Summer travel may be coming to an end as those crisp autumn days approach, but it often feels like in the blink of an eye, winter hits.

The good news is that there's no need to give in to those winter blues, as there are heaps of beautiful destinations where you can avoid the dark and dreary weather.

If it's nearly-guaranteed hot and sunny weather you want then long-haul is your best bet, but if you just want a bit of sunshine and an escape from the inevitable UK rain, Europe also has a plethora of options.

While the Greek Islands are typically associated with the summer months, don't rule them out in winter. Mykonos has recently been named as one of Europe's top 10 best destinations for a winter sun break, thanks to the lack of rainfall and 'paradise' beaches which can be an ideal spot for a scenic stroll.

Of course you won't get the vibrant nightlife that comes with the peak season crowds, and some of the bars and tavernas may be closed for the season, but there's still heaps to see and do on the island, from hiking trails to museums and attractions such as its world-famous windmills, without needing to jostle through crowds of tourists for the best views.

Plus as the streets are empty, there's ample opportunity to enjoy those cobbled streets you've seen all over your social media feeds, including those white-washed buildings and blue windows and doors, again without having to fight crowds just to get a photo.

Oh, and those sunsets remain just as spectacular even if they are a little earlier in the evening!

A recent study from the team at Ferryhopper looked at the warmest winter sun destinations, across factors such as the average temperature, average daylight house and hotel prices during the winter months. Mykonos came out as the top Greek destination, taking eighth spot in the top 10 rankings.

There are plenty of direct flights from the UK to Mykonos, with airlines including easyJet and British Airways. In terms of prices, when we took a look on Skyscanner we found return fares from around £110 during the winter months.

It wasn't just Mykonos which impressed in the rankings. When it came to Greek destinations, Santorini was another island tipped to be a must-visit for Brits who want to enjoy a break where the weather won't always be dreary and rainy. Again thanks to the lack of tourist crowds during this season, you might be able to get unrivalled views of the island's world-famous white-washed, blue domed buildings, not to mention some epic viewing spots for those sunsets.

In the meantime if you're after more winter sun inspiration, you can check out FerryHopper's top 10 best winter sun destinations below...

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