| Following yet another disappointing summer, many | | | | do some star spotting, not up in the sky but |
| of us find our thoughts turning to trying to find | | | | around the restaurants and bars of the |
| some winter sunshine. But long haul holiday | | | | prosperous marina, holiday hot-spot of the rich |
| destinations are quite often too expensive, or for | | | | and famous. The Costa del Sol has been a strong |
| some of us, the thought of that long flight is just | | | | favorite among winter holiday destinations for a |
| too much to bear, so I'm going to look at some | | | | long time with some people lucky enough to be |
| options to help us get away this winter, to holiday | | | | able to come here for long stay holidays to |
| destinations all within three hour flights of the UK. | | | | escape the harsh British winter, and often enjoy |
| Malta: Malta is a small island just east of Tunisia | | | | temperatures in the high sixties. |
| and south of Sicily, an island that is full of endless | | | | Costa Blanca: Probably the first place that comes |
| activities, stunning scenery, and a captivating | | | | to mind here is Benidorm with its wide sandy |
| history that is guaranteed to keep you busy | | | | beaches and concrete hotels full of family fun and |
| throughout your stay here. Often referred to as | | | | entertainment that create an almost iconic skyline. |
| an open air museum, Malta combines its | | | | The bucket and spade shops, neon lit karaoke |
| fascinating history with modern cultures to | | | | bars, and hustle and bustle of this family friendly |
| perfection with inspiring castles and striking | | | | resort, epitomize everything that is good about |
| architecture. You can walk in the footsteps of St | | | | great winter sun holiday destinations. Extremely |
| Paul in Rabat's catacombs, and see where the | | | | popular with the older generation who love to |
| Knight's of St John defended Christendom at Fort | | | | 'retire' here to avoid the harsh British winters, yet |
| St Elmo's. You can even walk in the footsteps of | | | | increasingly popular with the younger generation, |
| famous film stars as movies such as Gladiator, | | | | especially since the filming of ITV's 'Benidorm' |
| Troy and Alexander were all in part filmed here. | | | | series in this very town. There are other resorts |
| There's lively St Julian's, where you might even be | | | | in this area though; quiet and sophisticated Albir is |
| lucky enough to catch a top international D.J. at | | | | just a twenty minute drive away and offers a |
| one of the local bars or nightclubs. | | | | more relaxing, laid-back outlook on life. There's |
| The quieter resorts of St Paul's Bay, Bugibba and | | | | also Alicante, home to the region's airport and one |
| Qawra are extremely popular during winter and | | | | of Spain's quickest growing cities where the |
| there are two beautiful beaches at Golden Bay | | | | streets come to life with a superb choice of |
| and Mellieha It is fair to say that Malta's image has | | | | cafes, bars and restaurants. The weather in |
| altered vastly over the last thirty years or so; | | | | winter on the Costa Blanca is mild compared to |
| there aren't many holiday destinations that offer | | | | much of northern Europe, there are the |
| the heritage and culture of years gone by with | | | | occasional cooler days, however the warm |
| the chance to experience some of the best | | | | climate here makes it an extremely popular |
| Mediterranean nightlife around. Its natural beauty | | | | choice as one of the better long stay holiday |
| draws travelers back to Malta year after year, | | | | destinations. |
| but its party atmosphere is now attracting the | | | | Majorca: Majorca has been one of the best year |
| younger generation. Temperatures can fluctuate | | | | round holiday destinations since the rich and |
| between early sixties and late seventies and | | | | famous started coming here in the 1930's. By the |
| there's always a packed social calendar in Malta so | | | | 1980's though Majorca had become a little less |
| despite it's laid back persona, there's never a dull | | | | affluent and was perhaps better known for cheap |
| moment. So for some winter fun with your | | | | and cheerful holidays that everyone could afford, |
| winter sun, Malta is probably one of the best | | | | gaining a reputation as attracting 'lager louts' who |
| holiday destinations you could choose. | | | | paraded about in union jack shorts. Majorca has |
| Tunisia: As far as winter holiday destinations go, is | | | | worked extremely hard on reinventing itself |
| simply one of the very best, but then again you'd | | | | though and has re-established itself as one of |
| expect nothing less with a history that dates back | | | | Europe's favorite holiday destinations again, |
| to 814 BC. The historic city of Carthage, a | | | | especially with families who return year after year |
| UNESCO world Heritage site, is possibly one of | | | | to it's clean sandy beaches and resorts with |
| the most breathtaking archaeological sites in the | | | | excellent entertainment and great facilities. Winter |
| country; built by the Phoenicians, then destroyed | | | | months see temperatures remain above a |
| and subsequently rebuilt by the Romans its | | | | healthy sixty degrees with around five or six |
| fascination and beauty are practically unrivaled. | | | | hours of sunshine a day. The island's capital, Palma, |
| Some of the finest beaches in Africa are found in | | | | is fast becoming one of Spain's most enticing and |
| Tunisia making it one of the best winter holiday | | | | stylish cities, it's breathtaking cathedral stands |
| destinations for that much sought after winter | | | | majestically above the harbor, where multi million |
| sun. Shopping will see you spoiled for choice | | | | pound yachts bob in the warm winter sun. |
| between cosmopolitan shopping centers with | | | | Holidays to Majorca have it all, from lazy beaches |
| designer outlets; to traditional stalls set in beautiful | | | | to vibrant nightlife, fascinating history to modern |
| medina's where you can barter for traditional | | | | culture, making it the ideal place to choose out of |
| Arabic souvenirs and authentic African goods. Its | | | | the many winter holiday destinations on offer at |
| landscape is beautifully baron yet perfectly | | | | the moment. |
| verdant enough to have featured in films such as | | | | The Algarve: The Algarve's stunning rocky |
| The English Patient and Star Wars, adding to the | | | | coastline covers an amazing 155km, and stretches |
| fascinating lure of this countries magic. With | | | | from Cape St Vincent in the west to Villa Real de |
| around five or six hours of sunshine a day, and | | | | Santo Antonio to the east. Standing on the cliffs |
| winter temperatures well into their sixties, Tunisia | | | | at Cape St Vincent you're at the most south |
| is an excellent choice among winter holiday | | | | westerly point in Europe and as you gaze out to |
| destinations. | | | | sea, there's nothing between you and the |
| Costa del Sol: The Costa del Sol is one of the | | | | American coast but the stunning Atlantic Ocean. |
| most popular year round holiday destinations, | | | | It's also a bird spotter's paradise as many species |
| located on the southern coast of mainland Spain, | | | | stop off here as they migrate south for the |
| with over 100 miles of coastline and a variety of | | | | winter. The Algarve is highly popular with golfers |
| resorts to select from. The tranquil resort of | | | | at any time of the year, but especially during the |
| Nerja is a peaceful haven along a busy coastline; | | | | winter when the sun is not so hot and a stroll |
| relatively unspoilt you'll find no concrete high rises | | | | around the course is extremely pleasant. Many of |
| here, just breathtaking views and pretty coves | | | | the Algarve's sea side resorts started life as |
| hugging the sparkling Mediterranean waters. Lively | | | | sleepy little fishing villages and while a lot have |
| Torremolinos is a vibrant resort linked to | | | | retained their traditional charm and tranquillity, |
| neighbouring Benalmadena by a chic, cosmopolitan | | | | despite the increase in tourist traffic, others have |
| marina overflowing with everything from small | | | | expanded into busy holiday destinations with |
| fishing boats to multi million pound yachts and an | | | | superb water sports, varied family entertainment |
| authentic American paddle steamer. | | | | and vibrant nightlife. |
| Benalmadena is one of the most popular family | | | | Albufeira, Montechoro and Vilamoura combine |
| resorts on the Costa del Sol with a wonderful | | | | traditional towns, stunning beaches and lively |
| promenade and abundance of bars, shops and | | | | nightlife to perfection, while Praia de Luz and Alvor |
| restaurants to suit every taste. There's a | | | | are superb examples of tranquil resorts and are |
| beautiful park with a lake full of wildlife, a | | | | very appealing to families. The regions capital |
| Dolphinarium and Sea Life Center to name just a | | | | Faro, also home to the Algarve's airport offers a |
| few of the attractions here. Next stop along the | | | | historical look at the region with monuments and |
| coast is Fuengirola; another favorite choice for | | | | museums depicting Portugal's impressive heritage. |
| families with fabulous beaches, great shopping and | | | | The rocky coastline, mild winter temperatures and |
| a trip to Fuengirola Zoo an absolute must. Further | | | | fantastic golf facilities will ensure that the Algarve |
| south still you'll come across the affluent resorts | | | | continues to be one of the most popular winter |
| of Puerto Banus and Marbella, the ideal places to | | | | holiday destinations for many years to come. |