As France heads into its long winter, the desire to finish or start the year in the sun is already making itself felt. Here's a closer look at the sunny destinations not to be missed this winter.
Where can you take your family this winter?
Are you ready to head off to Cape Verde, to this archipelago of 10 islands lost in the middle of the Atlantic, more than 500 kilometers from the coast of Senegal? In a Creole country where the inhabitants are always smiling and greeting you? A country where each of these very specific islands is sung about by natives who express their love for them in song? Known to many thanks to the sublime diva Césaria Evora and a former Portuguese colony, Cape Verde has innumerable assets to satisfy every one of your travel and vacation wishes: hiking in Santo Antão or São Nicolau, but also in Santiago; idleness or water sports in Sal and Boa Vista; climbing a dormant volcano in a landscape straight from another planet in Fogo.... And the sun is bound to be out in force, as Cape Verde can be visited all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C and water at 24°C. Sun cream is a must!
In California, there's something for the whole family to enjoy. Take your first steps in one of California's mythical cities. San Francisco, the rebel, the European, the idealist; Los Angeles, the charmer, the excessive dreamer, the sunny; San Diego, the Hispanic, the authentic... Between these vast urban spaces, you'll find a generous and incredibly contrasting natural environment, often damaged by the fires of recent years. From arid deserts to large national parks, via the Pacific coast, sometimes artistic and wild, sometimes glamorous yet indomitable, the Golden State reveals many of its secrets. All under the year-round sunshine of the western United States.
The name Marrakech conjures up images of exotic Orientalism the world over In the 70s, the city nicknamed the Red City became the object of every artistic movement and the spotlight of jet-set itineraries, creating a tourist craze by attracting visitors from all over the world - never tired of its charm and power of attraction. Life in the medina, with its craftsmen and water vendors, and the ballet of horse-drawn carriages, is still simple and traditional. But the sophisticated bars and clubs reveal another reality of Morocco: that of luxury and tolerance. Golf, spas, shopping, heritage, galleries, pastry-making classes - there's no shortage of activities to delight young and old alike. Marrakech's year-round sunny climate, its flamboyant colors under the sun, its palaces, its princely gastronomy, the backdrop of the Atlas snows and its mythical square leave no one indifferent.
Where to go this winter for cheap?
Just 115 kilometers from the African mainland, Lanzarote is both the easternmost and northernmost of the seven Canary Islands, making it an ideal winter surfing destination. Its main attraction, apart from its year-round sunshine and affordable prices? The rare and striking beauty of its lava fields and extraordinary volcanoes, 300 in all, which give Lanzarote its distinctive black color. And of course, a visit to Timanfaya National Park is an absolute must on any trip to Lanzarote. It's also an opportunity to discover the mark left by César Manrique all over the island: watchtowers, restaurants and even his own house. If you move away from the coast, which is rather better preserved than on the other islands, you'll find many villages where you can appreciate the traditional architecture of low, white houses, festivals and small markets. Of course, Lanzarote is also a water sports paradise.
Crystal-clear waters, medieval citadels and megalithic temples: these are the three treasures of Malta, an island in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. Less than 100 km south of Sicily and opposite Tunisia, the island has always occupied a strategic position at the center of the Mediterranean basin, giving rise today to a delicious syncretism. A visit to Malta will take you from the sheer cliffs of its coastline to the quiet lanes of medieval towns like Mdina and Victoria, and the Renaissance splendor of Valletta. Or plunge into the fascinating corridors of a Hypogeum built in 5000 B.C. and then admire the Caribbean waters of Comino. If its palaces, churches, fortifications and majestic monuments will delight lovers of history and old stones, Malta will also satisfy the most prosaic pleasures: enjoying its gastronomy while taking in the sunset or diving into the deep blue sea. And there's plenty to celebrate too!
Where to sunbathe in Europe this winter?
An open-air museum and a city of many faces, Rome offers a perpetual journey through its churches, basilicas and precious remains. The Italian capital is synonymous with dolce vita, even under its winter sun, a city of art and art de vivre, where you can imagine vespas cruising down pedestrian lanes, terraces sprawling across pretty squares... In the city of emperors, saints and movie stars, every street, every fountain and even the smallest garden hides a story, an anecdote, a secret from Antiquity to the present day. In each of its neighborhoods, Rome - a sunny destination where you don't have to take a plane- also abounds in cafés, trattorie, fashion boutiques and artisan workshops: it's up to you to discover them as you stroll along. As for Roman gastronomy, it has a long history: elevated to the rank of an art form, it has managed to retain its family character, reminiscent of meals at the mamma' s house!
Crete is a dazzling natural landscape of crystal-clear lagoons, endless olive groves, authentic mountain villages and rocky gorges. The cradle of Minoan civilization, a land of history and multiple heritages, the island known as the "Island of the Gods" or the "Big Island" proudly bears witness to the riches of its past. You can visit palaces and ancient sites, such as the famous Palace of Knossos, and enter peaceful monasteries, Byzantine churches and secluded chapels. Admire the treasures of its museums and the buildings from distant eras that adorn its cities. Let yourself be carried away by the sounds of the lyre and the lute. From Chania to Rethymnon, we venture into the labyrinthine streets of these old towns full of excitement and charm, where the sun shines all year round.
Where to sunbathe this winter not far from France?
Thanks to its climate and beaches, this southern part of Cap Bon has been a tourist destination since the end of the Second World War. Today, along with Djerba, Hammamet, a sunny destination less than 3 hours' flight from Paris, is one of Tunisia's two major tourist destinations. The medina remains a very pleasant place to stroll, with its white houses and colorful doors sheltering some of the inhabitants. Thanks to stiff competition, the quality of Hammamet's restaurants is pretty good, and there are plenty of bars to party in. And under the Tunisian sun, winter is particularly mild and pleasant. Of course, Hammamet is also a good starting point for exploring the Tunisian coast or the capital Tunis.
After changing hands a number of times, it wasn't until the Napoleonic era and the work of Murat that Bari was developed to the south of the historic center. Today, the city, a choice destination less than 2 hours' flight from France, has a triple face: the historic side, around the Latin Basilica, in the old town, where alleyways and alleys intertwine in a complex labyrinth; the Napoleonic side, with the Burgo Muratiano, an ultra-shopping district with checkerboard streets located between the old town and the railway station; and finally, the port districts, scattered on either side of the old town, where pretty seaside promenades alternate with the ferry docks. In short, an ideal gateway to Puglia's winter sunshine.
Read more: What to do and see in Puglia? The 21 must-sees and Top 15 most beautiful villages in Puglia
Where to sunbathe this winter in France?
In France, if you're looking for a few rays of sunshine in the middle of winter, head for Corsica and Ajaccio, one of our top destinations to visit in January. The birthplace of Napoleon I, whose gulf has inspired the greatest writers and poets and provides access to the famous Sanguinaires islands and the great site of La Parata, Ajaccio boasts one of France's most beautiful museums and Napoleonic monuments, while its Chemin des Crêtes offers an exceptional historical, cultural and visual panorama. Ajaccio is Corsica's regional capital and county town. It's the island's largest city, and it's very pleasant to sit on the terrace of one of the city's many bars in a magnificent setting.
Guadeloupe is an archipelago that is one of the most popular vacation destinations for the French, especially when the cold is raging in mainland France. On arrival, the rewards of an 8-hour flight are visible through the porthole: the ocean oscillates between turquoise and deep blue, depending on the seabed, and majestic forests form a carpet of greenery. Guadeloupe will seduce you with its diversity of landscapes and populations, from bustling Grande-Terre to lush Basse-Terre, welcoming Marie-Galante, authentic Désirade, charming Saintes and protected Petite-Terre. Its superb white sandy beaches lined with coconut palms are, of course, a major asset in the middle of winter. It's one of the best destinations to visit during the February vacations. However, the hikes that take you to extraordinary sites are just as rich. And let's not forget the flavors of Guadeloupean cuisine and its famous rums, another charming asset!
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