Hot deals great escapes
It's not too late to snap up a luxury winter break at a bargain-basement price, says Ian McCurrach
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Your support makes all the difference.1. Dominican deal
The Dominican Republic is ideal for beachcombers who want to head slightly off the beaten track. Chill out on the long white-sand beaches or trek through the mountains. The warm tropical waters are great for snorkelling and diving.
Sunshine hours: 6
Average daily temp: 29C
Contact: Travelocity (0870-111 7087; travel ocity.co.uk) offers a seven-night all-inclusive break at the four-star Bahia Principe San Juan from £589, based on two sharing, including return flights and transfers.
2. Red Sea stroll
Egypt's five-star Abu Soma Resort on the Red Sea is set in landscaped gardens near the beach and has extensive facilities, including four bars, five restaurants, two pools - indoor and outdoor - two tennis courts, gym; squash courts, riding stables and all the usual watersports.
Sunshine hours: 7
Average daily temp: 24C
Contact: Save £300 per adult and £53 per child when you book a seven-night all-inclusive break at Abu Soma Beach Resort through Mark Warner (0870-770 4226; markwarner.co.uk). The price is £395 per adult and £295 per child sharing with parents, including flights and transfers.
3. Indian summer
Soak up the Goan sun at the four-star Resort Sun Village in Arpora, which is near the bustle of Baga. The modern, spacious hotel has four restaurants and two pools. Close to the resort there is a lively market and local restaurants.
Sunshine hours: 10
Average daily temp: 28C
Contact: Save £246 on an Odyssey Holidays (0870-429 5090; odyssey holidays.com) seven-night all-inclusive break at the four-star Resort Sun Village. Costs £575 per person, based on two sharing, including flights and transfers.
4. Thai luxury
Lap up the winter rays at one of Thailand's best luxury couples' resorts. Five-star Tubkaak Krabi sits on a deserted beach and is built into the rising hillside jungle. The 44 rooms blend in with the surroundings and each has its own unique character with sunken baths and outdoor showers.
Sunshine hours: 9
Average daily temp: 32C
Contact: Save about £200 with Voyana (020-8515 4605; voyana.com), which offers a seven-night half-board break at the five-star Tubkaak Krabi from £965 per person, based on two sharing, including flights and transfers.
5. Moroccan cool
Hedonists head for Marrakech and the über-hip Riad Lotus Perle near the city's souk. Designed by Antoine van Doorne, Perle combines Moroccan heritage with state-of-the-art facilities. Rooms have plasma TV, wi-fi, B&O music system and DVD as standard. Relax by the pool or under the Touareg-style tent on the terrace.
Sunshine hours: 8
Average daily temp: 20C
Contact: Riad Lotus Perle (00 212 44 44 14 05; riad lotus.com) offers double rooms from £140 per night. Atlas-Blue.com flies Gatwick-Marrakech from £150 return.
6. Pacific waves
See the unique sight of surfers mastering the biggest waves in the world as they pound the Hawaiian North Shore on the island of Maui. Then try your hand at the sport on some of the more benign beaches or snorkel among rainbow-coloured shoals of tropical fish. Or you can explore the island in an open-top Jeep.
Sunshine hours: 12
Average daily temp: 27C
Contact: Black Tomato (020-7610 9008; black tomato.co.uk) is offering a seven-night b&b break at the Four Seasons Resort Wailea from £999 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights via Los Angeles.
7. Hip Jamaica
Live it up on Treasure Beach at Jake's, which has gone from "chicest shack in the Caribbean" (Vogue 1999) to "Jamaica's hippest hotel" (Vogue 2005). Jake's 23 villas are steps away from the Caribbean sea and the complex comprises two restaurants and the popular Duggie bar.
Sunshine hours: 8
Average daily temp: 27C
Contact: Caribtours (020-7751 0660; caribtours .co.uk) offers a seven-night room-only break from £965 per person, including return flights with Air Jamaica and private transfers.
8. Gulf boutique
Hole up at Abu Dhabi's five-star boutique Al Raha Beach Hotel set in landscaped gardens on the Raha Corniche on the Arabian Gulf. Enjoy the sun on the beach, take a picnic in the park or explore the city's harbour, souks and malls. Or join a desert safari or a trip to the oasis of Al Ain.
Sunshine hours: 8
Average daily temp: 25C
Contact: Bon Voyage (0800-316 0194; bon- voyage.co.uk) offers a four-night b&b break at the Al Raha Beach Hotel from £619 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights.
9. Canary chill-out
The resort of Playa Blanca in Lanzarote was originally a small fishing village and has great views from the harbour of Fuerteventura and Los Lobos. The four-star Rubicon Palace Hotel is situated on the seafront and has five outdoor pools, an open-air Jacuzzi, two tennis courts, mini-golf, archery and a shooting range.
Sunshine hours: 8
Average daily temp: 24C
Contact: Whitehall Leisure (020-7340 1030; whitehall-leisure.co.uk) offers a seven-night half-board break at the Rubicon Palace Hotel from £439 per person and £199 per child, based on two adults and one child sharing a room, including flights and transfers.
10. Miami Zen
Join the party at The Catalina Hotel and Beach Club, South Beach's newest boutique art deco hotel. Relax on the luxury cabana beds by the pool, chill out in the Zen courtyard and enjoy pampering spa treatments.
Sunshine hours: 8
Average daily temp: 28C
Contact: The Catalina Hotel and Beach Club, Miami (001 305 674 1160; catalinahotel.com) offers a seven-night b&b break from £565 per person, based on two sharing, including return airport shuttle, free beach chairs, cruiser bikes, nightly cocktail hour and VIP club passes. British Airways (0870-850 9850; ba.com) has return flights from £298 until Tuesday.
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