Winter sun vacations
Discover our top worldwide winter sun destinations, to get away from colder climates. Kick back with sunny days in the Indian Ocean tropics, indulge in the UAE or take it easy in Europe.
Our cheapest winter sun vacations
St Lucia
Chase the sun across the globe
Let go of those wintertime blues and explore a destination with sun, sea and sand.
Secure your dream vacation using our small online deposits. Find plenty of places to unwind in balmy weather. Enjoy beach lounging, alfresco dining, city adventure and tropical cocktails.
Carefully selected winter sun hotels
Touch down in the Caribbean this winter and stay at Sandals Barbados. This idyllic, couples-only retreat is set on the soft white sands of Dover Beach, ideal for that romantic escape. Or why not head to St Lucia? BodyHoliday is a popular all-inclusive wellness retreat. Not only is it home to a state-of-the-art wellness centre but it also offers a golf academy, a water sports centre and three outdoor swimming pools.
If it's the Indian Ocean calling, LUX* Grand Gaube in Mauritius is fringed by undulating coves, super calm lagoons and is blessed with two serene beaches and two spectacular swimming pools. There's six restaurants and four bars to choose from too, so you’ll never run out of options, while live entertainers ensure a lively island vibe is maintained.
The sunny shores of the Canary Islands also make for a great winter escape. Lanzarote’s H10 Rubicon Palace is an iconic five-star resort on the pristine sands of Playa Blanca. It offers a wide array of family-friendly facilities, a Despacio Thalasso Centre spa, six restaurants and five bars to enjoy. You can party like rock royalty at Hard Rock Tenerife with luxe amenities including direct beach access, four pools, one for adults only, an exclusive beach club, live music events, numerous restaurants and a kids’ club. Or check out the five-star GF Gran Costa Adeje, sitting in an exclusive part of south Tenerife. It offers a wealth of facilities including a serene spa, solarium, an ocean view rooftop pool, kids’ club, playground, tennis court and mini-golf course.
Our hotel partners
Choose from a fantastic selection of hotels across a variety of destinations this winter.
- Caribbean luxury with The Crane
- Family-friendly fun at Jumeriah Beach Hotel
- Island getaways with Four Seasons
- Be pampered at Palace Resorts
- Paradise finds with Royalton Hotels and Resorts
- Something for everyone with Marriot
- Slice of tranquillity with The Residence
- The magic of Madeira with Savoy Signature
- Pack for relaxation with The Ritz Carlton
- Combine adventure and serenity with Melia Hotels
- Immerse yourself in Marrakesh with The Oberoi
- Art Deco and tropical beaches with Kimpton Hotels
Secure your dream holiday with our low online deposits.
Winter sun holiday FAQs
- Go all-inclusive on your winter break and you won’t look back. You’ll love being looked after at an all-inclusive resort, where everything is taken care of – from drinks to dinner. In the Caribbean, you’ll find troubles melt away faster than the ice cubes in your complimentary cocktail. Everyone gets treated like rock royalty at the massive Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in the Dominican Republic. Take your pick from ten restaurants and take your dancing shoes on a trip to the ORO nightclub. In Antigua, at St James's Club & Villas by Elite you can enjoy not one, but two of Antigua’s famous beaches. The hotel’s free water sports will keep everyone entertained. You can even go all-inclusive in Marrakech, Iberostar Club Palmeraie Marrakech delivers a choice of cuisine to appeal to every palate, from local gastronomy to international favourites. Sticking to Europe? The Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife offers a magical stay for families. Set along the beautiful San Miguel de Abona Beach, you’ll find picturesque views and stylish accommodation. Children will adore the magical playgrounds, water park, splash pad and outdoor pools. Indulge in a spa treatment, enjoy a live theatre show and embrace the recreational activities on offer.
- If you're looking for beach holidays perfect for winter there’s nothing better than lounging on a beach when it’s less than balmy back home. Barbados is wonderfully warm in winter. Couples can fall in love all over again at Dover Beach – home to the exclusive Sandals Barbados, where there’s free water sports and scuba diving. Dubai also offers pleasant winter temperatures. Make the most of the longest private beach in the city at Jumeriah Al Qasr, where you can spread out on a kilometre of pristine white sand. In Mauritius there are plenty of opportunities for water sports. At Maritim Resort and Spa make your way through jungle gardens to the beach, where you can learn to water ski or sail a hobie cat. And finding a winter beach in Europe is easy if you turn to Tenerife. The Ritz-Carlton Abama has a simply jaw-dropping location with a funicular railway to carry you down to a perfect beach under the cliffs.
- These sunny cities come into their own from December. Visit Malta for tales of Templar Knights and ancient sights. Stay at db Seabank Resort + Spa. Set near the quaint town of Mellieha, this hotel is right next to a popular sandy beach. In beautiful Madeira, you can visit the city of Funchal by using the free shuttle from The Cliff Bay, a hotel with spectacular ocean views. The best way to immerse yourself in Miami is to stay at the Fontainebleau, right on Miami Beach. Dress up for a night at LIV; the hotel’s nightclub attracts the whole city. Don’t forget to consider Cape Town, where the winter weather is lovely and hot. Explore the city from the comfort and luxury of the One & Only, which is fantastically situated near the historic V&A waterfront. Don’t forget to nose around the wine menu – the hotel has an extensive cellar of South African bottles.
- Want to feel extra-special on your stay? Book a luxury holiday this winter to feel truly restored. Dubai sets the bar high. In the palatial environs of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray you’ll find the largest spa in the Middle East – complete with its own snow room. Warm up afterwards in the 59-metre infinity pool or in your room’s enormous, marble bathtub. At Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa you can discover the delights of Mauritius. Request a gourmet picnic so you can lunch on the hotel’s private island. Retreat from the world in the Maldives at the LUX* South Ari Atoll, where the only crowds are clownfish round the coral, and you can swim with enormous resident whale sharks. Luxury comes naturally to St Lucia. Stay at BodyHoliday, where you can sign up for every activity – from morning walks to meditation – or simply relax by the shimmering water in the lush tropical surroundings. Or seek out the fragrant citrus trees and centuries old olive groves at The Oberoi Marrakech and indulge in authentic hammam rituals.
- Banish winter blues and that mid-school-year slump. Take the family for some much-needed sunshine. On the trip of a lifetime to Florida’s theme parks, stay at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Universal Orlando™ forearly park access. You can rely on sunny Barbados to deliver a beach holiday that’s fun for everyone. At Hilton Barbados Resort children from age two are taken care of at the kids’ club – so you can slink off to the happy hour, or bob in the multiple beachside infinity pools. In Dubai, the Jumeirah Mina A Salam is the most family friendly hotel in the Madinat Jumeriah Resort, offering complimentary access to the Wild Wadi Waterpark and a free kids’ club. Or venture to the Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh and soak up the warm, inviting waters of the Red Sea and the exceptional service synonymous with this brand.
Find inspiration in our travel articles...
Where to travel in November
Before the festive period swallows you whole with Secret Santas, soaps and socks, why not plan an escape? Swap the high street for barefoot strolls along Mauritius’ bone-white sands.
Where to travel in December
See out the year in style. Whether you’re dreaming of a Caribbean beach at Christmas or you have visions of exploring gold souks and bronze-sand deserts in Dubai, one of these December getaways is sure to make it onto your wish list.
Where to travel in January
Why not jet off in January? Start the New Year right with an exciting break, whether you want to dine in an underwater restaurant in the Maldives, or swim in an underground pool in Mexico.
Where to go in February
Whether it’s dancing in the streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife during carnival time, watching humpback whales in the Dominican Republic, or simply getting some much-needed sun in the Middle East, here are the must-visit destinations for February.
Why choose British Airways Vacations?
The British Airways experience is more than a flight.
We offer carefully chosen hotels, resorts and villas in the most amazing places, and car rental with no hidden extras. Our access to the extensive British Airways global network and oneworld® alliance puts us in a unique position to create packages with convenient flights across the globe. From start to finish consider your vacation taken care of.
Small deposits
Secure your vacation with a small deposit and spread the cost with flexible installments.
Baggage allowance
All of our vacation packages include a generous checked baggage allowance.
Earn extra Avios
Earn extra Avios and reduce the cost of your next vacation with Avios payment.
Pay with Avios
Reduce the cost of your next trip and pay for your vacation with Avios.
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Where to go this winter?
A tropical climate and laid back lifestyle is the perfect antidote to falling temperatures elsewhere – hovering in the high 20s, the sun blazes down for eight hours a day.
While not as hot as other destinations, Europe still has some cities which give some great opportunities for winter sun. Pleasantly warm rather than scorching hot, they’ll be plenty of sunshine to enjoy.
- Algarve holidays
- Gran Canaria holidays
- Lanzarote holidays
- Larnaca holidays
- Madeira holidays
- Paphos holidays
- Tenerife holidays
- Fuerteventura holidays
Find Europe winter sun holidays
Middle East
The Middle East has a near perfect winter-sun climate – you can expect daytime temperatures in the mid to high 20s, sunny skies and the very occasional burst of rain (if you’re lucky).
Africa
This is a lovely time of year to explore the souks or sites and relax by the pool. Winter temperatures rarely fall below 20c and the nights in Africa are pleasantly cool.
Indian Ocean
To experience the Indian Ocean at its best, you need to relax on soft white sands, snorkel in calm waters and take in the most colourful sunsets – the winter months are the perfect time to do just that.
It’s not just the warmth of its people that’s particularly alluring at this time of year. A European winter is their summer – the rainy season is over, the temperatures are high and the sun shines for longer.
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All-Inclusive holidays
Beach holidays
Family holidays
Multi-centre holidays
Terms and conditions
- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package vacation prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
- Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
- Package vacation prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in USD per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
- Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
- Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
- Combine and save on Vacations: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ vacation including more than one hotel and / or car.
- Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply.
1. Vacation Sale offers can be booked online at ba.com or through the British Airways call centre from January 6, 2026 and January 22, 2026 at 23:59 EST.
2. Vacation sale offers are valid on travel between January 6, 2026 and September 30, 2026. All travel must be completed by September 30, 2026. For travel from all British Airways operating airports in the US.
3. To qualify for the up to $400 discount per booking offer certain booking requirements must be met.
4. The savings are $50, $100, $200 or $400 and apply to new Vacation Package bookings only where a minimum spend is met:
a. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $8,000 per booking can save $400 per booking.
b. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $5,000 per booking can save $200 per booking.
c. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $3,000 per booking can save $100 per booking.
d. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $1,500 per booking can save $50 per booking.
5. The savings are per booking.
6. A Vacation Package booking means any booking including round trip flights and either a hotel, car or combination of both for the duration of the travel period. Hotels/cars added to flights only after a flight has been selected or booked will not be eligible. To be eligible for savings, we invite you to choose ‘Flight + hotel’ or ‘Flight + car’ when commencing a search. Quotes in our ‘Create your trip’ booking tool will not include this offer and are discounted in a different way.
7. Flight + car Vacation Package savings are applied before any Extras (insurance waiver, car seats etc.) are added to the booking.
8. Prices advertised on ba.com include the additional discount where applicable.
9. Vacation sale lead-in prices include all airline-related taxes, fees, and carrier charges.
10. Economy flight and hotel package lead-in prices are based on 2 adults traveling on the same itinerary, round trip in Economy Class, pricing per adult person, based on 5 nights for double occupancy accommodation.
11. Economy flight and car rental package lead-in prices are based on 2 adults traveling on the same itinerary, round trip in Economy Class, pricing per adult person, based on 7 days Avis or Budget car rental in a ‘Group A Economy Manual’ car. Prices are based on drivers aged 30-70 years. (Automatic car rental available at higher prices).
12. Car rental prices do not include fees charged locally such as airport charges, additional driver, insurance, navigation aids and similar options.
13. All prices are liable to change at any time and are subject to flight, hotel and car rental availability. Availability is strictly limited.
14. Offers are valid for new bookings only, made during the promotional period. Valid only when combined with British operated flights or BA code share flights departing from a US gateway.
15. Prices are based on travel during dates and board basis stated.
16. Limited availability of flights at these prices. Individual travel dates are subject to availability. Promotional travel is subject to availability and capacity control, and availability may be limited over holidays and peak periods. The number of seats available on each flight at a particular fare may be restricted and it is possible that seats allocated to a particular fare on a particular flight may be fully booked even though seats are still available for sale at a different fare or booking class in the same cabin.
17. Deposits can only be paid for bookings created as flight + hotel or flight + car packages. All flight only, hotel, car and experience only bookings, and any hotel, car or experiences added to a flight only booking are excluded from this offer. The following deposit levels apply based on the total spend per booking:
I. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $1000-$1999 - pay from $198 deposit per booking
II. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $2000-$2499 - pay from $250 deposit per booking
III. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $2500-$2999 - pay from $300 deposit per booking
18. The deposit balance will be due 28 days prior to your departure date. The actual payment date will be displayed on the payment details page. You can pay the balance in as many instalments as you want. This allows you to spread the cost of the vacation over a longer period. You will have full flexibility of when you make the payments and how much they are, the only requirement is that you must have paid the full balance by the balance due date.
19. British Airways holidays standard terms and conditions and conditions of carriage apply. For full terms and conditions please refer to https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/legal/package-booking-terms-and-conditions
20. All travel on BA operated flights is subject to BA's General Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Baggage (see ba.com http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/legal/british-airways/general-conditions-of-carriage) and the notice and conditions of contract contained on each ticket and itinerary. Passengers carried by code share services are subject to the ticketing carrier's conditions of carriage.
21. British Airways is not liable for the reproduction of this offer or indirect access via third party websites of these terms and where such reproduction misstates or omits any of the information or terms and conditions connected with this promotion.
22. Normal booking conditions, including amendment and cancellation charges, of a hotel purchase apply.
23. Normal booking conditions, including amendment and cancellation charges, of a car purchase apply.
24. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
25. This offer may be withdrawn or limited by British Airways without notice.
26. Other significant restrictions may apply.
We reserve the right to cancel any bookings that violate any of these terms and conditions.