Winter sun: half-term holidays for the family

Smartphones work pretty much anywhere, says Simpson Millar’s Head of Travel Law Nick Harris, so here are 10 destinations, all easy to research and book online, that’ll give the whole family a post-summer smile.

Marrakech, Morocco

October is the finest time of year in this north African country. Morocco is a region so culturally fascinating it’s an education for the children in itself. But move fast: package breaks at the lower end of the cost scale are selling rapidly and it can be expensive to fly at weekends.

Red Sea, Egypt

You’ll find some excellent, good-value hotels in Egypt which, despite the recent turbulence, still offers a safe, secure, enjoyable and cost-effective winter break.

Costa del Sol, Spain

Summer lingers longer at Spain’s southernmost mainland spot. Although flight costs have started rising, Costa del Sol still offers lots of holiday opportunity at reasonable prices.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

You can’t go far wrong in Tenerife, with great hotels, a lovely climate and a comparatively short flying time. Although flights are becoming more expensive, you can still find reasonable packages.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Lanzarote is said to welcome families more than anywhere else in the Canaries, particularly near sunny Playa Blanca. The drawbacks compared to Tenerife are the relatively few flights and hotels – the best deals usually need to be arranged 6 months in advance.

Cyprus

The Mediterranian’s longest Summer, favourite locations are Paphos and the fine western coastline near Latchi.

Crete

Although Cyprus is a little warmer, Crete is excellent value for a half-term break, with beautiful historical sites that can be appreciated without the intense heat of high summer. Shop around for the best flight packages.

Dubai, UAE

It gets busy, but Dubai is a true sun-worshipper’s paradise if you’re okay with higher-price 4-star accommodation. The flight is comparatively lengthy, so bear this in mind if you’ve young children.

Florida, USA

Florida’s arguably too steamy during mid-summer, but in October the temperature and sunshine hours are lovely. And the Keys and the Everglades are a must-see.

Sicily, Italy

Italy’s endlessly interesting ‘ball’ on the end of the ‘boot’ has it all – sun, sea and sand, Greek and Norman history, culture and magnificent cuisine.

The destinations listed above offer the best combinations of winter sun, amenities that’ll keep both adults and kids happy and, of course, good value. But move fast: half-term is looming, and the best value deals are selling like hot cakes.

And wherever you go, don’t forget travel insurance and vigilance – the last thing you want is to find you’ve to seek compensation on your return because of hoteliers’ failings.