The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote & Gran Canaria)

The Canaries share the UK's time zone, so there is no jet lag, and the flight is around four hours from most regional airports. Winter highs hover around 20-22C, warm enough for the beach and pool without being uncomfortable, and the southern resorts of each island are the driest. Tenerife's Costa Adeje is the strongest for polished five-star all-inclusive properties, Lanzarote's Playa Blanca is the calmest and most family-friendly, and Gran Canaria offers the widest spread of budgets. Because operators fly here year-round in huge volume, competition keeps prices keen and last-minute deals plentiful. The one honest caveat: this is Atlantic warmth, not tropical heat, and cooler, breezier days do happen in January. Against Cape Verde below, you trade a couple of degrees of warmth (20-22C rather than 22-25C) for a shorter flight, no jet lag and a starting price around £150 lower, which is why it tops the list for anyone whose priority is easy, affordable sun rather than guaranteed heat.