Escape to the sun
holiday,romantic,Namibia,Antigua
Top five winter sun destinations
Compiled by Becky Taylor
When we\'re not reading yet more depressing news on the recession we\'re sheltering from blizzards of rain, hail and snow. Never has there been a better time to escape the British winter and, if you\'re thinking of fleeing the country a little earlier than usual this year, don\'t even think about booking your trip before reading our top five winter sun escapes...
Antigua
holiday,romantic,Namibia,Antigua
Antigua
Where to stay: Sandals Grand Antigua Resort and Spa
Why we love it: Antigua is renowned for pristine stretches of pure white sands and vivid blue seas, perfect for chilling out Caribbean style.
The luxurious all-inclusive Sandals Grand Antigua Resort and Spa is exclusively for couples and is situated on the picture perfect Dickinson\'s Bay. Here you can spoil yourself rotten with iced cocktails, serious pampering at the award-winning Red Lane Spa or take advantage of the excellent water sports on offer. The friendly Sandals staff will also help organise days out, including a catamaran boat trip. Sail past beach pads of the rich and famous, then stop off at the uninhabited Green Island before a spot of snorkelling amongst shoals of multi-coloured fish and coral reefs. The place to stay is the brand new Mediterranean Village, which boasts en-suite rooms with jacuzzis, fully stocked mini bars and stunning ocean views. Pure bliss.
Perfect for: Sun worshippers, loved-up couples and those who desperately need to unwind.
Rates: Seven nights in Antigua with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick direct to Antigua, including transfers included, starts from £1,709 per person. Visit virginholidays.co.uk/brochures/sandals or call 0844 557 3859.
However, Sandals frequently offer great deals throughout the year, and booking early can often lead to reduced prices. For further information, visit sandals.co.uk.
Click here to read the full Sandals Grand Antigua Resort review on allaboutyou.com
By Sian Claire Owen
Namibia
holiday,romantic,Namibia,Antigua
Namibia
Where to stay: Hotel Heintzburg
Why we love it: Built in the 19th century as a fort, this stylish white-turreted hotel sits on a hillside overlooking the Namibian capital Windhoek. The hotel is ideally situated for exploring the capital and boasts sprawling views over the surrounding mountains so you can see exactly why Brad and Angelina fell in love with the country so much that they chose it as the birthplace for their daughter Shiloh.
The idyllic garden terrace is perfect for relaxing with a cocktail while watching the sun go down over the city and the hotel also offers numerous day trips and tours to keep you occupied during the day. Take a tour to the Daan Viljoen Game Park and be amazed at the abundance of elephants, rhinos and giraffes wandering around in the open air or feed your shopping habit with a trip to the colourful street market selling wood carvings and craft work from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Relax at the end of the day with a sumptuous banquet at the hotel\'s gourmet restaurant, Leo\'s. Famed for its breathtaking views, Leo\'s serves up everything from International cuisine to French à la carte.
Rates: Prices start from £130 per night. Air Namibia offers package holidays as well as flights into Namibia. Visit heinitzburg.com for more information
Where to stay: Chameleon Backpackers Lodge and Guesthouse, Windhoek
Why we love it: Whether you want to share a clean, cheap dormitory room with fellow travellers, sleep in a comfy pitched tent with a mattress or spend not much more for a range of tasteful private rooms, this friendly hostel and guesthouse is a perfect base to start a Namibian adventure. With a bar, swimming pool, communal kitchen and friendly staff willing to offer their tips for enjoying Windhoek and Namibia, (they also arrange their own safari tours) Chameleon truly stands out.
Rates: Prices start from just £8 a night. Visit chameleonbackpackers.com for more information.
Goa
holiday,romantic,Namibia,India,Antigua
The Leela Kempinski, Goa
Where to stay: The Leela Kempinski, Goa
Why we love it: The Leela Kempinski isn\'t your everyday hotel; its 75 acres sprawl across an oasis of lagoons and lush gardens and include a 12-hole golf course, 24-hour casino and internationally acclaimed spa. Each of the 185 rooms has its own private balcony which either looks out over one of the idyllic lagoons or across the sea. If you can bear to drag yourself away from the luxury of your room, head out to one of the seven restaurants and bars which include Portuguese, Italian and local Goan cuisine. Guests can also relax by taking part in one of the many water sports offered at the hotel\'s shores or take advantage of a meditation or yoga class. However you decide to spend your time at the Leela Kempinski we can guarantee that once you enter, you won\'t want to leave.
Rates: The Leela Kempinski Goa from £1,275pp (twin share) including flights with Jet Airways via Mumbai, 7 nights\' accommodation with breakfast and private transfers. To book contact Cox & Kings: 020 7873 5000 / coxandkings.co.uk.
Offers valid for travel between January 2009 and 15 April 2009, subject to availability. Visit theleela.com for more information.
Thailand
holiday,romantic,Namibia,Thailand,Antigua
The Chedi, Chiang Mai
Where to stay: The Chedi in Chiang Mai
Why we love it: Located on the banks of the Mae Ping River in the centre of Chiang Mai, The Chedi is a peaceful retreat in the middle of a bustling historical city. Incorporating stylish contemporary furnishings with traditional Asian design, each of the luxurious rooms has its own private courtyard entrance and sizeable balcony offering sweeping views of the Mae Ping River and mountain range. Situated in a perfect location for exploring Chiang Mai during the day, guests can relax in the evening at one of the Chedi\'s restaurants which serve authentic, traditional Northern Thai food and refreshing cocktails on balconies looking out onto the scenic surroundings.
Chiang Mai is also a great gateway for those wishing to travel onto Laos or Cambodia. Many travellers choose to take the slow boat into Laos from Chiang Mai which usually takes around two days and is a great way of seeing the surrounding area. Alternatively, if you\'re short of time, Laos Airlines also operate cheap and easy internal flights. Getting to Cambodia from Chiang Mai is also just a short flight away and Thai Airways operate regular flights at purse friendly prices.
Rates: Prices start at £264 per night. Visit Leading Hotels Of The World www.lhw.com or ring 00800 2888 8882 for more information.
Tenerife
holiday,romantic,Namibia,Antigua
Hotel San Roque Tenerfie
Where to stay: Hotel San Roque
Why we love it: As well as being family friendly, Tenerife has the added benefit of being just a short flight away making it an ideal winter sun destination.
Hotel San Roque is the perfect destination for anyone looking to get away from it all and completely relax in luxurious surroundings. Spaces have been created at the hotel where guests can retreat to unwind or take in the artistic design of every inch of the hotel. Every measure has been taken to ensure the hotel takes advantage of its surroundings and even the open-air pool has been carved from volcanic lava. For real sun worshippers there\'s a rooftop solarium, perfect for topping up the tan or, if you don\'t fancy leaving the privacy of your room you can relax in your very own jacuzzi. For restless types, the hotel offers plenty of outdoor activities such as mountain bike trails, fishing off the Garachico coast, hiking, driving, horse-riding, surfing and para-gliding.
Rates: Prices start from £133 per night. Visit hotelsanroque.com for more information.
