Top Winter Sun Wonders
In search of some sunshine to warm your soul in the depths of winter? Take a look at our alternative suggestions, all bookable via Charitable Travel. It’s winter sun, but not as you know it, says Rebecca Miles
This is a feature from Issue 19 of Charitable Traveller.
Take a safari in Namibia
Visit Namibia in the northern hemisphere’s winter and you’re in for a treat. January is a particularly good month for birders, the vegetation is at its greenest and this time of year is birthing season, so expect to see zebras and springboks with their newborns. Explore under your own steam on a 13-day self-drive safari with Audley Travel, spending time in the Etosha National Parl, the red-rock landscape of Damaraland and on the coast at Swakopmund. Included in the itinerary are some guided game drives, where you’ll likely spot lions, giraffes and elephants; by the coast, look out for chameleons, scorpions and snakes.
The Little-Known Canary Island
Eschew the Canary Island crowds and make for the little-known island of La Gomera. From the hotel Parador de La Gomera, above its capital San Sebastián, there are views to Tenerife in one direction, while in the other lies the Garajonay National Park covering a wildlife-rich ancient laurel forest. Winter in the Canaries is ideal walking weather so take a hike before returning to the Parador to relax among its subtropical gardens and pool followed by a dinner of Gomera fish casseroled in a clay pot.
Kick back in Costa Rica
Wildlife and Water in India
India’s state of Kerala is best visited during the cooler, drier months from October to February – ideal for anyone wanting to escape the damp British winter. So join Cox & Kings’ 14-day Passage through Kerala tour and you’ll experience the serene landscapes of Karnataka and Kerala, stopping in awe at the immense Maharajah’s Palace in Mysore, gazing in wonder at the tigers, leopards and monkeys in the Nagarhole National Park, and pottering through the backwater region of Kerala. You’ll also get to ride the scenic Blue Mountain Railway and follow a culinary tour of Mysore.
Mellow times in Morocco
Escape the hustle and bustle of the UK’s holiday season with a relaxing break on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Our pick? The fishing village of Taghazout that’s transforming itself into a laid-back surfers’ paradise, thanks to its mild temperatures and huge crescent of beach. To its north is the Paradis Plage Resort, set on five kilometres of tranquil sands where you’ll find a surf school, beachfront yoga studio and a spa full of traditional treatments using local ingredients, such as argan oil and orange blossom. Book a room and relax, Paradis Plage is Morocco’s first Ecoresort.
Take a hike in Turkey
Swerve the sweltering summer heat of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and pay a visit in winter, when the temperatures linger around the mid-teens and the crowds are but a distant memory. Fethiye, one of the oldest towns on this stretch of the Med, is set on a secluded bay that acts as a natural marina and is strewn with islands. Hike the Lycian Way in the cooler weather, ease into the thermal baths, explore the ancient Lycian rock tombs, and enjoy some fantastically good value accommodation. Our pick is the Hillside Beach Club, surrounded by pine-covered hills and overlooking the sand of its private Kalemya Bay.
Cruising the Mekong River
January and February are an excellent time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia – temperatures are in the high 20s and there’s not much rainfall. To see the best of the two countries, board Wendy Wu’s latest ship, the Victoria Mekong, and cruise from the lush green landscapes of Vietnam up to Cambodia’s enchanting capital, Phnom Penh, over eight days. On the way, stop at temples, markets and villages for fascinating insights into the culture.
The height of luxury in Oman
Dramatically perched atop Jebel Akhdar (the Green Mountain) in Oman’s Hajar Mountains, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is one of the world’s highest resorts and has views to last for days over the canyons below. A destination in its own right, the architecturally delightful hotel offers every activity imaginable, from hiking and rock climbing to cooking and photography, as well as a sumptuous spa inspired by Omani culture and stargazing from the infinity pool viewing platform. And the best news for winter sun seekers? Oman is most comfortable to visit between October and March, when the heat is less intense.
The Incas and the Amazon in Peru
January is the ideal time to visit the coast of Peru and surfers flock to the beaches near Lima. Head into the Sacred Valley of the Incas and north to Machu Picchu however, and it’s much quieter – February is the height of the rainy season, which deters many visitors. Yet with the rain, the flora flourishes and when the clouds clear, as they often do, Machu Picchu appears particularly striking. Join Latin Routes’ Andes to Amazon Adventure and spend 12 days travelling through not just the Sacred Valley but along the Amazon too, taking boats and trains where possible. Be sure to wake early for the dawn chorus of water-dwelling river birds the Communal Reserve of Yanayacu de Yacapana.
Hikes and Trails in the Algarve
Discover another side to the Algarve when you visit in winter. With temperatures hovering around the mid-teens, it might be too chilly to laze on the beach but it’s ideal for exploring the many walking trails – both inland through rural towns and villages (for example, Rota Vicentina’s Historical Way) and along the coast past epic beaches (Rota Vicentina’s Fisherman’s Trail), starting from the most south-western point of the Algarve. Stay at one (or more) of the four Pousadas – historic hotels in charming places – that follow the Algarve coastline.
Get in touch with our expert travel agents today to plan your perfect winter sun escape, and donate 5% of the price to the charity of your choice for FREE!
This is a feature from Issue 19 of Charitable Traveller.
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