Best January travel deals, from South Africa to Cape Verde

Plus some travel inspiration for April

Catch sunrise over Table Mountain on a January trip (iStock)

Get the new year off to a bright start – either in the sunshine or somewhere where they really know how to do winter. Avoid jet lag by choosing a warm country that’s more or less in our time zone. And if you’re planning an April holiday now, some of these ideas might inspire you.

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South Africa

Franschhoek is South Africa's premiere wine region (iStock)

Combine a few days in Cape Town with a tour of the South Africa’s wine regions on a tailor-made holiday with Rainbow Tours. Once you’ve checked out Table Mountain, Bantry Bay and Cape Point Nature Reserve, drive to Franschhoek for a few days spent lazily exploring wine estate and cheese farms. A nine-day holiday costs from £1,725pp and includes flights, B&B accommodation and car hire, departing 15 January.

The French Alps

Take advantage of the low season in the Alps, where the pistes are practically empty and queues are short. Val Cenis in France’s Haute-Maurienne is the place for a chilled-out ski holiday where prices are nowhere as high as the altitude – and the ski area for beginners is especially good. Peak Retreats has a week’s self-catering in the classy Chalets de Flambeau at the foot of the slopes for £504pp, including Eurotunnel crossing, for a 19 January departure. Book before 31 December and save 15 per cent.

Cape Verde Islands

There’s a sandy beach only a few minutes’ walk from Hotel Pontao on Sal’s southernmost tip in Cape Verde. Its breezy rooms all face the pool, and there’s also a rooftop hot tub as well as a wide choice of restaurants in Santa Maria. Cape Verde Experience has a week’s B&B departing 29 January from £634pp (saving £327pp), including flights, transfers, UK airport lounge access and visas.

Prague

Enjoy Prague without the crowds this month (iStock)

Wrap up warm and stroll through Prague’s atmospheric streets on a three-night city break. You won’t find the crowds that summer brings, leaving you more space to enjoy Wenceslas Square and other highlights of the old town. Inspired Luxury Escapes has three nights’ room only at the handsome Art Nouveau Palace Hotel from £209pp, including flights, departing 11 January.

Book now for April

Lisbon

Two grand old townhouses make up the shabby-chic Independente Suites in a prime hilltop spot near Lisbon’s Bairro Alto. And the view you get – particularly from the rooftop bar – makes the uphill walk all the more worthwhile. I-escape has three nights’ B&B from £373 in a double room, excluding flights.

Laos

Dusk over Unesco World Heritage-listed city Luang Prabang (iStock)

Laos often gets overshadowed by its better-known neighbours Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, but you can get an excellent introduction to this fascinating country on a 10-day guided tour offered by Selective Asia. Explore the French colonial architecture of the capital, Vientiane, before discovering the Unesco-listed Luang Prabang and taking journeys up and down the Mekong and the 4,000 islands of Si Phan Don. The starting price of £1,587pp includes all internal transport, accommodation, guides and breakfast, but excluding international flights, for departures throughout April.

Andalusia

The Grazalema National Park in Andalusia (iStock)

Hikers and wildlife lovers will love the extensive network of walking trails of the Grazalema Natural Park at Los Tadeos Hotel. Surrounded by the Lijar Mountains, the hotel is also a short walk from the imposing castle in Zahara. Sunvil has a week’s B&B at the hotel with departures throughout April from £689pp, including flights and transfers.

Mary Novakovich is editor at large at 101holidays.co.uk