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Taking a vacation to a warm and sunny destination is the perfect way to break up a long, cold winter. For this reason, winter sun getaways are only growing in popularity.
But where should you go? All-inclusive resorts offer great value, and traveling to destinations off the beaten path is also a great way to get more bang for your buck.
Online travel agent OntheBeach has released their winter travel report which has revealed that these are their top 2 overseas countries to visit this winter:
Turkiye
According to the report the fastest growing overseas destination for winter sun is Antalya in Turkiye. 11.9% of winter sun seekers traveled to the resort region, which represents a growth of 33% year-on-year.
The main attraction of a trip to Antalya is its beautiful golden beaches and these are packed full of tourists during the heat of the summer season.
During the winter months though the beaches are much quieter and it’s a great time of year to stroll along the shoreline and explore the cultural attractions that the region has to offer.
Away from the coast, Antalya is a beautiful city. It is backed by the majestic Taurus Mountains which are popular with hikers, bikers, and outdoor adventurers.
Wander around Kaleiçi, which is the city’s old quarter and explore the Ottoman houses and Roman ruins that characterize this region. The Greco-Roman remains of Aspendos are incredibly well preserved and well worth exploring.
Antalya boasts a Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and mild sunny winters. The average temperature in the region in February is 16 °C (61 °F)
Winter is officially the low season in Antalya and the sea temperatures are not quite warm enough for swimming or water sports.
But you can still enjoy the sunshine and the temperatures during the winter months are perfect for sightseeing, sitting in outdoor cafes to people watch, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Egypt
The Red Sea Resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt attracted 9.3% of bookings via OntheBeach this winter.
These resorts are famous for their beautiful natural beaches, diverse marine life, and huge number of high-end hotels and aqua park resorts.
During the hottest summer months, the heat in Egypt’s Red Sea Coast can be unbearable. The winter temperatures are much more pleasant with average daytime temperatures of 25 °C (77 °F) and sea temperatures of a balmy 22 °C (71.6 F).
This means winter is the perfect time for snorkeling, scuba diving and other water sports in the region. The comfortable temperatures and low humidity also make it the perfect time of year for sightseeing and other outdoor pursuits.
Some of the cultural highlights of a trip to Sharm el Sheik and Hurghada include a trip to see the biblical Burning Bush in St Catherine’s Monastery, and travelers can also climb to the top of Mount Sinai which is where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
Head into Sharm El Sheikh itself to see the stunningly beautiful Al Mustafa Mosque in the heart of the Old Market, then shop and mingle with the locals in the market square.
Egypt is a welcoming and culturally fascinating country and the Red Sea Coast is also an incredibly affordable destination to visit right now. A room in a 5-star all-inclusive resort for 2 people can be secured for as little as $60 per night traveling in February. If you have the right travel card in your arsenal, this could easily turn into an effortless free or discounted stay! Here are a few of our favorites.
Affordable Destinations
Vacations to Turkiye and Egypt have been showing a consistent increase in visitors throughout the year but particularly during the winter season.
This is because of their affordability, appealing winter temperatures, and the availability of resorts and hotels during the low season.
This clearly demonstrates that travelers aren’t shying away from visiting exotic locations and are prepared to move away from traditional sunny destinations such as Mexico, Italy, and Spain, particularly when they offer such good value.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com