With one of the wettest summers ever recorded in the UK this year and the country in the grips of a fierce recession, its little wonder that many people feel cheated out of their summer holidays this. With spirits low and the thoughts of cold frosty mornings and long dark evenings ahead, more and more of us find these thoughts turning to the prospect of finding late deal holidays.
Winter destinations are usually found at the end of long haul flights; however this doesn't have to always be the case. Morocco, Egypt and Cape Verde are all within a 6 hour flight from of the UK and are great places to start looking for your late deal holidays.
1. Morocco: Situated on the North West coast of Africa and enjoying 300 days of sunshine a year, Morocco is a colourful, aromatic blend of beautiful beaches, traditional architecture and fascinating Kasbahs. Choose from a relaxing beach break in Agadir or visit the enchanting city of Marrakech with vibrant markets, friendly locals and bargains to barter for. Just a three hour flight from the UK makes Morocco an excellent choice for late deal holidays this winter.
2. Egypt: The wonderful Red Sea region of Egypt is just a 5 hour flight from the UK, and offers endless sandy beaches, superb scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities and a fantastic selection of first class hotels. Although obviously famous for it's iconic pyramids, fascinating temples, world renowned river and medieval bazaars, Egypt is also a country rich in beauty and warm in hospitality.
3. Cape Verde: Enjoy the exotic beaches of the Caribbean without the long flight. Cape Verde lies just off the West African coast (further down from the Canaries) and consists of ten small volcanic islands and five tiny islets; combining deserted beaches and baron landscape with fertile green fields and spectacular mountain ranges to perfection. Whether it's lush and lively Santiago or the peaceful islet of Boa Vista you choose, late deal holidays to Cape Verde are the ideal winter destination.
4. Kenya: Kenya has some of Africa's finest beaches and most magnificent scenery, from the white fringed shores of the Indian Ocean to the tips of the beautiful Mount Kenya, the landscape is breathtaking and overflowing with fascinating wildlife and giant alpine plants. The rolling Savannah that stretches between is home to game parks such as Masai Mara, Tsavo, Samburu and Amboseli, whose exploration could mean a glimpse of some of the most exciting wild animals in the world, all enjoying their natural habitat.
5. Goa: The ideal time to visit Goa is October to February when you'll be spoilt by a near perfect climate of hot, sunny days and comfortable low humidity. Bordering the Arabian Sea in India, this former Portuguese colony blends Asian culture with European trends to perfection and has long been popular with foreign tourists. The laid back pace of life from the relaxing spirit of its hippy heydays in the sixties is still very much in evidence today.
6. St Lucia: One of the Caribbean's Windward Islands, St Lucia is drenched on one side by the Caribbean Sea and the other by the Atlantic Ocean, and closely neighbours Barbados. The volcanic island scenery is dominated by the twin peaks of the Pitons which can be climbed on guided tours offering fantastic views of the bay below. Temperatures can reach the lower eighties during winter months making St Lucia an idyllic late deal holiday's destination.
7. Sri Lanka: A teardrop shaped island just off the main coast of India, Sri Lanka has it all...palm fringed beaches, endless white sands and lush mountain greenery. The island is a haven to bird sanctuaries and national parks where you can see wild boar, leopards and elephants enjoying life in their natural surroundings. With no less than seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites this beautiful island is the perfect paradise location for late deal holidays this winter.
8. Jamaica: The third largest of the Caribbean islands and arguably the most colourful. A riot of red, green and gold, with the reggae spirit at the very heart of this islands musical beat with the legendary Bob Marley Museum one of its most iconic attractions. This and the easy pace of life, white sandy beaches, blue mountain peaks and tropical mountain blooms help to create the perfect winter paradise. Peak season here is December to April so kick off those shoes, let down your hair and get ready to dance to the infectious reggae beat.
9. Mexico: This Central American country bonds the north to the south and is full of colour and life. Leisure time and families are both priorities in Mexican life so you know you will receive an unbelievably warm welcome from the locals here. Whilst still recovering from the side effects of Swine Flu, prices in Mexico are reasonable in a bid to bring back any tourism they may have lost, so now is a great time to look for late deal holidays to Mexico.
10. Florida: Clearwater Beach is part of a barrier island on Florida's west coast and is in the Guinness World Record books for having the most consecutive sunny days; 361 days of endless sunshine make this record breaking town the ideal winter sun destination. Perfectly situated for Universal Studios and Disney World its broad sandy beaches stretch into the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico making it perfect for swimming.
There's no need to wait for summer to come round again next year, who's to say it will be worth waiting for anyway...look for late deal holidays now and enjoy some relaxation and much needed winter sunshine, recharge your batteries and prepare for the onslaught of Christmas on an idyllic tropical beach. Whatever your taste or budget, there's a winter sun holiday out there with your name on it.
