous for its covered markets or souks, and is the ideal place to pick up some unusual Christmas gifts. There are also many trips offered from Marrakesh into the Sahara desert, and this city will give an impression of the real North Africa. Some budget airlines have also started flying to Marrakesh, making this a more affordable destination than ever.

Cyprus

Cyprus is another great choice for a winter holiday, although the weather can be more variable than in the destinations further to the south. Cyprus is geared up for year round tourism and there is a huge number of hotels, villas and apartments to choose from. English is widely spoken and Cypriots even drive on the left, making it a real home from home for many British visitors. As Cyprus is part of the EEA, you can cut the costs of your stay further by getting EHIC cover and using this in conjunction with a travel insurance policy.

Canary Islands

As they are off the coast of Africa, the Canary Islands enjoy a warm climate year round, and are very popular with visitors from Northern Europe. The package holiday market is well developed, and with many tour operators and budget airlines flying there, you also have the option to design your own holiday. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are quieter than Tenerife and Gran Canaria, but the island group has something for everyone.