By Chris Leadbeater
Fancy a little winter sun? (Who doesn't?) Here are some of our favourite spots for getting a warm glow in the depths of chilly winter.
LA is paradise if you want to mix time on the beach with the joys of staying
in a (very) big city. Soak up the sun on Venice Beach (without forgetting to
watch the legendary bodybuilders of Muscle Beach). Walk among the stars emblazoned
on the pavement along Hollywood Boulevard. You can indulge your inner child
at Disneyland
and your inner movie buff on the film-related rides and backlot tours of the
Universal
Studios theme park. And if you fancy shopping with the stars, give your
credit card a work-out in the boutiques of Rodeo
Drive - and watch for Paris and Posh perusing the racks. Yes, the 'City
Of Angels' has it all.
Stay: As its name suggests, the Grafton On Sunset has an enviable location on Sunset Strip, right at the heart of the club and restaurant action - and a giant saltwater pool.
It may be a long way to travel for winter sun, but there is no doubting the
appeal of Hawaii as a beach destination
- not least if you head for Oahu,
the beating heart of America's final frontier. Here you find the capital Honolulu,
a city that you could mistake for Miami
thanks to the golden crescent of Waikiki Beach (and the bars and restaurants
alongside it). It would be easy to spend your entire stay here, but it's worth
saving time to see the views from the Diamond Head volcano, the sober memorial
of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbour - and the great pounding waves of the north
shore.
Stay: You can't find a hotel closer to the beach than the
Hilton
Hawaiian Village, which looks directly onto the Waikiki sands - and has
a spa for extra relaxation.
Little more than a village half a century ago, Dubai
has risen to become the ultimate destination for combining the pleasures of
sand and sea with the thrill of retail therapy. Jumeirah
Beach, Dubai's tantalising main seafront drag, takes care of the former,
while the city's numerous malls look after the latter, not least the Renaissance-themed
Mercado and the Mall Of The Emirates - a shopping palace so vast it has its
own (indoor!) ski slope. But don't be too dazzled by the bright strip lights.
Make sure you also try a spot of haggling at the famous Gold and Spice Souks.
Stay: Try the Crowne
Plaza Festival City, which as well as wonderful views, a massive pool and
five-star luxury, is linked to a new mega-mall, Dubai Festival City.
Cuba's image is largely set in stone - 50s Cadillacs, strong rum cocktails
and a dilapidated colonial charm. But while no visit to the Caribbean's largest
island can really be complete without a few days in Havana,
Cuba is also a fine destination for watersports. Scuba-diving aficionados
tend to head for Cayo Coco, an island that lurks just above the mainland, a
little way east of the capital. The calling card here is a huge coral reef teeming
with wildlife. And those who prefer life above the waves can also find heaven
on enticingly-named sandy strips like Forbidden Beach.
Stay: The Oasis
Playa Coco resort is ideal for active types, offering opportunities for
sailing, windsurfing and snorkelling (plus tennis and mini-golf) as well as
scuba diving.
While it's now firmly inked on the tourist map, there is little disputing the
attraction of Thailand's largest island Phuket
when it comes to escaping the stresses of modern life. The main selling point
is a string of west-facing beaches such as Kamala and Bang Tao that specialise
in sandy relaxation by day and glorious sunsets at dusk. Or if you really want
to get away from it all, spend a few nights on the nearby islands of Koh Phi
Phi or Koh Yao Noi, or travel up the coast to stunning Khao Lak - perfect for
total relaxation! Of course, if you can rouse yourself, you can also find nightlife
galore in the key resort of Patong or - this being Thailand
- bargains in the markets and malls of Phuket Town. Taking a boat tour amid
the limestone scenery of Phang Nga Bay, meanwhile, is practically compulsory.
Stay: The four-star Centara
Karon Resort is ideally placed in the quieter resort of Karon - but is a
short drive south of unsleeping Patong if you fancy shaking a leg.
If you're in serious need of some sunshine - check out the latest VHOT
winter sun deals now.
Chris Leadbeater is a freelance travel journalist. He writes regularly for the Daily Mail. His favourite destinations are Cuba, the USA and Paris