For short-haul sun without sky-high prices, but with pretty harbours, history and hiking, look no further than Cyprus. We’ve found the best last-minute deals
ate November into early December is a curious time to book a European holiday. Routes from the UK are winding down for the year, with many stopped altogether, while flights to long-haul winter-sun destinations are increasing. As we face months of chilly darkness at home, it’s an understandably popular time to book the latter, so you’ll struggle to find a bargain in most reliably toasty destinations this late in the day.
But short-haul isn’t down and out just yet: take Cyprus, which enjoys a mellow, skin-warming level of sunshine even into December. Here it could be 18C by day, with heated hotel pools egging you on for a swim, along with seawater that hasn’t quite lost its summer warmth. Look to the island’s southern coast, around cities such as Paphos and Larnaca, for sheltered and sunny holiday spots. Departing on December 7, this appealingly priced week with Jet2holidays at Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Beach Hotel & Spa comes in just under £500.
The Atol-protected trip puts you just south of Paphos town, with its harbour, restaurants, archaeological sites and nearby golf courses. A four-star hotel for over-16s only, the Leonardo has smart, modern rooms and highly rated food and facilities Right by the sea, it also has 6,000 sq m of gardens and an (unheated) outdoor pool, plus a heated indoor pool with hot tub and sauna. Casual loungers and parasols are set out on a biscuit-coloured sand beach, and the low-season restaurant serves a Med-leaning buffet.
There’s a lounge bar where you might try little-known Cypriot wine, and a modern spa with Thai massage and beauty treatments alongside the usual massages and facials. If you’re curious about your location, you’re in the right place too: you might hire a car for the ten-minute drive to visit the ancient city of Nea Pafos. Alongside this cluster of 4th-century BC ruins with its fascinating mosaics are the Tombs of the Kings, a necropolis cut into the golden rock.
Or you might jump on a day tour from Paphos into the Troodos Mountains, to see sleepy, historic villages and taste the fruits of a winery (from £40pp; getyourguide.co.uk); Paphos’ old town is also worth half a day courtesy of its archaeological museum, café culture, artisan shops and market. The cooler winter temperatures might even inspire you to drive 90 minutes north to the unspoilt Akamas peninsula, a hikers’ paradise in winter with about 200 bird species and nesting loggerhead turtles.
