Escape the cold season with a winter sun holiday in some of the world’s hottest accessible destinations

Want to spend winter someplace warm this year? We’ve got you covered. There are loads of great places to get some sun, sea and sand, away from the bleak British weather – and we’ve got accessible accommodation in all of them. Here are just a few of the hottest destinations to choose from this winter…

Popular Winter sun accessible breaks

Canary Islands, Cyprus / & Florida

Canary Islands

A perennial favourite with sun-seekers, you can’t go wrong with the Canaries at any time of year. Their southerly location, just off the Sahara, help make them the warmest destination in Europe, with the whole archipelago benefiting from mild weather throughout the winter months.

There are only slight temperature variations between the main islands, with averages of 21–22°C from December to February – warm enough for sunbathing on the numerous spectacular beaches, especially if you stick to the southern shorelines.

The Canaries also benefit from short flight times from the UK, typically around four hours, depending on your point of departure, ensuring you don’t have long to travel to get some winter sun.

See all our accessible holidays in the Canary Islands

Florida

The Sunshine State lives up to its nickname year-round, with its dry winter season coming in with an average high temperature of 22°C.

Florida’s a great choice for a beach holiday, boasting a massive 800 miles of sandy sub-tropical shores, many of which are accessible via beach wheelchairs and Mobi-Mats.

Some of the best include the skyscraper-lined South Beach in Miami; the white-quartz Siesta Key, on the Gulf of Mexico; the extravagant 14-mile Palm Beach; Clearwater, near Tampa, with its adjoining aquarium; and Destin, located by the green waters of the Emerald Coast.

The warm winter weather is perfect for sampling Florida’s many other attractions and activities as well, such as its host of theme parks, like Universal Orlando; SeaWorld Orlando, Legoland Florida; and, of course, Walt Disney World, which transforms into a magical winter wonderland over Christmas.

Elsewhere, major cities entice with huge shopping malls, award-winning spas and pristine golf courses – and there are excellent cultural attractions, from the Kennedy Space Centre, to the Salvador Dali Museum, and the historic Ernest Hemingway House, in Key West.

If you fancy a bit of outdoors adventure, Florida also contains 175 state parks, including the iconic Everglades, one of the world’s largest wetlands and a protective habitat for rare and endangered species.

See all our accessible holidays in Florida

Cyprus

Enjoying one of the mildest climates in the Mediterranean, Cyprus stays relatively warm throughout the winter, with temperatures averaging 18°C and often getting into the low twenties during most days. It also has far fewer crowds during the winter months, letting you experience a more authentic Cypriot atmosphere and freeing up the beaches, restaurants and historical attractions.

The town of Paphos is a good bet this time of year. A traditional harbour town and one of the most beloved resorts on the west coast, it has a fine selection of pristine beaches, al fresco tavernas and an attractive marina. It’s also home to some of the island’s best ancient monuments, located in the Paphos Archaeological Park. They include ancient temples and amphitheatres, and the Tombs of the Kings, an evocative series of caves and soft sandstone tombs that date back to the fourth century BC.

Nearby you’ll also find the scenic Aphrodite’s Rock, the rumoured birthplace of the Greek goddess of love; the ruins of the city kingdom of Kourion; and the stunning Troodos mountains, where you can even go skiing from December to April – on the off chance you’re missing the cold!

See all our accessible holidays in Cyprus