Winter Sun in Europe holidays

If you're after a hit of sun, chances are you'd like a side of sea and sand to go with it. The Canary Islands are just the place. Direct flights, beautiful scenery and blissfully warm weather, are just three of the reasons why these sunny Spanish islands are one of Europe's best winter sun destinations. Cyprus is another great pick for a beachy break with temperatures hovering around a balmy 20°C. And, when you're not sunning yourself on the beach, we can arrange guided tours to some of the county's cultural highlights and unspoilt landscapes.

To really get into the summery mood on your Europe winter sun getaway, indulge in mountains of fabulous food. The neighbouring islands of Malta and Sicily are unbeatable when it comes to feasting on fresh Mediterranean fare topped off with more glorious beaches and historic wonders (Malta has a whopping nine UNESCO World Heritage sites to discover).

And if it's a spot of adventure you're after? Madeira, a volcanic outcrop in the Atlantic Ocean, has it all: windsurfing, mountain-biking, paragliding and big-game fishing, plus heaps of heavenly hiking trails. Throw in a scattering of luxury hotels (we can recommend the best) and year-round warm weather and this Portuguese island is a firm favourite for some winter sun.