As the gusty, chilly, miserable British winter sets in, people start to think about balmy weather and blue skies. So tempt them into the shop or on to the phone with some late deals, whether they fancy a quick jaunt close to home or a substantial holiday further afield.
Europe
The Canaries come into their own in the winter. The islands’ heady mix of warm temperatures, European feel and good value tempt Brits into repeat visits. Madeira’s similar North African heat is coupled with colonial charm. Turkey and Cyprus maintain decent temperatures, and for those who don’t need it to be boiling, consider mainland Spain and Portugal.
There’s plenty of choice, from those watching their pennies right up to bigger spenders who still like to feel they’re getting a good deal.
W&O Travel Kids in the Med is offering families a saving of £555 on a seven-night break to the five-star Bahia Del Duque in Tenerife between November 21 and December 5. Adult prices start from £995 and child prices from £160 for seven nights’ bed and breakfast, including easyJet flights and transfers. wandotravel.com, 0845 277 3300
Classic Collection has seen the Canary Islands boom this year – winter sales to Gran Canaria are up 60% and Tenerife and Fuerteventura are both 30 % up.
There will be late deals, but clients can also benefit by booking earlier. Book 45 days prior to arrival at the four-star Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort, Spa & Casino in Gran Canaria and save £308 per couple per week on selected dates until April 30. classic-collection.co.uk, 0800 008 7288
Sunvil Discovery is offering savings at the Estalagem Quinta da Bela Vista in Madeira until December 24. The luxurious hotel is located in the hills of Funchal. Seven nights’ bed and breakfast costs from £906 including flights from Gatwick and transfers – a saving of £64. sunvil.co.uk, 020 8758 4722
Thomson is offering a two-week stay in Spain for just over £300. Fourteen nights’ half board at the Hotel Riu Ferrara on the Costa Del Sol costs from £319, a saving of £126. Departing on December 12 from Gatwick, the price includes flights and transfers. thomson.co.uk, 0871 231 5595
Clients looking to leave soon can hop off to Turkey in the lap of luxury and still save £220 with Thomas Cook Ultimate Style. Seven nights’ all-inclusive in the five-star Gloria Serenity in Belek, flying from London Gatwick on November 28, starts from £489. thomascookstyle.com, 0844 412 5970
Mid-haul
North Africa and the Middle East have much to attract tourists in winter. Dubai’s temperatures drop to much more comfortable levels so clients can make the most of all the activities it has to offer.
Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia all provide fantastic fly and flop options but can also cater to travellers more interested in culture and adventure than relaxation.
For relaxation and diving, Olympic Holidays is offering seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Tropicana Tivoli Hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh from £455, saving more than £250, when departing Manchester on December 5. olympicholidays.com, 0800 093 3322
For those with a more cultural bent, suggest a Nile Cruise. Kuoni is offering savings of £120 per couple on week-long cruises in a superior cabin on the Darakum, a five-star option with a full-board meal plan and flights from Heathrow to Luxor. The cost is £1,289 including visits to Luxor, Edfu and Aswan, departing on January 10.
kuoni.co.uk, 01306 747008
Cosmos Holidays is offering savings of £146 on a week in Tunisia. Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the four-star Riadh Palms in Sousse, Tunisia, flying on December 9 from Gatwick costs just £269. cosmos-holidays.co.uk, 0871 423 8518
Caribbean
We may be entering the peak season for the Caribbean, but there are some great deals to be had – so there’s never been a better time for clients to stay in luxury they have previously only dreamed of.
Caribtours offers seven nights for the price of five in December at the luxury Carlisle Bay hotel in Antigua, saving £520. A week staying on a bed-and-breakfast basis in a Garden Suite, plus private transfers, return scheduled flights and the use of a private lounge starts from £1,848. caribtours.co.uk, 020 7751 0660
Kuoni can offer clients looking to depart before December 11 a saving of £592 per couple at the five-star Secrets Maroma Beach in Mexico’s Playa Del Carmen. Seven nights’ all-inclusive, including flights with British Airways from Gatwick will cost £1,499 when booked before November 30. Quote MX039 when booking.
kuoni.co.uk, 01306 747008
Three-star plus Grotto Bay in Bermuda is a less luxury option, but Prestige Holidays can offer clients a great saving of seven nights for the price of four, saving £687 on bookings up until March 25. Seven nights’ all-inclusive in a superior ocean view room in early December starts from £1,264 per person, including flights and transfers.
prestigeholidays.co.uk, 01425 480400
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean has an air of exoticism that can make clients fear the prices, but there are plenty of great deals this winter. Sri Lanka, especially, has been great value all year, as the destination puts its troubles behind it and welcomes tourists.
Clients can save up to £167 on a two-week stay in Sri Lanka when booking with Premier Holidays. The operator is offering 14 nights’ all-inclusive at the Mermaid Hotel & Club in Kalutara from £1,399, including return flights with Etihad and private transfers, valid for travel between January 11 and March 31. trade.premierholidays.co.uk, 0844 493 7531
Sunset Faraway is offering savings of £250 on travel between December 3 and 15 at the Preskil Beach Resort in Mauritius. Clients can spend seven nights’ all-inclusive from £1,379, including flights and private transfers. sunset.co.uk, 020 8774 7100
How does Christmas in the Maldives sound? First Choice is offering 14 nights’ all-inclusive at the three-star Club Faru from £1,579 per person twin-share, departing on December 14 from Manchester and including flights and transfers – a saving of £296. firstchoice.co.uk, 0871 200 4455
For utter luxury and a huge 50% saving on accommodation for holidays in December, book the Labriz Silhouette in the Seychelles through The Private Travel Company. It’s offering seven nights’ bed and breakfast in a Garden Villa from £1,695, including scheduled flights, private transfers and a lounge at Heathrow – a mas sive saving of £1,575 per couple. theprivatetravelcompany.co.uk, 020 7751 0880
Asia
Thailand is renowned for good value, and this winter is no exception. With such a wealth of high-standard hotels and great service across the board, it’s the perfect spot for some winter sun.
Beautiful Bali is a dream destination too, so clients won’t take too much persuading to snap up a late deal. Winter-sun favourite Goa also offers amazing value alongside warm Indian hospitality.
Spending less than £500 on a long-haul fortnight away might sound too good to be true, but clients can go to Goa with pounds to spare. Olympic Holidays is offering 14 nights’ bed and breakfast at the two-star Prazeres Resort for only £455, flying from Gatwick on December 4, including transfers and saving £294. olympicholidays.co.uk, 0800 093 3322
For those with a slightly larger budget, why not suggest Thailand for less than £800? Thomson Tailormade is offering seven nights’ room-only at the three-star-plus Holiday Inn Resort Regent in Cha Am, which is two hours from Bangkok, from £799 departing November 29. Price includes return flights from Heathrow with Etihad, transfers and accommodation, and is a saving of £105. thomsontailormade.com, 0871 664 0273
For those with a round thousand to spend, recommend Bali. Hayes & Jarvis is offering seven nights’ room only at the three-star Griya Santrian from £979 per person twin-share, saving £120 each. Price includes Qatar Airways flights from Heathrow and transfers and departs November 29. hayesandjarvis.com, 0871 664 0246
Africa
With beautiful beaches and stunning safari options, Africa has much to offer the good-value winter-sunseeker. And with relatively little time difference, jet lag isn’t an issue.
Persuade clients to visit the Gambia with talk of its blinding white beaches, warm West African welcome and a flight time of less than six hours. Then upsell from a week to a fortnight, by booking through The Gambia Experience.
The operator is offering seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Kombo Beach Hotel in Kotu for £429 travelling on December 10, including flights from Gatwick and transfers. This is already a saving of £209 per person, but they could spend less than they save (£170) to stay for the full two weeks, which is offered for just £599.
gambia.co.uk, 0845 330 4567
Customers can start ticking off the big five without a big price tag. Cosmos Holidays is offering a seven-night beach/safari combination from £699, a saving of £300. The deal includes two nights’ full-board on the Tsavo Safari and five nights at the three-star Reef Hotel on Nyali Beach, Kenya, departing on December 6.
cosmos-holidays.co.uk, 0871 423 8518
Prices are per person unless otherwise stated
