Top choice for winter sunshine
Tom Hall offers his advice on the best value winter sun holidays.
I want to plan a week away over Christmas for me, my husband and our six-year-old daughter. We're looking to escape the winter and find some sun, but don't want to spend a fortune. Have you any suggestions of a destination with guaranteed sunshine?
Maureen O'Neill
Tom answers:
Unfortunately so many people are also dreaming of a sunny Christmas that you will be hard-pressed to bag a bargain. For a low-cost Christmas break, a package holiday in the Canary Islands would be a good bet. The islands are renowned for their beaches and have some fantastic walks. Temperatures will be warm but not baking, averaging 18°C in winter.
Direct Holidays (www.direct- holidays.ie) offers breaks to Lanzarote from Dublin and Cork, leaving on December 20 for around €2,000 for the three of you in self-catered, three-star accommodation at various resorts around the island. They also offer similar-priced deals from Dublin Airport to Gran Canaria.
A great destination which has everything you're looking for is Florida. Orlando will be heaven-on-earth for your daughter. There are the obvious attractions, such as Disney's Magic Kingdom, as well as a huge array of other incredible parks which you might be less familiar with, such as Gatorland, Cypress Gardens and the religious theme park, the Holy Land Experience. You could spend half your week in Orlando and the remaining few days relaxing on a beach.
Though Florida's west coast is further from Orlando than the East, it is worth the journey as you'll find some of the best beaches in the US. Clearwater Beach and the surrounding area would be a good choice. You can fly to Orlando from Dublin, Cork and Shannon.
Flights on December 20 from Dublin cost around €700 with US Airways.
- Tom Hall
