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Winter sun is a Southern Europe speciality – year-round warmth in the Canaries and cooler climes with fewer crowds in Greece, Italy, Cyprus and Madeira strike the perfect balance for sun and sightseeing.

A sleek seaside playground just for grown-ups

Moments from a private sliver of volcanic sands, all inclusive and adults only Secrets Lanzarote Resort & Spa has grandstand ocean views and grown-up glamorous vibes. Light lunches are taken by one of the four beautifully designed pools.

There’s a laid-back approach in the cool dining venues, with everything from sophisticated Italian to sushi on offer. Or you could take relaxation to the next level with a dreamy aloe vera massage and a session in the spa’s gorgeous hydrotherapy suite.

Top tip: Upgrade to a Preferred Club Room for free afternoon snacks, an exclusive pool and personal concierge service.

7 nights Half Board from £1499pp based on 27 November 2023 departure on British Airways from Gatwick. Save up to 15%.

Made for five-star family times by the beach

Overlooking a sheltered sandy beach, this polished Costa Adeje resort puts families front and centre. Happy half terms or Christmas breaks come from Iberostar Selection Anthelia, Tenerife’s ideal balance of relaxed eateries and fabulous kids’ club for ages four to 17 that gives parents some downtime to check out the wellness-boosting spa.

Sunny, but not scorching, days are the perfect stage for island explorations – if you can tear the children away from the pirate ship in their own dedicated pool or yourself from the blissfully peaceful one just for adults.

7 nights All Inclusive from £7999 per family of 4 based on 10 February 2024 departure on British Airways from Gatwick.

This cool coastal Paphos bolthole has all-round appeal

With its Design Hotel pedigree, inspired facilities and pitchperfect location, Almyra, Cyprus is a winner for all ages. To call it Instagram-worthy is an understatement, with dreamy locations for social-media bragging that range from an airy spa and rooftop yoga studio to the infinity-poolside fireplace for cooler months.

The food is just as photogenic, whether you’re having a laughter-filled family lunch al fresco or a romantic date-night dinner by candlelight. For a change of backdrop from chic modernity to Roman ruins, the mosaic-dotted remains of Nea Paphos are an easy stroll away.

7 nights Full Board from £1249pp based on selected March 2024 departures on British Airways from Gatwick. Save up to 10%.

Step back in time at this Taormina grande dame

First opened in 1904, Excelsior Palace Hotel, Sicily is a classic property that has one of the best settings in Taormina, on a rocky outcrop just steps from the oldest medieval city gate. There are striking panoramic views at every turn – down over the lush gardens to the beautiful pool and cobalt sea beyond, across to simmering Mount Etna and over the rooftops of the historic centre. Days here slip by effortlessly, from breakfasts of home-cooked Sicilian pastries on the terrace to strolls through the town’s winding cobbled streets and a cooling dip to finish. It’s all charmingly, and irresistibly, old school.

Top tip: Book one of the Superior Rooms for palm-studded views of a medieval convent or Mount Etna.

7 nights Room & Breakfast from £899pp based on selected November 2023 departures on easyJet from Gatwick. Includes 1 Bonus Night.

Mingle with the A-list in this chic Cretan hideaway

The word ‘getaway’ could have been coined for this boutique resort, whose suites and villas are draped down a hillside giving wow-factor views of Mirabello Bay below. Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites, Crete is designed for ultimate relaxation, from the infinity pool at one end to the slick crèche and kids’ club – a bonus for weary parents – at the other.

Spend the time lazing by the water, grazing on exquisite farm-to-fork food and de-stressing with an in-villa spa ritual, with forays to visit organic farms, taste Cretan wines or cruise to nearby sights.

Top tip: Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites Private Beach Club, a 10-minute shuttle ride away, is a stylish slice of heaven for gourmets and watersports fans alike.

7 nights Half Board from £1199pp based on selected October 2023 departures on easyJet from Gatwick. Save up to 50%.

Indulge your inner foodie on Madeira’s south coast

The setting and the dining share top billing at The Cliff Bay, Madeira, a refined Madeiran coastal resort. Perched high above the ocean, it provides incredible views of Funchal and the moody Atlantic. Fortunately, there’s a lift to the shore-level bathing area, complete with a saltwater pool and a pontoon for sea dips – although the elevated spa and adjoining indoor/outdoor pool are more tempting on cooler days.

As for the food, there are options for the most exacting diners, including tasting menus at a two Michelin-starred restaurant, barbecues by the water and Asian flavours with a modern twist.

Top tip: Afternoon tea, preferably on the terrace, is something of an institution here, and not to be missed.

7 nights Room & Breakfast from £1399pp based on 4 February 2024 departure on easyJet from Gatwick. Save up to 10%.