Travel Weekly asked four operators what their favourite winter sun destination would be. Here’s what they told us…
Lanzarote
Ian Brooks, Director, Virgin Sun
“The fact Lanzarote is not too crowded makes it my favourite winter sun destination. It is also more sophisticated than some of the other Canary Islands.
“The pace of life is really slow, and it is a great place to go to relax.
“I like to stay at the Timanfaya Palace Hotel on Playa Blanca. This five-star property is just stunning – all white, with beautiful architecture which has a Moorish-Arabic style to it. It is situated right on the headland, and it stands out on the coastline.
Playa Blanca is a former fishing village and a peaceful resort. If you have a stressful job and want some rest and relaxation then this is the place to go.
“For a more lively resort, Playa del Carmen is my recommendation.
“It is only 15mins from the airport, has a great sandy beach and is a good choice for families.”
Costa del Sol
Alex Babic, Group Product Manager, Sunworld
“The Costa del Sol in winter is the place to be as it offers lots of sun and sea – but there is even snow available up in the nearby mountains.
“Despite being renowned for its high-rise hotel and apartment blocks, the coastal resorts of Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Benalmadena are extremely picturesque, and hard to beat as a winter destination. They offer a number of modern tourist attractions including hundreds of quiet bars, cosmopolitan nightclubs and great sporting facilities.
“You must see is the picturesque village of Mijas perched upon the hillside and only a bus ride away from the coast.
“And only 62 miles away is the ski resort of Sierra Nevada. Where else can you spend the morning skiing and a late afternoon soaking up the sun on the beach?”
Florida
Danny Talbot, Product Director, Cosmos
“My favourite winter sun destination is Florida. It’s ideal for a mix of relaxation and action with one week on the Gulf Coast and one week in Orlando.
“For myself, my wife and my two boys, aged six and eight, the theme parks are a great way to start to unwind.
“Tearing around on the rides quickly helps you forget the work back home.
“With the constant reinvestment going on at the theme parks in Orlando, it’s now a case of picking new favourites, as opposed to trying to visit them all.
“The relaxing time starts on the Gulf Coast in one of the luxurious homes with a pool. The beaches are not crowded, the weather is hot but not humid, and the seafood restaurants are fabulous. The accommodation is as good as home – with even more gadgets – and the private pool is a great way to start and end the day.”
Cuba
Martin Young, Sales and Marketing Director, Panorama
“While America’s cultural influence has been all-pervasive elsewhere in the Caribbean, Cuba has stood apart and remains a unique travel experience.
“Havana is a fabulous, gently faded city. It blends the architectural styles of the 15th-century Spanish Conquistadors with 1920s Art Deco and a few high-rise buildings of the 1950s. On the roads, 1950s US cars and stretched Ladas mix happily with three-wheeler bicycle taxis. The people are friendly and ever-present salsa and latin rhythms play out in street cafes and bars.
“To relax, the 12 mile stretch of beach on Varadero is the place to go. Or you can visit the Vinales Valley, where Cuba’s finest cigars come from.”