by Katerina Nikolas

Created on: December 21, 2011   Last Updated: December 22, 2011

Escaping the drab, dreary and dreadful weather that winter inevitably heralds, for a holiday destination in the sun, offers a welcome warm and sunny interlude, often at bargain prices. Holidaying outside the traditional peak months has many advantages, including less crowds, lower prices, and greater opportunities to experience the locale in a more intimate way.

Uprisings in North Africa have provided adventurous travellers with the opportunity of real bargains. Internal disruptions and insecurity have dramatically decreased the number of tourists visiting Tunisia and Egypt, which are dependant on tourist revenues. Whilst it may be too soon to consider exploring the sites of Libya, Tunisia is an ideal winter destination for sun seekers.

Tunisia is a wonderful country to discover, offering white sandy beaches, desert dunes, and a rich cultural heritage. Popular coastal vacation spots include Monastir, Port El Kantaoui, Hammamet and Sousse. Vacations can be spent by the pool or the sea, exploring the sites of Tunis and Carthage, combined with great shopping opportunities in the souks and markets. It pays to brush up on ones haggling skills before departure.

Tourism to Egypt has been decimated, as images of protests and violence have deterred most holidaymakers. Whilst Cairo may not be the safest destination to choose, resorts such as Luxor, Sharm El Sheik and Aswan offer a safe retreat, heavily discounted. There are many all inclusive packages available to Egypt, offering the opportunity to visit ancient treasures, Pyramids and the wonders of the Nile Valley. Due to the decline in the number of visitors, those who choose to visit Egypt are sure of quiet beaches for a sun soaked break.

The Red Sea resorts of Egypt are just one recommended choice of Sunday Times travel writer Mark Hodson. He also suggests Tenerife and Madeira, with Cyprus another choice for sunshine. The Island of Madeira is an option for those seeking a peaceful destination, although it isn’t exactly cheap unless a last minute bargain is up for grabs.

Destinations further afield can be affordable if one is prepared to book on very short notice in order to snap up the best bargains which can be considerably reduced at the last moment. Often last minute offers may not disclose the actual resort destination in a country, but if one has researched the country in advance this should not pose a problem. It can also turn out to be a pleasant surprise.

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