Somewhere warmer for the winter?

Zakynthos. I've had a cottage there for 9 years and generslly have 2/3 holidays there during our UK winter months. It's a beautiful and much photographed island with an airport, bus services (where you pay the driver) and plenty of b&b's or places to rent. Email the tourist office which will help you find and arrange suitable accomodation. I have never been bothered by anyone whilst there and locals are as friendly as you allow them to be. Great food too. Good luck and happy holidays.
BTW, Goa is fabulous and CHEAP.

I've been to all of these places in the winter, Mauritius, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Gran Canaria. All hot, hot, hot with masses of . Discounting the first four as too far. Gran Canaria, Maspalomas a nice resort, might well fit your agenda although the flying time, I think was about 4 hours. I've been to mainland Spain in March, quite warm, better than here and only 2 hours flying time. Southern Spain would probably be your best bet, I gather the winters can be pleasantly warm.

There are many apartments available on the Costa del Sol for long winter lets. Once the summer season is over, many owners are delighted to have someone in their property over the winter. Have a look on www.spain-holiday.com

It sounds like maybe in your heart you want to go to Tenerife which would seem a good choice climate wise. I will likely spend winter time there in the future when there are less commitments here.

Many years ago my parents used to go to Cyprus for 6 weeks in Jan/Feb time for the price of a normal 2 week holiday. Check with the travel agents as many places offer this type of winter holiday at a reasonable cost.

We're off to Malta on Wednesday for three weeks. We find its usually about 10 degrees warmer than here in UK. So not hot, but ok.

I am in Lanzarote at the moment (Puerto del Carmen) and the weather is really good.
This is my 6th year in a row at this time of year.

Brittany Ferries does winter rentals in Southern Spain for quite reasonable monthly rates including sailings from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao. The fares include a car .
But you would have to drive from the ferry port down to the south of Spain. However you would then have your car with you for the duration (great for exploring all the little hilltop towns etc) and I have always found driving in Spain to be easy and safe. Drivers are far more civilised than in , say, Italy.

I'd recommend the Algarve too. By the beach where you can take a lovely walk into Albufiera each day. Wish I was there now!

My friend spends December, January and February abroad - Lisbon, Palermo or similar. She rents an apartment, (so she can live like a local) then has one or two friends to come to stay for a week at a time, to keep her company!

We regularly visit the Algarve in winter and I would be happy to visit on my own at one of the smaller places. People are very friendly and you don’t need to learn Portuguese!

As regards Malta, it is not always warm in winter. It is humid and not everywhere is centrally heated so you can actually feel colder than in the UK.

I’ve lived here for 36 years and love the weather between March and October, but not so keen on winter.

Thanks for all your helpful replies.

I dont fancy Morrocco or France and am not overly adventurous so would like to stay somewhere I have been before.

Have looked at Estapona and that sounds promising. I have been to Puerto de la Cruz and didnt care for the resort. Been to Playa del Ingles too but my favourite place is Los Cristianos area and having been there, would feel at a home. I have no idea of prices so may not have enough in the kitty. But everything would be switched off here so savings to be had this end.

I did read that if you book over 35 days at New Dolmen in Malta, the flights are free so that is something to look at.

Barmeyoldbat - can you please give me some details of Cambodia guest houses so I can look that up.

Does anyone know any companys that specialise in overwinter breaks please?

Thanks again.

I personally would prefer the north of Tenerife as the weather is not so extreme. I have spent many holidays there over the years and always gone around November when it has been pleasantly warm. That area would be top of my list.

loopylooo
The S. of France can be very cold in the winter - the farther you are from the coast. Shivering here today. And it rains a lot.
A few years ago we had temps. of -15° for a fortnight.
We probably do get more sunshine than the UK.

Why not go further for a different culture. We spend 3 to 4 months in the winter in SE Asia, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Been going for just over 10 years. Very safe for women, especially women my age as we are treated with respect. In Cambodia stay in a guesthouse for $20 a night or you could rent a house for $300 a month but like the guesthouse as they are sociable. Easy and cheap to get around. Downside need to buy a visa every month$30 and you need medical insurance. Other place is Malta. Good luck

Madeira is lovely. Very safe too.

I don't know if this is your style, but I've just seen a rental in morocco: 13 Feb- 17 April £1,300. Obviously flights on top.
At least you can be sure of the ☀️

Wintersday
You obviously don't want a 'package' for a long stay. You need an apartment. There is loads of these rentals on the Costa del Sol. This is where you have to be to get the most of the Sun in mainland Spain.
We are in Estapona at the moment but we are in our motohome which we bring down here at the beginning of winter.
I don't know if you know estapona but it's a big town but with the beach and bars (if you want)
If you don't have your own transport the bus services are great. You can get coach trips from there to other places.

Please may I come too? I would love the s of France as can speak some French. Or Spain I suppose. Would do the washing up.

Hi Petra and thanks for your reply.

Have been on a lot of package type holidays but not sure who does winter holidays for maybe 3/4 months.

I am familiar with Tenerife/Los Cristianos and Cyprus/Paphos/Pratarus. Have also been on a lot of group specialist holidays with my husband. Have looked up length of flights (dont mind flying) and 2hrs 40mins to Costa del Sol but never been there, 2.5 hours to Ibiza/Majorca/Menorca and 3 hours to Malta.

Dont necessarily need to be boiling hot, just warmer than the UK. Will be on a bit of a budget and dont mind preparing meals/washing up and eating out.

Wintersday
How far do you want to fly.
How much do you want to pay.
Such a wide choice.