As the rain reaches the UK and summer starts to feel like a distant memory many of us will be dreaming of escaping to the sun. Grey skies, torrential downpours and plummeting temperatures make the idea of exotic, far-flung destinations increasingly appealing.
But when you’ve factored in the flight times and jet lag (not to mention the cost), a long-haul holiday isn’t always the dream it’s cracked up to be.
From classics like the Canary Islands to up-and-coming stars along the west coast of Africa, many winter sun holiday destinations can be reached without having to reset watches too drastically. Hiking, diving and sightseeing are all options along with beach lounging, proving that with a bit of blue sky thinking, a quick winter sun break can be less of a whirlwind and more of a breeze.
Cape Verde
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Ten islands make up this archipelago cast out in the Atlantic, around 620km off the west coast of Africa. During the dry season – which helpfully coincides with our peak winter months – temperatures average around 25C. Although Sal and Boa Vista are the package holiday darlings, the largest island, Santiago, buzzes with more authentic local life.
In the south of the island, Cidade Velha was the first European colonial outpost in the tropics and now a Unesco World Heritage site. Visit the historic Forte Real de São Felipe and the ruins of the 16th-century Sé Cathedral.
In terms of beaches, Tarrafal is known for its golden sands, while hiking in the Serra Malagueta Natural Park is an option for cooler days.
Cape Verde Experience offers seven-nights B&B at Quinta da Montanha from £1,059pp (two sharing), including flights; capeverde.co.uk
Senegal
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A long coastline provides plenty of opportunity for beach action in this exciting West African country – from the lively shores surrounding capital Dakar, to the more secluded region of Casamance. French tourists have been coming here for years, but the destination has only recently gained wider appeal as a result of big investment by package holiday giant Tui. Direct seasonal flights now operate from the UK, with the journey time taking around six hours, and prices are very competitive.
Beyond the beach,…
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