Cool breaks abroad

If you're toying with the idea of a long-haul winter-sun break, now's the time. Holidays to exotic destinations such as Thailand, Mexico and islands in the Indian Ocean all look excellent value for money.

Some airlines have cut the number of flights offered during the recession but hotels do not have such flexibility, so many have cut their rates and, as a result, many long-haul packages are cheaper this winter than in 2008-09.

Value for money

So which locations offer best value? I asked tour operators for firm evidence that their packages cost less than last winter. This is what they said.

The consensus is that Thailand is a good bet, partly because it is having to make up for the negative publicity it endured during last winter's civil unrest. Kuoni is offering eight nights in Amari Coral Beach in Phuket for B&B at £969 (Dh5,952) for departures until the end of next week — a £348 reduction on the same time last year.

Week-long getaways

Trailfinders is offering eight nights at Centara Villas Samui in Koh Samui for £769 (Dh4,729) B&B, from January to March. That compares with £939 (Dh5,773) over the same dates last year.

In the Maldives, Kuoni is offering a week over Christmas at Thudufushi for £1,879 (Dh11,549) all-inclusive — £718 (Dh4,411) less than last Christmas. Thomson has a week in mid-January at the Vilamendhoo Resort for £1,175 (Dh7,218) full-board.

Hayes & Jarvis says its package prices for Mauritius and Sri Lanka are about 10-15 per cent cheaper than last winter. A week at the Coin de Mire in Mauritius this February costs £699 (Dh4,293) half-board, compared with £819 (Dh5,028) last February.

Shop around

A fortnight at the Blue Water in Sri Lanka, departing in late February will cost £1,175 (Dh7,212) half-board, compared with £1,413 (Dh8,672) on the same dates last winter.

There are great deals to be found in Mexico, too.

The outbreak of H1N1 in the spring brought holidays there to a halt.

Things are back to normal but, to boost bookings, package prices are low.

Thomson says its holidays in all-inclusive hotels in Cancun and on the Riviera Maya are cheaper than comparable ones on Caribbean islands.

It is offering a fortnight in the luxurious Riu Palace at Playacar for £1,385 (Dh8,498) all-inclusive, departing January 19, more than 20 per cent cheaper than in January this year.

Travel-wise tips

II Get away in the next three weeks if you can. Up to mid-December is low season for most long-haul destinations when prices are much cheaper than over Christmas/New Year and for travel between January and March.

II If you're planning a getaway between January and March, wait a while. Some airlines offer discounts in late December or early January.

II Shop around. For some destinations, tour operators offer identical packages but they negotiate different terms with the hotels and airlines, so prices can vary.