Seeking to beat the January blues however feeling strapped for money post-Christmas? We’ve discovered 5 winter solar locations the place you’ll be able to squeeze extra out of your cash.
Flights to Los Angeles, the Dominican Republic and Abu Dhabi common at lower than £500 return between January and February.
India isn’t the most cost effective vacation spot to journey to, however the fee on the bottom makes up for it; respectable lodging is lower than £65 per night time. In the meantime, in Thailand you’ll pay round £50 an evening for a three- or four-star resort – roughly the identical as a three-course meal for 2 within the nation.
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Return flight: £441
£441 Resort: £68
£68 Common most temperature: 25℃
Visiting a capital metropolis isn’t an inexpensive choice, however within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) you can save as much as £100 per night time on lodging in Abu Dhabi in comparison with Dubai – leaving you with extra money for a procuring spree at Al Maryah mall.
These on the lookout for some R&R might be spoiled for alternative with seashores. Take pleasure in metropolis skyline views at Abu Dhabi Seashore or head to luxurious Kai Seashore on Saadiyat Island for watersports and a recent restaurant serving connoisseur burgers and cocktails.
For sightseeing, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qaṣr Al-Waṭan presidential palace are among the many metropolis’s most spectacular examples of Islamic structure. Abu Dhabi can be residence to a number of museums, together with the Louvre, and a large alternative of theme parks for households.
Earlier than returning residence, store for spices and artisanal crafts on the Previous Souk.
India
Return flight: £1,052
£1,052 Resort: £64
£64 Common most temperature: 24℃
Most first-timers to India begin with the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur), which you’ll discover independently or on a guided tour. Go to Delhi’s museums, palaces and non secular buildings earlier than transferring on to Agra to see the spectacular Taj Mahal. Whereas there, uncover a few of this metropolis’s different Mughal masterpieces similar to Agra Fort (also referred to as the Purple Fort) and the Tomb of Akbar the Nice. Then head to Jaipur, identified for its pink sandstone structure – none extra well-known than the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds).
In January, the mercury hovers across the low 20s in these areas – heat, however comfy for sightseeing. For those who’re on the lookout for a seaside break, head to Goa within the south which has highs of 32℃ in February.
Thailand
Return flight: £540
£540 Resort: £50
£50 Common most temperature: 33℃
Thailand is the most cost effective winter solar vacation spot for lodging, with three- and four-star lodges sometimes costing the identical as a three-course dinner for 2. So it’s no shock that Thailand can be one among our total best-value locations for 2023.
Most worldwide flights land in Bangkok and no matter your onward journey plans, it is best to enable time to discover this huge metropolis. Go to the Damnoen Saduak floating market, obtain a blessing at Wat Arun and see the well-known reclining buddha at Wat Pho.
From Bangkok, you’ll be able to fly south to seaside resorts on Krabi or Phuket or retreat to the hills of Chiang Mai within the north for extra temples and an abundance of wildlife. Thailand’s cross-country trains and sleeper companies are an expertise in themselves, so why not reduce your carbon footprint and get monetary savings on an evening’s lodging?
Los Angeles, USA
Return flight: £447
£447 Resort: £167
£167 Common most temperature: 20℃
Hollywood and Beverly Hills are a lot greater than their popular culture references. If it’s your first time in Los Angeles, you’ll wish to tick off a Common Studios tour earlier than seeing what else this sprawling Californian metropolis has to supply.
LA can be residence to quite a few artwork, science and historical past museums, notably the LA County Museum of Artwork and the Griffith Observatory. Eager walkers can take the path to the highest of Runyon Canyon Park for views throughout your complete metropolis. And to expertise an iconic LA sports activities recreation, head to the Dodgers Stadium for baseball or the SoFi Stadium to catch one among LA’s American soccer groups in motion.
Whereas LA is brimming with prime quality eating places, don’t miss out on the Grand Central Market – the town’s oldest and largest public market promoting avenue meals from everywhere in the world.
Santa Monica lies simply west of Downtown LA. Whereas there, take a stroll alongside Santa Monica Pier and spot the bodybuilders at Muscle Seashore – or just get pleasure from a little bit of sunbathing your self (no exercise required). Later, bask in some retail remedy or seize dinner in Downtown Santa Monica, an upscale procuring and eating district.
Dominican Republic
Return flight: £465
£465 Resort: £162
£162 Common most temperature: 28℃
The Dominican Republic is among the best-value Caribbean islands at any time of yr, however lodges are as much as £35 cheaper per night time in January and February. Plus, it’s a chief time for whale watching.
With a northern coast dotted with soft-sand seashores and a myriad of all-inclusive resorts and golf programs, you gained’t be wanting choices. However to actually get away from all of it, hop on an inexpensive constitution flight to both Puerto Plata alongside the northern coast or Punta Cana within the southeast.
Peninsula de Samaná is among the finest spots to search out humpback whales breaching off the coast as they congregate after their lengthy annual migration from the north Atlantic feeding grounds (between January and March).
For those who can pull your self away out of your solar lounger, head inland for a mild hike within the inexperienced mountains round Jarabacoa. The central highlands have an amazing choice of cheap boutique guesthouses, permitting you to discover village life away from the crowds.
Our analysis
We appeared on the common price of flights and rooms per night time in three- to four-star lodges in January and February in 2020 and 2022. Flight costs had been offered by Skyscanner and rooms by Kayak. Temperatures are averages for January and February from Weather2travel.com. The price of a three-course meal is from the Submit Workplace Vacation Prices Barometer 2022.