Now Christmas is over and the brand new yr is underway, many individuals need to make journey plans to chase the sunshine. So here is what it is advisable to learn about enticing locations in 2026
Christmas has wrapped up for one more yr, with many individuals starting to plan easy methods to profit from 2026. Journey stays a preferred aspiration, with escaping Britain’s dreary winter climate and the January blues topping many individuals’s want lists.
Following Christmas spending and amid the persevering with price of residing squeeze, monitoring down inexpensive vacation choices or journey alternatives can show fairly difficult. Social media is suffering from recommendations, recommendation and steering from seasoned and beginner globetrotters alike.
One individual approached Reddit searching for an inexpensive answer for a getaway with their girlfriend this month. The couple hope to spend 30-35 days abroad, with a finances of roughly £2,600 to £3,000, not together with flight prices.
That quantity would purely cowl their expenditure for “lodging, meals, transport, actions, and so forth”.
They dwell within the Baltics, which means they’d depart from Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia and remained “open to any vacation spot – Asia, South America, Africa, Europe, islands, you title it”.
Their main necessities included “good climate (ideally heat/sunny in Jan); a mixture of nature, tradition, and leisure; a vacation spot that is good worth for cash over a full month of journey;” plus alternatives for “journey”, encompassing “mountain climbing, wildlife, or simply exploring new locations”.
They sought recommendation from those that’d undertaken a comparable journey or possessed “any recommendations on the place to go”. And fortunately, fellow Reddit contributors eagerly provided their opinions and suggestions.
With that being mentioned, sunny locations for 2026 embrace…
1. Thailand
One traveller steered a visit to Northern Thailand, particularly Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, adopted by 5 days in Bangkok and two weeks on the Southern Thai islands of Koh Lipe and Koh Phanang.
One other holidaymaker replied with a glowing suggestion for Koh Lipe, noting that whereas it is a small island, it gives loads of leisure alternatives when you’re content material with seaside lounging.
You may get to Thailand by departing from Manchester Airport and stopping over in locations like Dubai or Doha. The flight time is round 15 hours and carriers embrace Emirates, Qatar and British Airways.
2. New Zealand
One other journey fan identified that the southern hemisphere can be experiencing summer time presently of yr.
They beneficial New Zealand as a vacation spot for nature lovers, regardless of not having visited personally. Nonetheless, one other consumer warned the proposed finances may not stretch far within the lovely nation.
A method to economize when flying from Manchester is to choose journeys with a number of stopovers. By doing this, you’ll be able to snag flights for lower than £500 every means.
3. Tanzania
Tanzania was additionally put ahead as a possible vacation spot – particularly the gorgeous island of Zanzibar.
One individual shared their constructive experiences in Zanzibar, praising the pleasant locals, lovely seashores, various lodging choices and scrumptious meals.
You may get flights from Manchester to Zanzibar for lower than £300. The flight time is round 13 hours – together with a stopover – and you may journey with airways like KLM, Air France and Qatar.
4. Malaysia
Malaysia was highlighted for its affordability and number of points of interest, together with Penang, Langkawi, the Perhentian Islands, Borneo, KL and Cameron Highlands.
In the event you’re a foodie, you will even be in absolute heaven. Nasi lemak, laksa and satay… the chances are infinite!
You may snap up flights from Manchester to Kuala Lumpur for as little as £250. However be warned, it will likely be an extended journey day to get there.
5. Turkey
If you’d like a short-mid haul flight as a substitute of flying the world over, Turkey could possibly be your finest wager.
One commenter shared: “Northern Turkey is fabulous with all its historic websites from Roman and Greek eras particularly on western facet.
“The lodging and meals could be very cheap. The wine is superb. Istanbul space can also be nice. Additionally significantly loved Athens Greece with all its historical past. Food and drinks was fabulous. Ate at one restaurant which gave us limitless after dinner wine.”
The flight time is round 4 hours and you may snap up tickets for as little as £60 departing from Manchester, so it is positively an excellent choice!

