Best holiday destinations; here you have the most sun guarantee

It only feels like a real vacation to me when I feel the sun burning on my skin. No worries, factor 50 is within reach. But really, those sun rays make everything just a little more relaxed. The only downside? It will eventually be winter again everywhere. Booking the best vacation destinations requires some planning. We've already done that groundwork for you. Whenever you find a gap in your schedule, you can be sure: the sun will shine.

The best vacation destinations in January and February

After the Christmas period filled with cozy lights, we fall into a little winter dip. January and February are those dark months when we mainly long for spring. Unless, of course, you are a true winter lover. Around this time, you won't see much sun here, and that applies to many places in ‘our’ hemisphere. To enjoy some nice sun, you'll have to travel a bit further. We’ve lined up some destinations for you. Dreaming of a sun vacation to the Maldives? Then this is your moment. A New Year's dive here is done at an average of 29 degrees, and in a turquoise sea. In February, you're still good; with ten hours of sunshine a day, this is the sunniest month of the year.

For the combination of beach and city, Dubai is the place to be. The average temperature around this time is about 25 degrees. Ideal for relaxing on Jumeirah Beach, but not too hot for a walk among all the skyscrapers or a shopping spree in the Dubai Mall. Are you already getting weak knees at the thought of such a long trip? Then you can also look for something closer. On the Canary Islands you can enjoy sun and temperatures around twenty degrees in January, with seven hours of sunshine a day. Choosing between shivering in the cold or walking on the beach in a T-shirt. I know what I would choose.

Here you find the sun in March and April

We all know the clichés about the weather in March. One moment the sun is shining, and ten minutes later you might as well take a boat to work. For a bit more certainty, you'll still have to make a longer trip. Mexico should not be missing from your options list. With 30 degrees every day, you'll definitely come back with a good tan. And bonus: in March and April, there's almost no rain, so you can leave your umbrella at home. An extra bikini is a must, though. You'll definitely need it in Yucatan, the peninsula with the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. Still looking for a bit of home away from home? Then book a trip to Curacao. The language is the same, but the weather is truly un-Dutch. You won't find much rain here in March and April. With around 31 degrees, you won't need a thick sweater. A few more hotspots that will give you those envy-inducing Insta pics: of course, the Queen Emma Bridge and the Handelskade, Grote Knip beach, and Christoffelberg.

The best sunny destinations in May and June

Around May and June, the weather in the Netherlands slowly gets better. If we're lucky, that is. In the surrounding countries, you'll need your sunglasses a bit more often, so with a shorter flight, you're already good. How about Portugal? Temperatures in the early 20s and enough sun to get through your days. The perfect weather for a city trip to Lisbon, or of course Porto; that city is a must for your girls' trip. Do train your legs beforehand, as there will be some hills to conquer. This is also the time to book for Malta. In high summer, sweat runs down your back, and that's a shame for those newly shopped outfits. In May, it's already 25 degrees, so you have nothing to complain about. Especially not while climbing the stairs of Valletta, the capital that sits on a hill. Fun fact: those stairs are often used as a terrace, so you can take a break during your climb with a cocktail. Not bad, right?

Want to go a bit further away? Then Gambia, Cape Verde, or Cuba are recommended. An average of about 30 degrees and hardly any rain. That sounds like music to our Dutch ears. These destinations are also just a bit cheaper right before the high season, which is never a bad thing. What you save (unexpectedly) can go towards some extra drinks or a shopping session. It was already counted in your budget; why we love girl math.

A sun vacation in July or August

During our summer, the list of sunny vacation destinations suddenly seems a lot longer. But if we think about it, we know that this isn't actually true. The choices are mainly a lot closer. If you turn the globe a bit further, you'll find winter scenes. We're not going that way now, but towards Southern Europe. Greece, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, or Turkey. When it comes to the sun, you're good there. You will also get a hefty load of fellow tourists; but with a table full of tapas somewhere in Valencia you'll forget that in no time. One advantage of vacations ‘closer by’: you can also combine some destinations. Personal tip: put island hopping in Greece right on your bucket list. A round trip through the Ionian Islands with Corfu and Zakynthos, or towards the Cyclades with Santorini, Mykonos, and Naxos. You're in one country, but it still feels like a mini-world trip.

Is that backpack sitting unused in your closet for too long? You can also plan that island hopping vacation further away. On Bali, Java, and the Gili Islands, you'll definitely get your sun hours. Just like in the triangle of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Just be careful before you head off to Asia or South America with your backpack. In many countries, this is actually the rainy season, and that's not what you were waiting for.

The best vacation destinations for September and October

As the sun slowly disappears in the autumn, the best vacation destinations also move further away. We can still go to Spain, but then to the southernmost part. Or of course the Canary Islands, that's always a good idea. In Italy, you're best off at the very tip of the boot, in Sicily. Right under the shadow of Etna, you'll still feel the warmth. Not the ‘sweat on my upper lip’ heat, but just nice. Want to really forget that summer is over? Just a little delusional? Then make the crossing to Egypt. Here, it's still thirty degrees in October, and the sun shines for about ten hours a day. We can only dream of that here, shivering by the fireplace.

Here the sun shines in November and December

I am a hundred percent team Christmas lovers. But with each day we can cross off the countdown calendar, it also gets a bit colder outside. And that's a shame. I absolutely do not share that wish for a white Christmas. Snow and I just don't match. Give me sun, even in December. For all my fellow supporters: maybe celebrating the holidays abroad isn't such a crazy idea after all. In Australia or New Zealand, Santa just strolls along the beach. It takes some getting used to, but believe me, you'll be in the summer vibe in no time.

Don't want to be traveling for a day and a half right away? Then there are also some sunny options ‘closer by’; and I put that very consciously in quotes. Even in the Dominican Republic or the United Arab Emirates, you can leave your coat at home. Of course, they are still long flights, but every minute less in the air is one more on the beach. In an ideal world, we would hop from destination to destination and fill our loyalty card with sun hours completely. Unfortunately, that remains a dream. But if you really can't ignore those sun cravings anymore, you now know where to be.

Image: Instagram |sarahputtemans