5 Sun-Blessed Cities Under 5 Hours from the UK
If you've had your fill of cold dark mornings, slippery pavements and flat car batteries, you may well be wishing for summer's prompt return. But a quicker way to enjoy some heat is by going somewhere hot. Sounds easy, because it is. There are some pretty warm (and fun) destinations just 3 to 5 hours from the UK. We've picked five of our favourite toasty(ish) places in which to escape the British winter.
Marrakech 18 degrees:
Flight time: 3 hours 35 mins (Ryanair / Stansted)
Morocco's vibrant fourth city is worlds away from icy British streets. With highs of around 18 degrees, you might even consider wearing shorts – although that might only be advisable for your Facebook status update. Grab some exotic seasonal gifts in the sprawling souks, and sip traditional Moroccan tea while gazing out over the thronging Jemaa el-Fnaa square. What's more, it's just three-and-a-half hours from London.
Nicosia, Cyprus: 22 degrees
Flight time: 4 hours 30 mins (Cobalt / Stansted-to-Larnaca)
With highs of up to 22 degrees, Nicosia could be all you need for a mid-winter pep-up. In the unlikely event you want to spend some time indoors, you might check out the tranquil Kykkos Monastery, the historic Kyrenia Gate or the absorbing Cyprus Museum. Otherwise, we suggest heading out to one the many lovely beaches along the coast.
Athens, Greece: 15 degrees
Flight time: 3 hours 35 mins (EasyJet / Gatwick)
OK, 15 degrees isn't so hot, but it's a good degree (or ten) better than most parts of the UK. Plus, you'll get to get to explore one of the cradles of Western civilization - boasting the Acropolis, the Parthenon and numerous astonishing museums. One of the most history-packed cities on Earth – and it's just three-and-a-half hours from Gatwick.
Izmir, Turkey: 16 degrees
Flight time: 3 hours 40 mins (Pegasus / Stansted)
Turkey's third most populous city is blessed with a pretty yacht-filled waterfront, labyrinthine bazaars, delightful tea gardens and beautiful mosques. Much less chilly than Istanbul with its various sea breezes, Izmir a just a little over three-and-a-half hours from London Stansted.
Cairo, Egypt: 25 degrees
Flight time: 5 hours (British airways)
The hottest place on our list is the ancient Egyptian capital, Cairo. Nearby you'll find the pyramids of Djoser and Giza, as well as the Sphynx. Despite some recent unrest, as of December "There is no FCO advice against travel to Cairo, Alexandria, the tourist areas along the Nile river (including Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings) and the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada." Just five hours out of London you could be enjoying temperatures akin to the UK in summer.
Get more information on visiting Egypt from the FCO: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt
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