There's nothing like booking a cheap holiday in the sunshine for banishing those winter blues. The good news to the dropping temperatures is that not only can you cheer yourself up with a holiday, but you can often bag yourself some real bargains at this time of year too.Traveling outside of summertime and the school holidays is usually much cheaper than taking a break in the peak periods - and you'll get the added bonus of fewer crowds! Of course, arriving home in late autumn/winter with a nice golden tan doesn't hurt either.
The key to grabbing yourself a bargain beach break is in choosing the destination. Yes, you want somewhere with sun - but you also don't want to travel in another place's peak season, or you won't be able to take advantage of better prices.
So, focus your attention on destinations that boast year-round sunshine. Often, these will be a little cooler in autumn and winter, but not so much so that you'll feel the need to don your woolies and shun the beach! Below, you can read about some of the best. (Photo "Dawn on the Sea" by skizof)
Benidorm
You can't really go wrong with Benidorm, can you? Located on Spain's Costa Blanca, this has been a massively popular destination among Brits for decades - largely thanks to its combination of British and Spanish charms.
On the British side of things you've got UK-style pubs and good old fish and chips, while on the Spanish front you've got beautiful beaches (two in Benidorm, to be exact) and some very welcome sunshine. Just as a note, while Benidorm has a reputation for being a haunt of the livelier traveler, not to mention its raucous nightlife, it's perfectly possible to have a more chilled-out holiday here. Make sure you check out Playa de Poniente - a beach that's pretty quiet and scenic as well. (Photo "Ell Campello Coastline" by marsjuh_DB)
Alcudia
We head away from mainland Spain and over to the Balearic Islands for the next suggestion - to the town of Alcudia in Majorca, to be more precise. In my opinion, this little town's the perfect place to go to if you want a bargain break away from the hustle and bustle.
What's particularly nice about it is that, despite being relatively quiet, it still has a lot going on. For instance, you can discover its rich history by checking out the ancient gates of the medieval walled city, or take a trip to La Albufeira - a stunning natural park perched right on the bay. Famous for its bird life, the reserve is a great place to visit at any time of year because there are always more than 200 species to spot.
Los Cristianos
Last on the list is the lovely Los Cristianos, a resort on the vibrant island of Tenerife. A reliable choice for an off-season bargain, this is one of those destinations that will please pretty much everyone.
You'll find it near to the famously lively Playa de las Americas, where you can easily head to whenever you please for a wider range of nightlife and suchlike. That said, there's a decent - albeit smaller - selection of restaurants and bars in Los Cristianos, while the two beaches here are quieter than their better-known neighbor too.
