Flying from Belfast International in December

Red Sea resort known for coral reefs, snorkelling and diving, with warm sun through the winter.

• Winter sun
• Diving
• All-inclusive

Red Sea reefs in Ras Mohammed National Park and reliable winter sunshine.

• Winter sun
• Diving
• All-inclusive

The Maspalomas sand dunes in the south, mountain villages in the middle and year-round warmth.

• Winter sun
• Dunes
• Hiking

The biggest Canary Island, with Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak, above the resorts of the sunny south coast.

• Winter sun
• Volcano
• Whale watching

Long, empty beaches and the sand dunes of Corralejo. Quieter and windier than its Canary neighbours.

• Beaches
• Dunes
• Windsurfing

Black lava fields and red volcanic cones in Timanfaya National Park, with low whitewashed villages in between.

• Winter sun
• Volcanic landscapes
• Beaches

The souks and the Jemaa el-Fnaa square of the medina, riad courtyards, and the Atlas Mountains on the horizon.

• Souks
• Riads
• Culture

A palm-lined seafront under the hilltop Santa Bárbara castle, with long city beaches and an old quarter of narrow streets.

• Beach
• Old town
• Mild winters

Picasso's home town: a Moorish fortress above the port, tapas bars below, and a city beach a short walk from the centre.

• City break
• Tapas
• Museums
• Mild winters

A walled old town beside the Ria Formosa lagoon, and the gateway to the Algarve's cliffs and coves.

• Algarve coast
• Old town
• Golf

The Colosseum, the Pantheon, Vatican City and trattorias down every side street.

• History
• Food
• City break

Museums that are free to enter, West End theatre and the Thames bridges, a short flight from the regions.

• City break
• Museums
• Theatre

Clifton Suspension Bridge, the harbourside, Banksy's home turf and a strong food scene.

• City break
• Street art
• Food

Baroque arcades, the Egyptian Museum and the Alps on the skyline. The birthplace of Fiat and of chocolate hazelnut spread.

• City break
• Museums
• Food

The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre, with cafés on every corner and Disneyland Paris east of the city.

• City break
• Museums
• Food

France's food capital, with a Renaissance old town, Roman theatres and the Festival of Lights in December.

• Food
• Old town
• City break

The Beatles, the waterfront and its museums, and two Premier League football clubs.

• Music
• Football
• City break

Two football clubs, the Northern Quarter's bars and street art, and museums that are free to enter.

• City break
• Football
• Nightlife

Victorian architecture, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, free museums and one of the UK's best live music scenes.

• City break
• Live music
• Museums

The castle on its volcanic rock, the Royal Mile running down to Holyrood, and Arthur's Seat to climb.

• History
• City break
• Festivals

Canals, the Jewellery Quarter, Cadbury World and the curry houses of the Balti Triangle.

• City break
• Food
• Shopping

The airport for Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, the Peak District and Sherwood Forest.

• Peak District
• Countryside
• Short hop

The Tyne bridges, the Quayside, the Angel of the North nearby and a famous night out.

• Nightlife
• City break
• Football

Seventeenth-century canals, the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, and a city best seen by bike.

• City break
• Museums
• Cycling

The airport for Leeds, York and the Yorkshire Dales.

• Yorkshire Dales
• City break
• Short hop

The lakeside Jet d'Eau, a compact old town, and the Alps close by for skiing in winter.

• Lake
• Skiing
• City break

The Charles Bridge, a castle complex above the river, and a beer culture that goes back centuries.

• City break
• Beer
• Old town

Imperial palaces, the opera house and coffee houses that have served cake since the 1800s.

• City break
• Music
• Christmas markets

Mozart's birthplace, a clifftop fortress, and the setting of The Sound of Music.

• Music
• Old town
• Christmas markets

Steaming outdoor thermal baths, the Parliament on the Danube, and ruin bars in old courtyards.

• Thermal baths
• City break
• Nightlife

Wawel Castle above the Vistula, one of Europe's largest medieval market squares, and the Wieliczka salt mine nearby.

• Old town
• History
• Salt mine

The official home town of Santa Claus, on the Arctic Circle, with husky rides and Northern Lights.

• Santa
• Northern Lights
• Snow