If you are finding yourself coping well with the credit crunch, and you fancy taking some time out from British terra firma this winter, there are plenty of affordable options left to you when it comes to holidaying in Europe this winter. Whether you fancy making it a cold one and going skiing in the Alps, or having a romantic city break to Prague, even visiting the markets of Amsterdam or Oslo, you can find a destination, and a deal, to suit.

But what if you are still after a little bit of gentle December sun? Whilst the UK languishes in darkness and frost, many of the countries further south enjoy mild winters that might even have you in shorts and t-shirts. Destinations such as southern Portugal, around Faro, and the majority of the Costa del Sol in Spain, as well as the Mediterranean islands, enjoy a pleasant winter which us Brits would probably find quite summery given our recent weather.

Or how about thinking a few leaps further east across the Mediterranean to the island of Cyprus? With a diverse and chequered history, spanning current political divide (the island is still split between Greek and Turkish ownership) and mythic ancient goddesses (the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, was born on its white sandy shores), Cyprus could be the hidden gem at the bottom of your Christmas stocking.

It needn’t cost a fortune to get there. You can still find a few deals on cheap flights from online travel agencies such as Fly Monarch, who will fly to Larnaca. From there you can explore this reasonably-navigable island yourself. With sun all year round, you can leave your thermals and woolly jumpers back in the UK: instead you might need to be thinking about the sunscreen.

Whether you feel like partying hard, and want to hit the beaches and clubs of Agia Napa, or if you are more interested in taking a cultural journey, exploring unknown beaches that are a little walk or drive away from the most popular (though stunning) haunts of Protaras, you might try Paralimni. Or how about hiking the Troodos mountains? You can even ride a donkey up there if you wish!