Now is definitely the time for some pre-Christmas sun before the long winter evenings set in and the pre-Christmas social whirl begins.
Dubai is the perfect antidote to a grey northern hemisphere winter and surprisingly accessible. Head there for a short break or as a stopover end-route to Asia for opulent five-star hotels overlooking the Arabian Sea and luxurious desert camps providing camel adventures and jeep safaris.
This month, the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum opens in Egypt. The largest museum in the world will accommodate some 100,00 pieces, including the entire King Tutankhamun collection. Complement Cairo with an expedition along the River Nile taking in ancient wonders including Luxor's Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
The Maldives comes into season now providing endless opportunities for desert island bliss, superb diving and pure indulgence. Remaining in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius offers great weather and great value while the Seychelles are an island-hopper’s dream.
