10 beach holiday deals: escape to the sun

Still not convinced that spring has sprung? Here is our round-up of holiday deals in warmer climes for those seeking a last-minute getaway

A boat in Scala dei Turchi

There was brief respite for some of us at the weekend, as the sun made a rare UK appearance. Sadly, forecasters say we have another fairly grim week ahead before things pick up again. If this feels like it's too little, too late, don't despair. On a brighter note, there are deals out there that will help you overcome your vitamin D deficiency. Here's our pick of 10 of the best escapes over the next month.

Morocco

In Mirleft, a coastal village south of Agadir and 30km or so from the pleasant seaside town of Sidi Ifni, the temperature this week will average 23C. Attracting visitors in search of peace and quiet and excellent beaches, the village is a dusty and slightly bohemian place, with a few simple restaurants and cafes. The Kasbah Tabelkoukt is a stylish guesthouse, just south of the village on a cliff overlooking (and with direct access to) a wild, secluded beach where you can surf. The hotel is decorated in an African style and has a small spa, plus rooms in a main house (the "Kasbah") and some stone cottages set amid gardens. Rooms cost £85 per night B&B for a stay of four nights, an exclusive offer available from Epic Morocco (epicmorocco.co.uk, 020 8150 6131). Fly to Agadir, a 1.5hr drive away, with easyJet for £193 return, departing on April 23.

Pelion peninsula, Greece

The Pelion peninsula on mainland Greece is where forested mountains plunge into clear blue sea; inland sleepy mountain villages, little changed in centuries, are said to be among the most beautiful in the country. Go at the end of April when temperatures should be around 20C-24C and you'll catch the Greek Easter celebrations. The most important celebration in the Greek Orthodox calendar is marked with street processions and fireworks. Ionian & Aegean Holidays is offering seven nights in a small off-the-beaten-track hotel, set among olive trees and overlooking the Pagasitic Gulf, from £402pp B&B, a saving of 35%, departing on 3 May. The price includes flights from Gatwick (or Manchester for a supplement of £25 per person) and transfers.

Mykonos, Greece

If you prefer more of a buzz, this deal to Mykonos could be the ticket. Travelzoo (travelzoo.com) is offering a week at the luxury, adults-only Pietra e Mare Beach Hotel, from £399pp, a saving of £350 on the original price. Available on selected dates during May and June, the price includes return flights from Gatwick, Luton or Manchester; seven nights' B&B; a welcome drink and food on arrival. Must book by 16 April.

Southern Spain

Conil de la Frontera, Spain. 

The rain's been a pain in Spain lately but, in the south at least, it is expected to brighten up from this week. Go Learn To (golearnto.com) has reduced the price of its week-long surf and yoga holiday, from £331 to £216. Based in Conil de la Frontera on the Costa de la Luz, the trip includes daily surf lessons and three yoga classes. Price is based on two sharing and doesn't include flights. For arrival between 21 and 28 April, when the temperature is forecast to be up in the early 20s, you can fly to nearby Jerez from Stansted from £87 return with Ryanair (Ryanair.com).

Sicily

How about swapping hot porridge in the morning for an Italian breakfast in a Sicilian garden, featuring homemade crostata di mele (apple tart)? It's indulgent but you can burn off some of those extra calories with a walk along the white marlstone cliffs in the island's southern region of Scala Dei Turchi, which translates as Stairway of the Turks. La Bianca Scogliera (realmonte-bb.it +39 09 2281 4554) is a homely, cliff-top B&B in the area, with rooms at £42 per night and plenty of home cooking by your host, Signora Graziella. EasyJet (easyjet.com) has flights from Gatwick to Palermo, in the island's north-west, from £107 return this month.

Anguilla, Caribbean

While it has its share of luxury hotels, sleepy Anguilla has escaped much of the development that has blighted some of the Caribbean. Even while staying in a slick and stylish resort, such as the Viceroy, it's easy to dip into the island's local culture, finding cold beers, reggae beats and gatherings around smoky barbecues. Virgin Holidays and Hip Hotels are offering five nights in Anguilla from £1,299pp – saving up to £280pp – including flights from Gatwick, transfers and B&B accommodation. Prices are based on select departures from 13 April to 30 June, and must be booked by 15 April (vhiphotels.co.uk, 0844 573 2460).

Malaysia

More tropical beaches ... this time the powder-white sands of Malaysia. The Andaman resort on the tropical island of Langkawi sits between rainforest and coral reef and offers an array of activities, including bird watching, kayaking, swimming and jungle trekking, guided eco-trails, plus there's a spa to unwind in afterwards. Trailfinders is currently offering a seven-night stay for £1,249pp (originally £1,749), including flights from Heathrow and transfers, for departures between 15 April and 30 May (trailfinders.com, 020 7368 1200).

Brazil

 

Bossa in Rio, a 'boutique hostel' within easy reach of the beach

Prices of flights to Brazil – or, indeed, anywhere in South America – are usually pretty steep. But Portuguese airline TAP is currently offering flights from Heathrow or Gatwick to Rio, via Lisbon or Porto, from £526, including taxes. The sale – which runs until 15 April for travel until 31 May – covers Rio (£526), São Paulo (£546), Salvador (£546) and Recife (£661), including taxes and surcharges. Hotels can be pricey, too, so save some cash by booking into Bossa, a smart hostel in an old mansion within the atmospheric and boho neighbourhood of Santa Teresa, which is all winding streets, art galleries and independent cafes. At the end of April the larger dorms start from £12pp, but there are private rooms too. A week in a junior suite from 27 April costs around £57 per night, based on two sharing.

South-east Asia

Malaysia Airlines (malaysiaairlines.com, 0871 423 9090) is offering savings on flights to south-east Asia for bookings made by 19 April for travel up until 31 May. Return economy fares from Heathrow cost from £579 to Phuket, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City; from £589 to Bangkok and Singapore; and from £599 to Kuala Lumpur, saving up to £300 on the usual fares.

In Thailand, an hour or so north of Phuket, on the Andaman Sea, Kantary Beach (kantarycollection.com, +66 7658 4700, rooms from £40) is one of the best resorts. The contemporary designer rooms are massive – each comes with separate living area, sofa bed, mini-kitchen and balcony – and the 11km of palm-fringed beach means plenty of space for you to find the perfect spot to sate your need for tropical heat.

Florida

Skyscanner.net has deals to Florida from £279, including return flights from Gatwick to Orlando Sanford with Thomson Airways for travel in mid April. East of Orlando, Florida's Space Coast stretches for 72 miles along the Atlantic. It's home to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, but it also boasts some of Florida's best surfing beaches. The closest to Orlando (an hour's drive) is Cocoa Beach, where you'll find Surf Studio Beach Resort (surf-studio.com, +1 321 783 7100, rooms from £70), a popular family-owned motel with a 125ft sun deck, where you can hear the crash of the Atlantic waves.