Winter hotspots – Where to go to top up your tan

To coincide with Flight Centre’s October sale, the travel retailer has put together its predictions for the top five destinations for winter 2009 – perfect for Brits who want to experience some sunshine on a budget.

Based on current levels of customer enquiry, Flight Centre predicts the Middle East to be popular this winter with holiday makers taking advantage of the guaranteed sunshine and great value deals on offer. Dubai, in particular, continues to grow in popularity - with its top quality hotels and resorts and an abundance of duty free shops offering plenty of opportunity for retail therapy.

For those happy to travel a little further afield, the Far East is also offering fantastic value with airlines and hotels keen to fill their seats and beds by offering discount prices. Thailand, the go-to destination for gap-year travellers, is predicted to see a boom in popularity as a family holiday hot-spot. With food and drink prices considerably lower than Europe, warm weather and a number of family friendly resorts, Thailand is expected to be a real hit as the UK winter draws in.

David Forder, Flight Centre Marketing Manager, said: “With this year’s ‘barbeque summer’ never really materialising, we’ve put together unbeatable winter sun deals for anyone who feels cheated by the summer washout.”

Flight Centre’s Top 5 winter sun destinations:

1. Dubai: Dubai City Break – 4 nights – was £484 now £399
Holiday includes return airfare and four nights’ accommodation at the 3* Golden Sands Hotel, based on two people sharing. Departs London Gatwick. This offer is valid for travel between 12 November – 09 December 09, offer ends 31 October 09.
Bonus Save £85

2. Thailand: Koh Samui Beach Holiday – 8 nights – was £975 now £799
Holiday includes return airfare and eight nights’ accommodation at the 4* Impiana Resort and Spa, based on two people sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. Departs various London airports. This offer is valid for travel until 30 November 09, offer ends 31 October 09.
Bonus Save £176

3. Egypt: Sharm el Sheikh All Inclusive – 7 nights – was £439 now £369
Holiday includes return airfare and seven nights’ all-inclusive accommodation at the 4* Three Corners Palmyra Resort , based on two people sharing. Departs London Gatwick. This offer is valid for travel between 15 November 09 – 20 February 10, offer ends 1 December 09.
Bonus Save £70

4. Antigua: Grand Pineapple Beach Antigua – 7 nights – was £1384 now £969
Holiday includes return airfare and seven nights’ all-inclusive accommodation at the 3.5* Grand Pinapple Beach Hotel, based on two people sharing. Departs London Gatwick. This offer is valid for travel between 10 January – 31 January 10, offer ends 31 October 09.
Bonus Save £415

5. Australia: Queensland Campervan Holiday – 14 nights – was £1310 now £1055
Holiday includes return airfare and 15 days’ campervan hire, based on two people sharing. Departs London Gatwick. This offer is valid for travel between 01 February – 31 March 10, offer ends 31 October 09.
Bonus Save £225

Sydney, Rock and Reef – 14 nights – was £1807 now £1569
Holiday includes return airfare, all internal airfares, four nights’ accommodation at the 4* Breakfree on George, Sydney, two nights’ accommodation at the 4* Voyages Outback Pioneer, Ayers Rock Resort, and eight nights’ accommodation at the 4* Amaroo Trinity, Trinity Beach, Cairns, all based on two people sharing. Offer also includes Great Barrier Reef Cruise day-tour and Kuranda Scenic and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway day-tour. Departs London Heathrow. This deal is valid for travel between 08 February – 18 March 10, offer ends 31 October 09.
Bonus Save £238

To book any of these deals, or for more information, visit flightcentre.co.uk.

Any customer that books a holiday this month is automatically entered into a draw to win a fantastic holiday for two to Sydney, Australia.

Win a Discover the other OZ holiday valued over £5,000
Try an alternative to the usual ‘Australia’ and visit Melbourne in Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory, where you will find some of the best vineyards in the world, stunning nature, wildlife and seascapes, history, luxury and adventure.
Simply make a booking in-store or online in the month of October and you could win:
• 2 x return economy flights from London to Melbourne
• All internal flights, to allow you to visit South Australia, Northern Territory and Victoria
• 18 nights’ 4-star accommodation for 2 people including; 6 nights in Victoria, 6 nights in South Australia and 6 nights in the Northern Territory!
See: flightcentre.co.uk/travelguide/australia/discovertheotherOZ/booking-form