Seeking the sun to escape the winter blues

As the autumn turns into winter and the cold weather approaches, it might be  time to consider a winter escape to somewhere warmer and sunnier.  Are you longing to get away from it all, with a soothing warm break, where it feels like summer and where you can feel refreshed and renewed?

Here, Tracey from Tailor and Made Travel suggests a few sunny spots around the globe that you can escape to this winter.  Whether you are interested in the beach, history, culture, good food or just relaxing, here are a few gems for you.  Enjoy!

Breathtakingly beautiful, Cape Town offers around 11 hours of sunshine every day during winter, along with world class safari adventures, superb cuisine and wine, with only a 1 hour time difference.

Cape Town itself is a cool cultural melting pot on the whole. Check out Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Boulders Beach, the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, and the shopping and entertainment on the Victoria & Alfred waterfront. Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years, is just a few kilometres from the Cape Town coast and accessible by ferry plus the beaches at Camps Bay have white sand with the backdrop of the Twelve Apostles.

Thrill-seekers can throw themselves into anything from hiking, bungee jumping, scuba and shark diving to treetop canopy tours, surfing and mountain biking. You can even abseil off the mighty Table Mountain if the mood takes you. For some quieter activity, drive the dramatic Garden Route, indulge in wine tasting in Frranschoek or Stellenbosch, or see the big five in the comfort of their own homes.

Malta is a Mediterranean archipelago set between Sicily and the North African coast, with a mild winter, low rainfall and five or six hours of sunshine every day during the chilliest season.

The country has a turbulent and colourful history, ruled by a series of occupiers with the prehistoric remains, fortresses, temples, burial chambers and eclectic Mediterranean cuisine to prove it. The ancient city of Valletta has a historic connection with the Knights of Malta who constructed the first building in the city – the Church Of Our Lady of Victories. Another church built by the Knights worth visiting is St John’s Co-Cathedral, which houses the famous painting The Beheading of St John the Baptist – a Caravaggio original.

When you’re ready to relax in the sun, head for a sheltered bay with pristine water, a harbour-side eatery or perhaps a spot of snorkelling to uncover the hidden subterranean caves and wrecks.

Muscat is one of the lesser known winter sun destinations but is fast becoming a popular alternative for a winter getaway. Unlike its more illustrious neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Muscat combines the authentic Middle Eastern experience with stunning architecture, and a unique location between rugged mountains and the welcoming waters of the Gulf of Oman.

The white low-slung buildings and the sparse architecture is refreshingly light; buildings like the Royal Opera House Muscat and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque are aesthetic perfection; and when you’re done taking in city sights, there are public beaches galore to enjoy.

So why not book a break and have something to look forward too this winter?

Tracey can be contacted by email tracey@tailorandmade.co.uk, telephone 01449 763427 or via the website.