Thanks to smartphone applications, it has never been easier to find flight details and prices. But most of us use flight comparison websites such as Netflights to do the dirty work on our behalf. After all, time is money. But once your booking is made, you’re all on your own with your chosen airline. That’s where airline apps come in. Most operators have designed their own app; some with cool distinguishing features, others have gone for simple and easy to use. Here are our top 10  airline apps of 2018.

American Airlines

Like many applications, American Airlines‘ allows the user to download their boarding cards to be conveniently accessed to get through security and onward to the gate. What it also does is use this boarding card to offer continuous updates on the gate number and any delays or cancellations. The only drawback is that it takes up a whopping 4.6GB of space, rendering it unusable by plenty of AA flyers.

Qantas

The Qantas application was designed with the intention of making flying long distances around the world as straightforward as possible. To this end, the app will let the user know when they need to leave for the airport as well as navigational information to guide them there. It also updates you with departure gate, boarding time and luggage carousel number.

KLM

The KLM application gives users a greater degree of control after they have checked-in. It’s straightforward to download boarding passes, check-in to connections and even cancel or amend any check-ins after the fact. Choose your seats and add additional baggage in the my bookings section and pay for flights with either a credit card or from your Paypal account.

Virgin Atlantic

The Virgin Atlantic home screen sets it apart. It has an interactive globe that can be spun to show where all Virgin Atlantic flights are currently located in real time. Zoom in and tap on planes and locations to access flight schedules and destination information. You can and even nickname planes. It’s easy to use, functional and full of fun features that plane enthusiasts will love to love.

easyJet

This application goes an extra step for those travelling with unusual luggage. You can specify if you have bulky sporting equipment like golf clubs or surfboards. There is also the option to download the boarding passes so they are accessible offline. The booking process is clear and easy to use and you can choose where you sit.

British Airways

The BA application allows the user to personalise the home screen. This grant easier access to desired information like boarding passes and you can also adjust the theme. Spending the time to customise BA’s app might only be of use to frequent BA flyers but when used properly has undoubted value. The app is also connected to the company’s social media platforms to make announcements easy to find and track.

Emirates

Emirates have some catching up to do. Users must own an iPad if they want to access their information on the go. The iPad-exclusive app works well with all the standard flight information as well as the ability to book a car or hotel. Their saving grace? – a more than good mobile site that is easy enough to book, check-in and download boarding passes from.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa is one of the best for covering the basics and doing them well. Check up on delays, cancellations and changes to your flights schedul. Store personal information to save time entering personal details. Downloading relevant information like this and the basic overall efficiency of the Lufthansa app makes it a reliable and trustworthy travel companion that nails the basics.

Ryanair

For frequent fliers this application is capable of storing passenger information and payment details so that booking is nice and simple. Ryanair have made taking your money as easy as pie. The only drawback is the usual Ryanair tactic of constantly trying to sell the user on perks and deals for hotels or car rental but overall, a very user friendly app indeed.

Thanks to smartphone applications, it has never been easier to find flight details and prices. But most of us use flight comparison websites such as Netflights to do the dirty work on our behalf. After all, time is money. But once your booking is made, you’re all on your own with your chosen airline. That’s where airline apps come in. Most operators have designed their own app; some with cool distinguishing features, others have gone for simple and easy to use. Here are our top 10  airline apps of 2018.

American Airlines

Like many applications, American Airlines‘ allows the user to download their boarding cards to be conveniently accessed to get through security and onward to the gate. What it also does is use this boarding card to offer continuous updates on the gate number and any delays or cancellations. The only drawback is that it takes up a whopping 4.6GB of space, rendering it unusable by plenty of AA flyers.

Qantas

The Qantas application was designed with the intention of making flying long distances around the world as straightforward as possible. To this end, the app will let the user know when they need to leave for the airport as well as navigational information to guide them there. It also updates you with departure gate, boarding time and luggage carousel number.

KLM

The KLM application gives users a greater degree of control after they have checked-in. It’s straightforward to download boarding passes, check-in to connections and even cancel or amend any check-ins after the fact. Choose your seats and add additional baggage in the my bookings section and pay for flights with either a credit card or from your Paypal account.

Virgin Atlantic

The Virgin Atlantic home screen sets it apart. It has an interactive globe that can be spun to show where all Virgin Atlantic flights are currently located in real time. Zoom in and tap on planes and locations to access flight schedules and destination information. You can and even nickname planes. It’s easy to use, functional and full of fun features that plane enthusiasts will love to love.

easyJet

This application goes an extra step for those travelling with unusual luggage. You can specify if you have bulky sporting equipment like golf clubs or surfboards. There is also the option to download the boarding passes so they are accessible offline. The booking process is clear and easy to use and you can choose where you sit.

British Airways

The BA application allows the user to personalise the home screen. This grant easier access to desired information like boarding passes and you can also adjust the theme. Spending the time to customise BA’s app might only be of use to frequent BA flyers but when used properly has undoubted value. The app is also connected to the company’s social media platforms to make announcements easy to find and track.

Emirates

Emirates have some catching up to do. Users must own an iPad if they want to access their information on the go. The iPad-exclusive app works well with all the standard flight information as well as the ability to book a car or hotel. Their saving grace? – a more than good mobile site that is easy enough to book, check-in and download boarding passes from.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa is one of the best for covering the basics and doing them well. Check up on delays, cancellations and changes to your flights schedul. Store personal information to save time entering personal details. Downloading relevant information like this and the basic overall efficiency of the Lufthansa app makes it a reliable and trustworthy travel companion that nails the basics.

Ryanair

For frequent fliers this application is capable of storing passenger information and payment details so that booking is nice and simple. Ryanair have made taking your money as easy as pie. The only drawback is the usual Ryanair tactic of constantly trying to sell the user on perks and deals for hotels or car rental but overall, a very user friendly app indeed.

Caribbean islands are famous for the vibrant residents, the captivating and picturesque towns, the exciting culture, the array of indigenous delicacies and most of all, the impressively attractive beaches. Read on to find out about our top Caribbean beaches selection and book your Caribbean getaway with Netflights today.

Beach 1: Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas

These salmon coloured sands get their pigment from the broken coral and shells. The three miles of Pink Sands are mostly popular among honeymooners. The beach offers sheltered swimming and you can stay in luxury resorts or seaside cottages.

Beach 2: Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

Stretching along the ocean in Grenada is the fabulously white sands of the Grand Anse beach. Chill out in the shade of sea grapes, almond and palm trees. The two-mile stretch of milky-white sands are lent a postcard-esque look from the brightly coloured boats in the bay, hotels and restaurants.

Beach 3: Shoal Bay Beach, Anguilla

Anguilla was once a secret hideaway but it has since turned into a bit of a hot spot. Shoal Bay is one of thirty three beaches on the island. Choose it for bars and restaurants, snorkelling, parasailing and scuba diving. It can get busy so it’s best to arrive for sunrise or sunset so that you arrive before/after the crowds have dispersed.

Beach 4: Crane Beach, Barbados

Home to pop star Rihanna, Barbados is a beautifully distinctive island, with fun-loving people and eccentric culture. Composed mainly of uber-soft pulverised coral, lined by palm trees and washed by gentle waves on the west side of the island – it’s your stereotypical Caribbean beach.

We take a look back at the most on time airlines in the world for 2017. From airBaltic’s exemplary punctuality to Ryanair’s shortcomings. Notable airports are based in the super efficient Japan, calling on memories of the train driver who sued for forgiveness from his train passengers after leaving 20 seconds early.

These figures are pulled from OAG (the UK based digital authority on flights worldwide) who only feature the airlines that they possess over 80% of flight data for. Read on to find out the most on time, the least on time and the downright ugliest airlines from 2017.

THE GOOD (part 1) – top 10 most punctual airlines:

airBaltic pipped first place for the most on time airline for 2017. Based in Latvia’s capital Riga since 1995, it managed to deliver just over ninety percent of its flights on time in 2017. Passengers will also have been pleased with the wider seats and overhead storage available in their Bombardier C Series planes. Not bad (or ugly) at all. Fly with airBaltic from London to their Latvian base in Riga or the city of Tallin, the capital of Estonia. You can order your meal when you purchase your ticket and pay in Bitcoin. Snazzy.

Least punctual airlines:

• airBaltic – 90.01% OTP
• Hong Kong Airlines – 88.83%
• Hawaiian Airlines – 87.24%
• Copa Airlines – 86.39%
• Qantas Airways – 86.18%
• Japan Airlines – 85.27%
• Vueling Airlines – 85.25%
• Jetstar Asia – 85.08%
• Skymark Airlines – 85.00%
• Aer Lingus – 84.46%

THE GOOD (part 2) – world’s most punctual airports:

‘The Good’, part two. These airports operate at the highest efficiency, all bringing in over eighty percent of their flights on time. Japan made things look easy, as things seem like they should be when your flight is delayed, right?

“Mega” – Tokyo Haneda – 86.75%

“Major” – Minneapolis St Paul – 85.72%

“Large” – Osaka – 88.45%

“Medium” – Birmingham – 89.52%

“Small” – Tenerife – 90.05%

THE BAD – world’s latest airlines

According to OAG’s report things start off with a small cluster around the South China Sea; Xiamen Airlines Company and Philippines AirAsia Inc. both scraped 58%. But things get worse. Air Inuit, a northerly Canadian carrier, managed only 44.6% of its flights.

Least punctual airlines:

Xiamen Airlines Company – 58.3%

Philippines AirAsia Inc. – 58.0%

Sunwing Airlines Inc. – 57.9%

Cebu Pacific Air – 57.6%

SATA International-Azores Airlines S.A. – 57.1%

Indonesia AirAsia X – 56.8%

LACSA-Lineas Aereas Costarricenses – 54.2%

Shenzhen Airlines – 53.5%

AVIOR Airlines – 53.1%

Air Inuit – 44.6%

THE UGLY – the worst airline of 2017

After adding 400,000 flight cancellations and attempts to avoid compensation payout to their long list of misdemeanours, Ryanair are surely the ugliest airline of 2017. There’s a long distance between cheap and cheapskates, or so it seems. Previous antics by the Ireland based airline include cabin baggage charges (effective January 2018), refusal of refunds, ticket print charges and even a hint of a mid-flight toilet fee. Perhaps it’s their mean spirit more than their bad service that makes them Europe’s most hated airline? Ugly as charged.

Airplane food has a bad reputation. Cabin pressure makes preparing fresh food (and thus good tasting food) a challenge. Airlines have been only too quick to remind us of this in the past. Blame has been directed at 30,000 feet of altitude (which numbs our sense of taste) and the necessary but dry, recycled air that further hampers our taste buds. Both valid points but hardly the whole story.

Airlines have got pretty creative in finding ways to better store food in a tin can that hurtles through through the air at 500 miles per hour. Nowadays meals are generally frozen on the ground and defrosted on the move. High levels of salt and sugar have been used to stimulate our blunted taste buds.

But it’s not all bad. The phrase ‘you are what you eat’ has never been felt more keenly and as more of us demand a better standard of food, the market has had to adjust. Read on to discover some of Netflights’ favourite airlines to dine on.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has gone to costly lengths to impress customers with their airplane meals. Eight celebrity chefs, including Suzanne Goin, create in-flight meals that reflect the destinations Singapore fly to as well as the chef’s own experiences. What’s more, menus are now published on the website in the build up to the departure date; a small perk but one sure to please any passenger. Spicy Asian food naturally has highly concentrated flavours, so the noodle soups and red curries are a good choice.

EVA Air

This airline puts strong emphasis on fresh food and rightly so. Seasonal ingredients go a long way to bringing freshness of food to the airplane seat and at least one western style course to accommodate picky eaters. Taiwanese EVA Air even go to extra lengths around the Chinese New Year, serving traditional dishes like egg fried rice. The drinks menu is popular too featuring the popular Bombay Sapphire gin and Smirnoff vodka. Drink enough of that stuff and it won’t matter what the food tastes like.

British Airways

Only in an environment hostile to good tasting food could British food make it in the top five. It evens out the playing field. Things kick off with a pretzel and welcome drink and are followed by a four course meal that includes a cheese and biscuit course. A big fuss is beingmade about the bottled water (not sealed cup) and Magnum ice-creams. Alcoholic drinks are still complimentary. Score. For longer flights there is also a hot breakfast. All this is courtesy of a multi-million pound investment.

Turkish Airlines

Four words: ‘Food prepared fresh daily’. Even the meat dishes which tend to be bland (protein dries out easily) are rated highly on Turkish airplanes. Real silverware might sound like it would have little impact. After all it’s just a means of getting the food from a to b, right? Well it seems cultivating a genuine dining experience goes a long way; the Turkish outfit has won a stream of awards for its food. The chef’s hat worn by the server might be a step too far though.

SWISS

The meals designed by Hiltl (a vegetarian eatery going since 1898) are knock out. With no concern of vegetables drying out the way meat does, there’s less need to drown dishes in sauce to keep them hot and moist. The pasta with aubergine fricassee is stand out. Ingredients are well conceived like the whole-wheat penne that has more nutrients and is less bloating than its refined white counterpart. The Tête de Moine semi-hard cheese invented by monks 800 years ago isn’t so healthy. But man it’s good.

Obsessed with the beach? Thalassophile: a lover of the sea and ocean. Sound familiar? Whether you’re looking for quiet seclusion to take in the sights, or an incognito section of the Caribbean Sea to explore, Cancún‘s got the sands for you. Find more inspiration in our sightseeing guide.

Host to vibrant beaches, sunny weather and a string of Mayan ruins. The latter has watched the ebb of the Caribbean Sea for the last 4,000 years. So it’s easy to see why the Mesoamerican people of the Yucatan Peninsula, right through the ages to today’s tourists choose Cancún. Find cheap flights to Mexico’s beach with Netflights today, experts in flight comparison searches.

Beach 1: Puerto Morelos

Located 20 minutes south of Cancún, Puerto Morelos has retained its relaxed fishing village persona. There are a few restaurants and bars for afternoon and evening entertainment and a decent market. There’s also the leaning lighthouse, blown over by Hurricane Beulah in 1967. However, the real draw is for the shallow waters, deep enough to snorkel the Mesoamerican Great Barrier Reef. Inland there’s a limestone sink hole (cenote) where Mayan peoples made offerings to their blood thirsty deities.

Beach 2: X’Cacel Beach

It can be tricky to find but the reward is a peaceful atmosphere and a local sea turtle conservation project on the shore. A donation (10-20 pesos) gives you access to see the turtles and covers the entrance fee to the cenote, concealed in jungle offshore. Furthermore, as a remote and protected area (no resorts can be built here) the reefs are in pretty good shape. You’ll need your own car to get here and we suggest you park near to the guard shack. Watch you don’t trample any mounds of sand that could be the roof of a turtle nest.

Beach 3: Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen’s (the city) most popular public access beach. Playa del Carmen is right behind the Coco Bongo nightclub and part of the Mayan Riviera cruise ship route. Consequently, crowds are thick, particularly in the hotel area. Things are pretty lively – the Coco Bongo club is a strange mix of Las Vegas shows and the Mexican fiesta party style. It’s the party atmosphere that people come for as the sands aren’t as silky and the water isn’t as clear as elsewhere. For more information on Mexico’s wild nightlife, take a look at our lifestyle and culture page.

Beach 4: Playa Maroma

You’ll need to be a guest at one of the resorts to gain access to this huge beachfront. Many have luxury spas, ocean front massages, candlelit dinner service on the beach and other exclusive features. It’s a spot for a little luxury and maybe a little romance. Come here and escape from the hustling and bustling coastline further north. What’s more, Punta Maroma to the south is a good spot for snorkelling and the ruins of Tulum are an hour away down the highway. Some of the resorts provide complimentary access to their water sporting equipment, to include sailing and windsurfing.

Beach 5: Playa Delfines

Also known as El Mirador, meaning ‘The lookout’, this 14-mile stretch of coast is the last on the hotelera boulevard. The sand might not be as fine a quality as others but it’s secluded. There are no hotels or restaurants, it’s well serviced by bus routes and has free parking. Apart from this, there are little to no facilities so bring your own supplies. Pay attention to the swimming signs, undertows and rips are common. Lifeguards are even sometimes posted here. Find cheap holidays in Cancún with Netflights.

By now we’ve all seen the back of back-to-work-blues and already broken a new year’s resolution (it’s the exception that proves the rule). Now it’s time to start thinking about the best places to go on holiday in 2018.

There’s a lot to be excited about. Georgia is buzzing to celebrate its independence and Russia’s historically significant cities are feverish with the excitement of the coming World Cup. Read on to find out about Netflights’ top rated countries to visit in 2018.

Holiday destination 1: South Korea

Why go now: Winter Olympics 2018

All set to host the 2018 Winter Olympics, South Korea is still a relatively little visited destination. The games will be hosted in Pyeongchang, an hour east on the new bullet train from Seoul. If you’re going, explore districts like Hongdae for the Indie party scene and Itaewon for food courts when you’re not spectating the games. Also not far from the sporting action are the palaces of the Jongno district and the mountains of Seoraksan National Park. Take a look at our Asia travel guide to get you started.

Holiday destination 2: Georgia

Why go now: 100^th anniversary of independence

First of all, Georgian Airways now flies direct from London Gatwick. So the mountainous landscapes, sulphur baths and 8000 year old wine culture (thought to be the oldest) are even closer. Capital Tbilisi is benefitting hugely from a spike in eastern European tourism and is already showing signs of gentrification – edgy cafes, galleries and such like. Lastly, don’t miss out on the sulphur baths, khachapuri (cheesy bread) and a glass of all-natural wine. Check out Netflights’ cheap connections to European countries and see how much you could save.

Holiday destination 3: Russia

Why go now: embrace the 2018 World Cup

Last year marked the anniversary of the 1917 revolution. This year Russia is busy making preparations for the 2018 World Cup. The 12 stadiums are clustered in the European half of the country, reducing travel time for players and fans. The Fan-ID ticket system will equip attendees with visa-free travel. Additionally, it will grant free use of local bus, tram and metro services. England will play out the group stages in the historic city of Volgograd, the ancient city of Nizhny Novgorod and Kaliningrad – between Poland and Lithuania.

Holiday destination 4: Cuba

Why go now: borders opening up

Cuba’s relationship with America has already brought change to this Caribbean island. Ironic that Americanisation is such a worry, when it’s 1960’s Coca Cola adverts and American produced pink Chevrolets that so define a Cuban holiday. Restoration of Havana’s old town’s colonial buildings, funded by the locked and loaded tourism industry, is one change that’s sure to please. Some say that it’s already too late to see the old Cuba, but delve into the rugged scenery of the countryside and prove them wrong. Find cheap flights to Cuba today with Netflights.

Holiday destination 5: Texas

Why go now: San Antonio’s three hundredth birthday

For an American holiday this year, consider San Antonio. Its 2018 calendar is full of more than 550 exhibitions and events. It’s all in celebration of the Tercentennial Arts and Culture Series that will feature local and regional artists. Topics include the histories and legacies of pre-independence, relationships between natural and built environments and Mexican and Latin American heritage. All this is in addition to Texas’ already packed summer roster of rodeo, music and other such events that take place every year. Find low rates and bargain deal flights to Texas with Netflights.

The beauty of Bali’s beaches has made it the darling of the Indian Ocean and these days, cheap flights and package deals are readily available.  Australians regularly nab cheap flights over for a quick weekend break. Long haul holiday makers simply want somewhere hot. Surfers and backpackers chase the best waves and hang in the coolest hangs. See the Netflights Bali destination guide for more details.

But it’s the Beaches that most come for. Not all are ruined as many would let you believe. Some lie against a backdrop of limestone formations with frills of jungle. Others are made of black sands that tell tales of the islands volcanic past. Here’s our list of beaches to visit during your holiday in Bali, Indonesia.

Blue Lagoon Beach, east Bali

It’s a tiny, hidden away patch of coast (60 metres) that belongs to a string of beaches along the east coast. Sheltered in the bay area from wind and wave by volcanic rock headlands, the water is often calm and there’s an extensive coral system – prime snorkelling and diving requirements. In fact for divers, this beach is often towards the top of the list. There are also plenty of recreational activities on dry land like yoga and cookery that can be arranged in the Bloo Lagoon ecotourism village.

Teluk Brumbun Beach, west Bali

Between the monkeys hanging out in the trees, monitor lizards shimmying up and down the coast and deer cooling off in the shallows, this can be quite a busy spot. The reefs are some of the best around (over at Menjangan Island) if its wildlife you’re after and the mammals and reptiles aren’t around. The beach borders with West Bali National Park, if you want to convince the rangers to let you camp out make sure you have all your own gear.

Greger Beach, south Bali

A kilometre of golden sand, fronted by the golf club and two hotels. It’s a good option for families to stay here because of its ease of access and the good range of restaurants in the middle section. On the other side of the rock promontory that the temple sits on, is a more secluded beach. Access itle by either the dirt track that leads from the temple or round the front way during low ebbs.

Kuta Beach, south Bali

The beach resort destination in Bali. The heavy footfall stems from not only the accommodation, dining and shopping options. There’s also good surfing waves and its close to Ngurah Rai International Airport. Younger travellers swarm here for the nightlife scene centred on the bars, clubs, festivals and parties in the high season (July – August). All of this contrasts strongly with the Kuta of old – a small and hushed fishing village.

Lovina Beach, north Bali

A subdued alternative to the busy party islands of the south, focused in the Kalibukbuk area. The black volcanic sands of Lovina span for two kilometres, washed by calm waves ideal for beginners. This is in direct contrast to the crashing surf of the island’s southerly beaches. More often than not though its sunset walks concluded with quiet waterside drinks that draw people her. Or the bottle-nosed dolphins that can be seen in the early morning.

Find cheap flights to Bali with Netflights today and start planning your beach break.

The fact that airlines consider having the longest flights on their portfolio a bragging right can only be a source of bemusement, if not sleep deprived rage, to sorry passengers that sign up to more than 17 hours in the air.

Qantas has a better idea of the shape of things to come. It’s set to launch the shortest long haul flight ever, between London and Perth, in March 2018. They’re confident they can fly the 9,008 mile Kangaroo Route that they introduced back in 1947, that once took four days and nine stops, in under 16 hours.

We take a look at the world’s longest available flights of 2016.

Qantas: Auckland -> Doha – 9,032m

New Zealand’s Auckland to Dubai (9,032 miles) takes 18h and 20m. Passengers are consoled for this odyssey with a toothbrush, ear plugs, eye shade and the ‘Blippar’ app for media entertainment. There’s also free Wi-Fi.

Craft: Boeing 777-200LR
Best feature: free Wi-Fi

Find cheap flights with Qantas with Netflights.

Emirates: Auckland -> Dubai – 8,824

Up to 484 passengers can travel in the four classes of service available on this journey from Polynesia to the Arabian Peninsula. It takes 17h 15m. First and business means gourmet food and flat lying beds. The other 371 have to make to with smaller seats with unconvincing sounding ‘soft cushioning’ and ‘lumbar support’.

Craft: Airbus A380
Best feature: a decent 35kg baggage allowance (economy)

Find cheap Emirates flights with Netflights.

United: Los Angeles -> Singapore – 8,770

There’s long and there’s long. Los Angeles to Singapore might be less mileage than Qatar’s Auckland New Zealand but it takes 25 minutes more. Air speed is influenced by a whole variety of things, like headwinds and drag. The fleece lined slippers and Saks Fifth Avenue pyjamas are a nice trip to the 17h 55m ordeal.

Craft: Boeing 787-9
Best feature: the free pyjamas

Find cheap United flights with Netflights.

United: San Francisco -> Singapore – 8,446m

In many ways, United is way behind other long haul air carriers in terms of food and drink, amenities and quality of seating. For example, only beer and wine are complimentary, no sleeping clothes are provided and seats don’t recline enough. That said, the in-flight entertainment options are excellent to get you through just under 18h of flying.

Craft: Boeing 787-9/Airbus A350
Best feature: masses of overhead storage

Qantas: Dallas Fort Worth -> Sydney – 8,578

Economy seats have both Australian, US and USB outlets and meaning that you can work and play to your heart’s content. The best feature has to be the adjustable headrest and foot net make all the difference for the 17h and 10m of fly time.

Craft: Airbus A380
Best feature: Marc Newson designed seats

If you too would prefer dry weather to dry turkey, why not jet off somewhere far away for a sunny Christmas? It’s not a cheap time of year to travel, this is true but then, Christmas is an expensive time of year whatever you do.

Besides, last minute bargains certainly do happen and if you’re not so lucky, well now is the time to find low airfare prices for Christmas 2018. Here’s a list of some of the most popular places for a sunny Christmas.

Sandmen in Australia

What do you do in the southern hemisphere at Christmas? Well, it’s hot here so – grill, swim, lay on the beach and make sandmen not snowmen. In Perth you can take part in the festivities in the build up to Christmas like the switching on of the lights and the Twilight Hawkers and Princess May Christmas markets. Closer to the 25^th take a drive down to the Margaret River region where it’s cooler than the big city and explore caves and vineyards. In the new year, you’ll be able to fly direct to Perth from London with Qantas. Compare current airfares to Perth today.

A sunny Christmas in South Africa

You might be angling to tick the big five off the safari list but how about penguins? The Arctic penguin colony on Boulder’s Beach lives there year round and there are killer views of Table Mountain.  Temperatures are on the up at this time of year (expect a sunny Christmas of 25 degrees Celsius) beckoning people into the outdoors. Rent a car and sample some Christmas vintages (Stellenbosch and Franschhoek) on the drive down from Cape Town. Book well in advance though for cheap flights to South Africa as this is a popular time of year.

Escape it all in Bora Bora

If you’re looking to escape the Christmas bedlam and madness entirely, cast your eyes to the Southern Pacific. Not even Santa makes it this far – it’s too far out. It might well be the wet season but there are still plenty of days of sunshine to be had and there’s less crowds too. Luxury hotels put on cocktail evenings and you can Christmas shop for exotic gifts to take home at the Village de Noel. Search for last minute flights to French Polynesia today.

Spread it out in Mexico

In true Mexican fiesta style, sunny Christmas’ here are extrapolated across the whole of December, rather than one day. The nine evenings before Christmas Eve are marked with candlelit posadas (processions) that finish at house with a star shaped piñata hung up. December 28^th here has become a kind of April Fool’s Day and gifts are traditionally given to children later, on the sixth of January. There’s no danger of cold weather, December averages are a balmy 24 degrees Celsius so its prime beach time. Airline prices peak in December so book your Mexican holiday well in advance.

Thailand – a classic sunny Christmas destination

Real popular for a sunny Christmas. Instead of the spicy aromas of mulled wine and baking mince pies, smell lemongrass incense and wok-tossed chilli and ginger. December is a busy time of year for the islands of the south so definitely schedule in some down time in the more relaxed Thai spirit of the north. The weather is cool and dry at this time of year so take your Christmas morning walk under the shade of tropical evergreen forest rather than snow laden pine needles. Find cheap flights to Thailand with Netflights.