As the days get shorter, the temperature begins to drop, and a crisp in the air brings the morning frost to your morning commute, the dreams of a hotter climate start to creep in — filled with sand, sun, sea, and relaxation. There is no better cure for the UK winter months than a luxurious, warm, sunny holiday. We have a list of the must-visit destinations this winter. Whether you’re in need of a tropical Christmas getaway or a last-minute dose of vitamin D, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best luxurious destinations to visit from the UK this winter.
Luxury Sunny Escapes From the UK’s Winter
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India
India is one of the most beautiful places to visit during the UK’s winter if your luxury experience is yearning for warm, dry days. Some areas of the country offer cooler temperatures and even snow across the north — especially in the large national parks — but if you want a taste of sunshine, the southern states are perfect. Many luxurious locations across the south side of the country can easily be visited via private jet charter — to raise your experience even higher.
For a sun-kissed experience, there is no better place to make your luxury winter voyage than Kerala. This tropical paradise offers average temperatures of 28 degrees Celsius for up to nine hours a day. In this paradise, you can soak up the sunshine, wander along the palm-filled beaches, dip into the serene waters, and see the verdant tea plantations. The winter months are also peak season in Kerala, so an advanced booking is essential to ensure you get your preferred hotel, cruise, or other excursion.
Morning fog is very present this time of year, especially in Agra, between December and January, so if you’re planning a day trip to the Taj Mahal (in the northwest of India), schedule it for later in the afternoon.
Cambodia
Winter is one of the best times to visit Cambodia — when the temperatures are warm, but the humidity is low. The average temperatures during this season usually lie in the mid-20s but can drop under 20 degrees at night — something that is welcome if you’re looking for a break from the sun. Destinations such as the laidback Sihanoukville and Kep offer the perfect beach experiences at this time of year. The warm conditions heat the water, making the ocean great for diving into and snorkelling around — Koh Rong is full of marine life during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere.
Remember that Cambodia is a popular destination this time of year due to the sun’s presence, even during winter, especially between December and February. Most tourists arrive around Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year. One of the bustling places in Cambodia is Angkor Wat, perfect as the Tonle Sap water levels are still high enough to visit the floating villages by boat.
Cambodia is a luxury destination, especially for keen bird watchers yearning to spot the diverse array of wild birds in the area. One of the best places in the country for birdwatching is across the Northern Plains close to Kulen Promtep and Beng Per Wildlife Sanctuaries, along with the Prek Toal Wetlands on the western edge of Tonle Sap Lake, where you will have the chance to spot storks, pelicans, and cormorants.
Laos
Laos may not be the obvious choice for a luxury winter destination. Still, the hidden gem of Southeast Asia is a stunning luxury destination filled with delicious cuisine, rich cultures, adventure activities, and some of the most spectacular weather possible. This luxury winter destination promises blue skies and sunny temperatures around the mid-20s for at least eight hours daily.
The favourable conditions make this the perfect place for trekking and other outdoor excursions such as rock climbing, caving, etc. The best places for this type of thing can be found in Muang La and Phongsali. During the winter season in Laos, on average, it only rains one day a month, so the islands that scatter the area make for the perfect place to sit back, relax, and soak up those rays.
It is important to remember that higher altitudes mean cooler temperatures, so if you are looking to visit the mountains in the north and east of Laos or stopping in Pakbeng as part of a cruise along the Mekong, you can expect temperatures to drop below 15 degrees Celsius.
The winter months can be a difficult time to adjust to for many of us, and the perfect remedy has to be soaking up the sun in one of the many luxurious destinations found in other parts of the world. The main thing we recommend is if you’re looking for a sunny break at this time of year, book well in advance to avoid any upset — these destinations are in peak times in these months with many other travellers looking to get their essential dosage of sun, sea, sand, and relaxation.
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