What could be more luxurious than escaping the cold, rain and snow and venturing off to a hot, sunny, peaceful oasis miles from any where?  You don’t need to spend a fortune for a winter island getaway in the sun but if relaxation is what you are looking for, then a winter holiday on a beautiful island is the perfect choice!

For holidays on the beautiful Seychelles islands it is best to wait until March when the rains have calmed, although the temperatures average about 29 degrees centigrade throughout the year. April and October are the best months to dive as the weather changes from winter to summer (and vice versa). The Seychelles’ Bird Island is just 30 minutes flight from Mahe and the journey is spectacular as you look down at the clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean sprinkled with tiny islands and coral cay.

On the glorious island of Mauritius, November to April is the summer time with water temperatures reaching up to 28 degrees centigrade and winds usually steadily blowing and warm.  Little islands are dotted around the Mauritius coast, so why not explore or stay on Ile aux Cerfs, Ile Ambre or Ile Ronde? Surf, swim, snorkel – horse ride, explore the botanical gardens of Pamplemousse or the leisure park near Port Louis.

If you’d rather enjoy a winter island getaway in the Caribbean then the popular island of Jamaica is where you should find a good selection of cheap holidays, and the weather is at its best, especially in the north of the island.  Choose a cheap all inclusive holiday in Jamaica where you may enjoy entertainment day and night, or choose a luxury spa hotel in Jamaica where you can relax and partake in many treatments. Play golf, take a trip to the Blue Mountains, try your hand at deep sea fishing or simply laze by the pool…

For a winter Caribbean island holiday you could also stay in the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, Antigua, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts or Cuba.

In the South Pacific, the rainy season is from November to April, so for winter island getaways, why not wait until late April to visit the beautiful islands of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa or the Cook Islands?

For a getaway island holiday closer to home, Madeira in the Atlantic and the Canary Islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria are popular.

So what will January 2010 have in store for you?

For January holiday ideas how about a relaxing January holiday in the sun or a sporting January holiday in the snow? A city break for January shopping or a spa break in a luxury hotel?

Already (30 November) Canada is reporting superb snow conditions in Kicking Horse and Fernie with ski resorts in the USA opening in the next few weeks. By January you can almost confirm that there will be fantastic snow in North America for skiing and snowboarding, but do be prepared for the cold weather with extra thermals!

In Europe the snow has started to fall and for January ski holidays you should be able to have the pick of almost any ski resort…  Norway and Sweden are perfect for family skiing holidays in January, with France, Austria and Switzerland offering a mixture of popular ski resorts and quaint characterful villages in the Alps and surrounding mountain ranges.

From ice to sun!  How about a luxury January holiday on the gorgeous Indian Ocean island of Mauritius off the south east coast of Africa, to escape the winter in Europe? January in Mauritius is part of the summer season but head to the east coast and the beautiful Belle Mare Beach (home to many luxury spa resort hotels), is where you should enjoy a cooling breeze. Dramatic forests combine with white sandy lagoons and staggering long soft stretches of beaches in Mauritius, perfect for relaxing family holidays or romantic honeymoons. Visit the Black River Gorges National Park, hike the Central Plateau and Black River, picnic on Blue Bay Beach or take a gentle stroll along the coast at Trou aux Biches.

For a January city break idea, how about historic St Petersburg in Russia, close to the Baltic Sea? There will be a guaranteed chill in the air, but wrap up as warm as the natives, and you’ll have no problem exploring the State Hermitage area on the River Neva, shopping in Nevsky Prospekt, visiting the breath taking Russian Orthodox cathedrals with a break at the Vodka Museum.

A January holiday idea closer to home, could mean spending a weekend break in London, England’s capital. Prebook tickets to ice skate at Somerset House, Hampton Court or at the Tower of London Ice Rinks, or tickets for a show or lively Christmas pantomime! Join the shoppers in Oxford Street and Regent Street for the January Sales or whilst in London in January, take a tour along the River Thames, followed by a visit to one of the city’s magnificent museums such as the Science Museum or Natural Museum.

The Canary Islands and Madeira are only a few hours flight away from the UK and during January are popular spots for a little warmth and wide empty beaches too.

There are many fabulous and exciting countries to visit for a New Year holiday worldwide.

Cheap holidays to Dominican Republic in the Caribbean are available at the moment (13 December) for one week departing from Gatwick on Wednesday 30th December with Thomson Holidays.  Stay in the four star plus all inclusive ClubHotel Riu Bambu in Bavaro, Punta Cana including coach transfers from £1393 per person.  Wake up on New Year’s morning to the beautiful sight of fourteen miles of white tropical beaches, and blow away the cobwebs of 2009 with games of water polo and volleyball, scuba diving lessons and windsurfing.

The beautiful Maldives and spectacular Seychelles in the Indian Ocean are extra special New Year holiday destinations. Kuoni Holidays have last minute offers for 7 nights from 28 December staying at the boutique five star Velassaru Hotel in the Maldives from £2263 per person, and Labriz Hotel in the Seychelles from £4401 per person.

Tropicalsky are offering holidays at the end of December to Le Meridien on the island of Phuket in Thailand, from £1209 per person for six nights and holidays to the Grand Mirage Resort and Thalasso Spa in Bali for 7 nights from £1439 per person.

If you are looking for a New Year Holiday for the family with lots of activities, a holiday in Orlando, Florida is always popular. Not only is there an extensive choice of accommodation in and around Orlando, but so much to keep the youngest to the oldest member of the family happy. Travel to the Orlando Theme Parks, Movie Studios and Orlando Shopping Malls and factory outlets for an exciting Florida holiday at New Year.  Holidayhypmarket have New Year package holidays available from £1193 per person for 7 nights, flying from Gatwick on 28 December and staying in a two star Resort hotel on room only basis.