For the majority of Europeans, winter spells cold and snow. Many would prefer to move to warmer climates until the winter is gone.
But since that’s not always an option, visiting warmer destinations definitely is. So for those who want to head to a warmer place for a winter vacation we’ve put together a list of destinations which are both warm and affordable. What are the best winter holiday destinations for sunshine? Are you craving some winter sun but don't want to fly half way across the world to get it? Then look no further and see our pick of the sunniest destinations. Here is some expert advice on where to find the best deals in the sun.

The Canary Islands offer year-round sunshine and are perfect for either a relaxing holiday on the beach, taking in the beautiful sights or spending your nights in the pubs and clubs. With a selection of 4 stunning islands, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, to choose from, the Canaries this winter is where you should be going. The Canary Islands are now one of the biggest tourist destinations to people from the UK, Ireland and Germany with more than 10 million people visiting the Islands in total.

The Egyptian Red Sea resorts is less than five hours’ flying time away, and offer year-round sunshine. We also recommend The Gambia on the West coast of Africa where you’ll find great-value hotels, lovely beaches and wildlife excursions. It’s a six-hour flight from the UK. The winter months (October to March) in Egypt are warm but the nights can be a bit cold. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that virtually no rain falls on the Red Sea Riviera. The coast is pleasant year round, with the average temperature day time during the winter ranging between 30C in October and 23C in December. Thanks to this beautiful weather, the region tends to be most crowded during the European winter and mostly around the holidays (Christmas and New Year’s Eve).

For a taste of winter paradise, head to the Indian Ocean and the idyllic island of Mauritius. You can also soak up the sun in the gorgeous settings of the Maldives and the Seychelles. With perfect beaches, stunning hotels and first-class service, they’re the perfect antidote to wintry weather. The Cape Verde islands off the coast of west Africa are great value and just 6 hours flying time from the UK. There are six islands where you can stay, all with different scenery from Sao Vicente – the cultural heart – to volcanic Fogo and Santo Antao, the greenest island. The islands of Thailand offer amazing beaches, great food and excellent value. It’s best in winter to stick to the west coast islands such as Phuket.

The Algarve is one of Europe’s sunniest places and receives more than 3000 sunshine hours each year. That’s more than California can brag with! Winter in the Algarve is mild, with temperatures reaching an average of 15C. Warm days are not uncommon so temperatures of 20C can be found during the winter days. Nights are cold though. The wettest months are January and February but typically the rain falls in short bursts. The water temperature is mild as well in the winter, reaching an average of 14C

A winter break in the Caribbean is a real treat, whether you opt for the quite charm of Grenada or the celebrity stardust of Barbados. The soft sandy beaches and lush scenery of Tobago and Jamaica provide the ideal backdrop for a fantastic holiday.
Or try a two-centre combination of Miami and the Caribbean. As long as you avoid the peak season of Christmas and New Year, you can find some great prices. Some of the best deals are in Cuba and Mexico. In Cuba we recommend a beach-and-city combination. It would be a pity to visit this fascinating country without exploring the capital, Havana. Try the stylish Hotel Saratoga in Havana combined with the beachfront Melia Cayo Coco.