Brad Young, Live News Reporter
According to the British Association of Travel Agents, January and February are often the cheapest times of the year to travel.
Lower demand means cheaper flights and hotel bookings, whether you’re looking to escape the British winter for a sunny spot or enjoy the ski season abroad.
And with energy costs still high, spending time away from home where you would normally pay for heating may make more financial sense than traveling in the summer.
Sky News spoke to travel experts ABTA’s Sean Tipton and Thomas Cook’s David Child about where holidaymakers can get their money’s worth.
Mr Tipton said both experts recommended Spain as the “best time to escape the heat” during Malaga’s 17-degree winter.
“In fact, this is a very sensible time to travel, and prices are low. Plus, you get a break from the most depressing time of the year,” he says.
Alternatively, the Costa Brava could have a third less than Mallorca or the Canary Islands, Child added.
“The Canary Islands are the cliché destination for the winter sun at this time of year. In fact, this is peak time,” says Tipton.
However, if you are going to the islands, we recommend trying La Gomera, which is less popular, cheaper, and perfect for nature lovers.
North African countries such as Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco also offer affordable respite for sun lovers, Child says.
He recommended Morocco’s Agadir city as a “particularly good deal” as it is less well-known than Marrakech, but pointed to some “really good beach resorts” along the coastline and around Taghazou.
“It is popular in the summer, is a very cheap holiday destination in the winter, and has all the infrastructure, including restaurants, bars and great hotels.
“If you can save money on heating your home to offset the cost of your vacation, even better.”
skiing
If sunbathing isn’t your thing, Tipton says northern Spain is “a little-kept secret for British holidaymakers”.
“Compared to traditional resorts in France and Switzerland, it’s a great value.”
Skiers should also consider Bulgaria “if they have young children who have never skied before.”
Andorra is a “good deal” and Eastern European countries such as Poland also have “very good ski resorts”.
further away
“We’re also seeing people going further afield. Long-haul locations, where it might be a little cheaper once you get there,” Child said.
Bali, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Goa in southern India are where he thinks the pound will rise further.
Tipton says, “I highly recommend South Africa. Again, the flights aren’t that cheap, but once you get there it’s an incredible deal.”