When the winter blues really take hold, nothing puts a smile on our faces like the prospect of a winter getaway. Whether you’re in the mood for some city exploring or your idea of a perfect trip is soaking up some much sought after rays on the beach, one of these destinations should tick all of the boxes. 

Rome

I’ve been to Rome once before, as part of a summer holiday in Italy. I was taken aback by this exciting and beautiful city, and fell in love with the winding streets, iconic landmarks and rich culture – but it was just so hot!

I spent most of the trip hiding from the scorching sun and drowning myself in bottled water. As I cast my coin over my shoulder into the Trevi Fountain, I vowed that the next time I returned to this city, I would do so in the winter.

Lee Marshall’s Telegraph article provides everything you need to know about visiting the Eternal City during the winter months, and is a good place to pick up tips on things to see and do during your trip.

You can even do this break on a budget. Providing you’re not travelling too close to Christmas, rooms will be relatively cheap in comparison to the peak season. What’s more, you can find cheap flights from UK airports with budget carriers like easyJet and Ryanair.

Tickets are always cheaper if you don’t need to place luggage in the hold, so this a great way of saving money on weekend breaks. Take a look at the range of Samsonite cabin luggage, which is part of the wider selection of Samsonite luggage at DCH Supplies. As well as reducing the price of your ticket, taking just cabin luggage cuts the time you need to spend in the airport. You won’t need to check in hours in advance and you can simply walk off at the other end and get exploring.

Salzburg

Fancy something a little more Christmassy? Then I can’t think of a better destination than the city in which ‘Silent Night’ was written.

Salzburg is a beautiful place, regardless of the time of year you’re visiting; but around Christmas, when the city is dusted with snow and draped in twinkling lights, it’s like something from the front of a chocolate box!

An absolute must is a visit to the Christmas Markets, where travellers could spend many a festive hour exploring the quaint wooden chalets selling spicy mulled wine, handmade toys and treats that make perfect gifts for loved ones back home.

Viator.com offer a great Christmas Market tour, in both Salzburg itself and the surrounding countryside; this includes a scenic boat ride to the quaint St Wolfgang market, where you can admire the winter wonderland scenery as you shop for festive treats.

The Canaries

The dark nights and biting winter chills getting you down? If you’re in need of some sunshine, there’s a bargain to be had if you’re prepared to fly a few hours south.

The Canary Islands lie off the western coast of Africa, so they enjoy year round sunshine and warm temperatures during the winter months and are refreshingly pleasant for those of us dwelling in chillier climates. A wonderful place to visit is the charming resort of Costa Teguise, on the smaller island of Lanzarote. The resort is a hive of activity during the summer, but the pace of life slows to a gentle stroll during the winter.

For something a little more active, head to the bigger resort of Puerto Del Carmen, where the winter sun attracts masses of travellers in search of a break from the terrible weather. You can find a huge selection of Lanzarote holidays online at Thomson.

Put thoughts of central heating and defrosting the car windscreen to the back of your mind, as you enjoy ice cold beers and traditional Spanish tapas in the sun! Now that’s sure to reinvigorate and prepare you for the long winter ahead.

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