Enjoy some Arabian sunshine at the swish Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. Set on a bay in Oman between the Hajar mountains and the Gulf of Oman, only 15 minutes from Muscat, it's one of the latest hotels to open in this new hotspot. This luxury property features a private beach, with warm waters skirting its 124 acres of landscaped gardens, spacious rooms and suites, each with its own balcony, terrace or patio facing the sea or the pool. If you're feeling active there's a dive centre offering Padi courses, swimming pools, and kids' and teens' clubs. Other activities include dolphin- and whale-watching trips, and visits to desert forts.
The deal: Seasons in Style (01244 202000; seasons instyle.co.uk) offers a seven-night b&b break at the five-star Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa from £1,095 per person, based on two sharing a deluxe sea-facing room, including return British Airways flights from Heathrow and transfers.
Sunshine hours: 10.
Temperature by day: 29C.
2 . Visit classic Vietnam
Combine Far Eastern culture and sun on a tour of classic Vietnam sights. The trip begins in Hanoi, with highlights including the Old Quarter's 600-plus pagodas and temples. Next, take a cruise on the Emeraude, a five-star replica steamer, designed in colonial style, to Halong Bay, famous for its limestone monolithic islands. The cruise is followed by two nights at La Residence, a boutique hotel in the old imperial capital of Hue. The final days are spent at the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa. Here you can stock up on tailored clothes when not relaxing on the hotel's white sands which look out at the river delta and the sea.
The deal: Original Travel (020-7978 7333; originaltravel.co.uk) offers a Classic Vietnam b&b tour from £1,473 per person, based on two sharing (except the Emeraude cruise, which is full board), including return British Airways flights from Heathrow, domestic flights, guiding and transfers.
Sunshine hours: 8.
Temperature by day: 27C.
3 . Stay in a Roman palace in Cyprus
Get five-star service at bargain prices at the Anassa in Cyprus, which is currently offering seven nights for the price of five. Situated in the fishing village of Polis, an hour's drive north of Paphos, the 175-room Anassa is set on a hillside and built in the style of a Byzantine village. There is a long sandy beach to chill out on as well as a Thalassa spa. The main building is in the style of a Roman palace and there are four restaurants to choose from. Most rooms have private balconies or terraces.
The deal: Scott Dunn (020-8682 5040; scottdunn.com) offers this seven-night b &b break from £1,090 per person, based on two sharing a sea view studio suite, including return British Airways flights from Heathrow, three days' car hire and four free spa treatments.
Sunshine hours: 9.
Temperature by day: 24C.
4 . Watch cricket in the Caribbean
Fancy a spot of sport in the sun? Then head to the Caribbean, which is hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup, which opens today and runs until 28 April. It's still not too late to snap up a package to see the world's best cricketers play on a variety of islands, including Grenada, St Lucia, Tobago, Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados, while non-cricketing partners can soak up some rays on the sands.
The deal: Former England rugby player Victor Ubogu is offering packages through his sports tour company VU Limited (0871-871 5300; vultd.co.uk). Seven-day fully-inclusive Caribbean cricket cruises are available from £2,799 per person, including return flights from Gatwick departing 7 April and tickets to three games.
Sunshine hours: 8.
Temperature by day: 28C.
5 . Live in a tree-house in St Lucia
Save £400 per couple on a visit to Discovery at Marigot Bay, one of the latest openings on the Caribbean island of St Lucia. And you'll be following in the footsteps of the stars, for the bay the hotel is set in has played host to films including Dr Dolittle to Pirates of the Caribbean, its 124 rooms and suites are built of dark wood, sensitively blending in with the rainforest. Think tree-house living meets city chic. There are two swimming pools, top-quality dining options and a spa to enjoy too. And if life in the sunny slow lane gets just a little too leisurely, there's always the new marina village next door to explore. Built in the style of a traditional Caribbean village, it houses several boutiques, as well as restaurants and bars, a French bakery and an art gallery.
The deal: ITC Classics (01244 355527; itcclassics .co.uk) offers a seven-night b&b break at Discovery at Marigot Bay in a room with views of the resort from £1,837 per person, based on two sharing, including return British Airways flights from Heathrow and transfers.
Sunshine hours: 8.
Temperature by day: 29C.
6 . Relax in a Thai garden spa
Treat yourself to 10 days of sun for the price of six in Thailand at the deluxe Banyan Tree in Phuket, making a saving of £1,000. Expect white sandy beaches, fringed by coconut palms and turquoise waters at this five-star property which offers 121 private villas rather than rooms. Located at the Laguna Phuket resort, the hotel is one of Asia's largest Oriental garden spas, featuring traditional Thai architecture and spread across acres of peaceful parkland. And if you want to get out and about, there are the dramatic limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay to see, and day trips including jungle tours and visits to Phi Phi island where The Beach was filmed.
The deal: Aspire (0845-345 9096; aspireholidays .co.uk) offers a 10-night room-only break in a pool villa at the Banyan Tree in Phuket, from £2,325 per person, based on two sharing, including return Thai Airways flights from Heathrow and private transfers.
Sunshine hours: 9.
Temperature by day: 34.
7 . Get more out of Hong Kong
It's possible to enjoy a far-flung city break in the sun and keep to a strict budget by twinning low-cost carrier Oasis to Hong Kong with the three-star Ramada Kowloon Hotel. Just 10 minutes away from the Star Ferry pier, Hong Kong Island is on your doorstep. And with the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station a minute away, you can easily get around this city. Relax on the beach at Repulse Bay or get your fill of bargain retail therapy with the pound currently pitched high against the Hong Kong dollar. As well as visiting all the landmark sights, upcoming events include the Arts Festival, which runs until 25 March, the International Film Festival, until 11 April, and the Hong Kong Ruby Sevens, until 1 April.
The deal: Oasis (0844-482 2323; oasishongkong .com) flies from Gatwick to Hong Kong from £273 return. The Ramada Kowloon Hotel (00 852 2311 1100; ramada hongkong.com) offers double rooms from £42 per person per night, based on two sharing.
Sunshine hours: 6.
Temperature by day: 25C.
8 . Keep it cool in Tenerife
Can the Canaries be cool? Tenerife is certainly trying to reinvent itself as a hip winter-sun destination, and it is having some success. As well as the usual daytime pursuits, you can enjoy spectacular night-time stargazing, especially on Mount Teide, the highest spot in Spain. The beaches in the north of the island are rugged dark-sand affairs, while the southern coast hosts wide expanses of shoreline that are very popular with families. Tenerife is gaining a reputation for smart boutique hotels, but there are plenty of good budget options, too. Try the Bahia Principe Tenerife, a family-friendly property which offers good sports activities, swimming pools, entertainment and children's facilities
The deal: First Choice (0870-850 3928; firstchoice.co.uk) offers a seven-night all-inclusive break at the Bahia Principe Tenerife from £529 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights from Gatwick. For further information about what's on offer on the island go to webtenerife.com.
Sunshine hours: 10.
Temperature by day: 24C.
9. The best African islands
Since direct flights from the UK began, the Cape Verde Islands off the West African coast are being touted as "the new Canaries". The tropical waters are rich with tuna, dolphins and turtles and shoals of bream, triggerfish, rockfish and perch. The deal: diveworldwide.com (0845- 130 6980) offers seven-night diving break from £1,098 per person, based on two sharing. Manchester and Gatwick.
Sunshine hours: 8. Temperature by day: 25C.
10. The best cheap yet chic
To find chicwinter sun holidays, check out the new travel "price comparison" website Henoo, where you can grab bargains from the major players. Current offers include a break in the four-star Catussaba Resort, in Salvador, Brazil, with Thomas Cook. The deal: Book through henoo.com for seven-night b&b break from £829 per person, based on two sharing room with balcony. Depart 30 March from Gatwick.
Sunshine hours: 8. Temperature by day: 32C.
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