Jet off for some much-needed sun to this small but jam-packed island where temperatures rarely fall below 16C – and return flights are currently less than £30.
It’s been a miserable winter so far, and it’s not over yet. A potential second blast of snow and plunging temperatures could hit parts of the UK in the coming weeks, even after Storm Éowyn has savaged its way through the nation.
If you can’t bear another month of de-icing your car every morning, or having to wear a million layers to stay warm – you’ve probably already considered a trip away. But getting some much-needed sun around this time of year can be tricky, especially if you’re not willing to fly halfway around the world.
Destinations like mainland Spain and Portugal may be scorchers in the summer, but in January and February temperatures can fluctuate to as low as 11C – which means you’ll be a little chilly if all you’ve packed is bikinis and sun cream. However, there is one destination where the average maximum temperature is a whopping 22C – and it’s only four hours away.
The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Africa. Thanks to their consistent climate of year-round sunshine, a whopping 18 million tourists flock to the region every year (and around one third of those are Brits!). Most party hard on the biggest island, Tenerife, which is famed for its vibrant nightlife, award-winning water park, and star-gazing hotspots.
Fewer venture over to Fuerteventura – a much more chilled island where temperatures rarely drop below 16C, even in winter. While temperatures don’t get as hot in the summer compared to its neighbouring islands, the hotspot has a whopping 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, and retains its heat during January and February. It’s also sheltered by Lanzarote, which protects it from harsh winds in the north.
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Renowned for its white-sand beaches, rugged landscape, and animal-filled waters – Fuerteventura has something for everyone, whether you want to lounge by the pool or day, windsurf, scuba dive, or hike up a volcano. You can also get a buggy and drive through the vast desert, take a day-trip to Lanzarote, star-gaze at night under the darkest of skies, or test your stomach with a two-hour dolphin and whale-watching tour on the choppy waters.
You can fly directly to Fuerteventura from a slew of major UK airports, including Bristol, Newcastle, Manchester, and London. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab a proper bargain – with return fares in February going for as little as £28.
What’s your favourite destination for some winter sun? Let us know in the comments section below
