January can be a challenging month to endure. Not only are the post-Christmas blues spreading rapidly, but there’s also a cold weather outlook for the upcoming weeks. It’s no surprise that many individuals fantasize about a winter sun getaway to escape the dreary days and replenish their vitamin D levels.
If you can’t wait until summer to visit the beach, fret not. Numerous travel agencies are currently offering New Year sales, allowing you to snag a discounted package holiday even if you decide to depart on short notice. Here are some enticing deals we’ve come across for destinations just a few hours away from the UK but offering a completely different weather experience at the beginning of the year.
Prices are subject to availability and may fluctuate.
Agadir stands out as one of the warmest coastal regions of Morocco in January, often boasting highs of 21°C. Apart from its expansive golden beaches, it’s a vibrant city that seamlessly combines traditional and modern elements, offering family-friendly attractions ranging from water parks to zoos. In the ongoing easyJet sale, one-way flights to Agadir are available from Glasgow starting at £22.49, or from Gatwick at £38.13.
Sharm el-Sheikh provides eight hours of sunshine daily in January with daytime temperatures hovering around 22°C. With flights from the UK averaging about five and a half hours, this Egyptian paradise is a popular choice for New Year getaways. Wizz Air offers direct flights to Sharm el-Sheikh from London Luton and Gatwick airports, with one-way fares starting at £40.37 in January. Other budget airlines like TUI and easyJet also operate flights to the resort.
Emerging as a sought-after winter sun destination, Cape Verde offers highs of 25°C in January, with flights from the UK to this African island taking just over six hours. EasyJet Holidays currently presents a seven-night package deal at Hotel Dunas de Sal, including breakfast, priced at £666 per person based on double occupancy with the discount code BIGSALE. This offer encompasses flights from London Gatwick departing on January 11.
Although Gambia is often overlooked as a winter sun spot, it boasts direct flights from the UK lasting six and a half hours and January temperatures that can soar to 30°C, earning its spot on the list. TUI is currently offering a seven-night stay at the Holiday Beach hotel, located next to the sandy Kololi Beach. Departing from Manchester on January 21, the package includes bed and breakfast accommodation at £655 per person based on double occupancy.
Tenerife remains a classic winter sun destination with mild temperatures around 21°C, and flights from the UK taking approximately four and a half hours, providing some of the best January weather from a short-haul location. Jet2 presently offers a week-long stay at Granada Park Apartments & Siam Park Waterpark for £471 per person, with Bristol departures on January 18. This price covers self-catering accommodation based on two sharing a one-bedroom apartment in the three-star resort, including unlimited daily access to the waterpark.
Cancun is often perceived as an expensive long-haul destination, with UK flights lasting around 11 hours. However, attractive package deals can often be found for January travel, priced similarly to European getaways. On The Beach currently features a deal at £710 per person departing on January 29 from London Gatwick. This offer includes TUI flights to Cancun and accommodation at the four-star Aloft Cancun, situated on a sand strip with picturesque beaches. With January highs reaching 28°C, the lengthy flight seems worthwhile.
Barbados is another destination typically viewed as not budget-friendly, but with strategic planning, costs can be minimized. TUI currently offers a London Gatwick to Barbados flight departing on January 8 and returning on January 22 for £410 per person, inclusive of 15kg checked luggage. You can then independently search for accommodation – numerous Airbnb properties are available for these dates at under £600, allowing you to curate your own cost-effective package.