Looking for a warm place to visit in the cold months?
If you’re looking for warm places to visit in December or any of the winter months, Europe has them in spades. From Portugal’s sun-soaked Atlantic islands to Turkey’s historic coastal hideaways, private jet travel can be the answer to your ultimate winter holiday in the sun.
Europe is full of warm winter vacation locations, and some of them are easily reached with scheduled flights on commercial airlines. But, the problem is that many of the best hot places to travel to discontinue their flights with the first winter flurry. That’s where luxury private jet travel, using a respected private jet charter company, comes to the fore. Travel by private jet is not only faster but by using smaller airports and private landing strips a private jet can usually get you closer to your destination and feel the sand between your toes in no time.
Europe is spoiled for choice when it comes to the best warm places to visit in November, December, January, and February, (Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr…). A private jet flight will get you, your family, and your friends to your luxury getaway destination in comfort, style, and safety – far from crowded airports and the risks posed by a global pandemic.
We’ve taken the time to compile a shortlist of 10 of the best European warm vacation spots to soothe the cold from your bones. However, this list is only limited by your imagination – but if you’re looking for more recommendations, an experienced private jet charter company can advise you on many more.
Madeira – Portugal
The island of Madeira, and its cute little sister Porto Santo Island, make a very bold promise. The promise is that they offer year-round sunshine and temperatures that rarely stray outside 18-22°C. What’s more is that they keep that promise, making these Portuguese islands the perfect destination by private jet to grab some much-needed winter sunshine. The islands have a reputation as catering for ‘older people’, but nothing could be further from the truth. For trekkers, food lovers, adventure-seekers, or those who just want to warm their bones with some welcome winter sunshine, Madeira is the perfect private jet getaway.
Menorca – Balearic Islands – Spain
Because of the decreased demand for flights to the beautiful Spanish Balearic Island of Menorca in wintertime, the island is perfect for those looking for secluded sunshine via a private jet charter. The Mediterranean island is regarded as a nature lover’s paradise, having avoided the ugly overdevelopment of its neighboring islands along with many of Spain’s mainland sun destinations. Beautiful throughout the year, the island’s mild Mediterranean climate ensures that temperatures still reach between 15-18°C even during winter. With the majority of tourists gone for the season, sun-seekers arriving by private jet can find the very best of luxury accommodation – at cheaper rates – making the cost of your private jet charter seem like incredible value for money.
Antalya – Turkey
The year-round sunshine in the southern Turkish city of Antalya is perfect for a winter getaway by private jet. There are so many things to do in Antalya; from exploring the narrow streets of the old city, taking long hikes in the surrounding hills, uncovering the region’s ancient and varied history, sampling the delicious local cuisine, or just relaxing with a cocktail on the famed Konyaalti Beach. And, on the off-chance that the weather does turn a little nasty, there’s plenty to do indoors. You can take a visit to the Antalya Archaeological Museum, or you can enjoy an afternoon in an authentic Turkish Hamman, or simply treat your taste buds to tantalizing local cuisine in one of many unforgettable Turkish restaurants.
Crete – Greece
Arriving on the Greek island of Crete by private jet for a winter getaway can feel a bit like arriving in a private playground. As one of the most southernmost points in Europe, the island is easily reached by private jet charter from anywhere in Europe. In winter, Crete is less crowded, giving the place a unique atmosphere as the locals return to a slower pace of life. Chania, the biggest city in Western Crete, can easily act as your base with private jet hire. The beauty of Chania is that despite the rest of the island hibernating for winter, Chania remains vibrant all year round. The island’s best beaches are also on the west of the island, another good reason for making Chania your temporary winter home. Many airlines suspend their scheduled services during the winter months, meaning private jet charter travelers have the place almost to themselves. OK, the temperatures probably won’t break any records – although they can reach 18°C-19°C – but the island is usually assured of being warmer than almost all other parts of continental Europe.
Cefalu – Sicily
Sicily boasts six main airports and several smaller airfields making it the perfect winter getaway by private jet charter. The Italian island’s southern Mediterranean location means that it enjoys year-round balmy temperatures. The town of Cefalu is an ideal location for a quiet winter break while escaping the harsh continental winter. A private jet hire means you can be exploring the city’s winding streets, historic buildings, and quiet beaches within hours of landing. While most of the crowds are nowhere to be seen, you can take time to enjoy some of the island’s world-conquering cuisine and wine varieties dating back centuries. If you’re after something more active from your private jet getaway, making the steep hike to the top of Rocca, a rocky outcrop overlooking the city, will reward you with enviable views of the city, the island, and the vast blueness of the Mediterranean.
Gran Canaria – Spain
A private jet charter flight from London to Gran Canaria takes just over four hours and can have you relaxing on the terrace of your villa, sipping a cocktail, and enjoying the warm winter air within an hour of arriving on the island. A private light jet charter will cost between £17,000 and £23,000, but the advantages of avoiding crowded airports, arriving directly at your destination, and ensuring you travel safely during a global pandemic are beyond price. With the coast of North Africa not far away, the temperature rarely drops below 20°C. Disconnected from the Spanish mainland, the island – the third largest of the Canary Islands – comes as a startling surprise with a mixture of long sandy beaches like Maspalomas, and the luscious greenery of the northern forests. The capital, Las Palmas, is perfect for wandering slowly with stops taken to taste the island’s unique tapas, wines, and cuisine. The island is also steeped in history and features the home of Christopher Columbus and a museum where you can take a look inside the homes of the original Canarian aboriginal inhabitants. Additionally, the Elder Museum of Science and Technology will have children of all ages in awe for hours on end.
Sao Miguel – the Azores – Portugal
Although located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the islands of the Azores are technically a part of the Portuguese Republic but maintain a unique history and flavor determined by their geographic location. Getting to the Azores by scheduled airlines can be problematic, making private jet charter the perfect option for those who truly want a remote and sun-blessed winter getaway. Many people searching for a little winter sunshine choose the island of Sao Miguel, and in particular its northern coast. The islands have the feeling of being an untouched world, or the set for a Hollywood castaway movie, but, despite its rustic charm and feeling of isolation the islands boast some of the most amazing foods and culinary experiences that have gone on to travel the world and grace the tables of the finest restaurants in Lisbon, Madrid, Sweden, and beyond.
Malta
Malta, a Mediterranean island where a welcome is guaranteed all year-round. But when it comes to winter, that welcome is enhanced by warm breezes wafting their way from north Africa, an incredible range of foods that date back in time and origin, ancient cities soaked in history, and stunning beaches, minus the summer crowds. No matter where you’re located in Europe, Malta is easily reached by private jet charter making it a number one winter sun destination – temperatures can even reach up to 21°C. Exploring the streets of Valletta will throw up a myriad of surprises around every corner, from Baroque palaces and exquisitely ornate churches to the Fort St. Elmo and the National War Museum. According to UNESCO, Valletta is ‘one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world’, and was the first-ever planned city anywhere in Europe.
Almeria – Spain
A private jet charter flight can put you directly into the heart of one of the most desirable winter locations in all of Europe – Almeria on the south-eastern Spanish coast. Located only two hours from the legendary Andalucian city of Granada and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, a private jet can offer you the best of two amazing worlds; relaxing on a beach in the morning followed by taking to the nearby ski slopes in the afternoon. As one of the driest areas in Spain – made famous in the spaghetti westerns of the 1960s – Almeria is one of the best choices in Europe to enjoy some great winter sunshine. The area also boasts over 200km of incredible Mediterranean beaches, as well as giving access to some spectacular nature reserves like Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Reserve and unforgettable hiking routes.
El Hierro – Spain
The Canary Island of El Hierro is a long way off the radar of most European travelers, only being accessible by commercial air transport from the neighboring islands. That’s why a private jet charter can open up one of the most enchanting places – winter or summer – in Europe. The island of El Hierro is a wild and rugged volcanic landmass bulging from the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and famed for its unrivaled hiking routes offering stunning views of the island’s diverse landscape and the neighboring island, La Gomera, along with distant views of Spain’s highest mountain, Tenerife’s Mount Teide. The charm of the island comes from its isolated location, its quaint villages, its pleasant year-round climate, and its position as a marine reserve drawing dedicated divers from around the world. For those that demand peace and quiet in one of Europe’s most unique landscapes, a private jet gives you direct access to a getaway perfect for recharging the batteries in perfect tranquillity.
