The European tourist destination where it’s 24C right now, with package holidays for under £200
IF all you want from your holiday is some winter sun and cheap deals, then there is one destination perfect for Brits.
Temperatures in Gran Canaria are expected to reach 24C over the coming week, and Brits can bask in the sun thanks to holiday deals for under £200 per person.
Already a well-known winter sun destination, Gran Canaria enjoys a warm climate year-round thanks to its location off the west coast of North Africa.
Even January benefits from a mild climate, thanks to the island’s high mountains sheltering the south from the north easterly winds.
The nearby Sahara Desert can send over hot winds too – and the occasional dust storm – although the breeze in the Canary Islands stops this from becoming too extreme.
On average, temperatures reach highs of 21C in January.
However, temperatures are set to reach 24C on January 6, making a last-minute break very enticing.
Sun Online Travel have found package holidays to Gran Canaria in January from £199 per person.
Five-night breaks with loveholidays start from £199 and include flights.
Ryanair flights depart from London Stansted at 2.30pm, arriving in Gran Canaria at 7pm.
Stays are at Apartments Miami Las Palmas, a three-star Aparthotel in Las Palmas, the island’s capital.
While it is a self-catering break, rooms come equipped with a kitchenette, which means guests can make their own meals.
Reviews on TripAdvisor are mixed, with the hotel having a 2/5 star rating from a handful of holidaymakers.
If you can squeeze your budget higher, there are also breaks from £219 per person with Holiday Pirates.
The Ryanair flights are the same, with holidaymakers staying at Apartamentos Tinoca.
While Apartamentos Tinoca has a two-star rating, guests on TripAdvisor have been pleasantly surprised by their stay, with the hotel having a 3.5/5 star rating on the platform.
There are still plenty of activities to keep Brits entertained.
One of those is Playa de las Canteras, which was named one of the best beaches in the world by TripAdvisor last year.
The golden sands are perfect for beach lovers and there’s also an offshore lava reef that acts as a wave break, meaning the waters are calm and perfect for snorkelling.
There are good facilities on the beach itself as well as cafes, bars and restaurants along the promenade.
Other beaches to visit include Playa de las Alcaravaneras, La Puntilla and Playa del Cebadal.
Holidaymakers should also explore Vegueta (the city’s old town), tour the Casa de Colón (Columbus House) and visit the Cathedral of Santa Ana.
The city’s Tirana District has also been described as a must-see thanks to its beautiful streets, great shopping, great atmosphere and restaurants.
Where is hot in January?
Long-distance locations like Cancun and Barbados are typically the hottest spots in January.
However, people who wish to reduce their carbon footprint or flight time might want to think about travelling to places closer to home.
European hotspots such as Tenerife and Lanzarote still offer warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine just a few hours’ flights away.
The Met Office has revealed the top 10 holiday destinations which are the hottest in January:
Singapore – 30.5C
Cancun – 30.5C
Manaus – 30C
Barbados – 29.1C
Rio de Janeiro – 29C
Sydney – 27.4C
Cape Town – 27C
Cape Verde – 25.2C
Tenerife – 21.1C
Playa Blanca – 20.5C