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The official top ten
Winter Sun Holidays

Perfect journeys from December to March…

If you're after a cultural 2025 winter escape, nothing beats Sri Lanka's historic forts and temples, peaceful tea plantations and palm-fringed fishing beaches. Add another dimension to your trip by following the Geoffrey Bawa pilgrimage route by staying in and visiting the great man’s architectural treasures, or for families who want a bit of adventure, we recommend our 'If Tarzan went to Sri Lanka' tour. 

North and South India are perfect if you’re hankering after a dose of even headier exoticism with your winter sunshine. From her balmy backwaters beaches, exquisite forts and palaces, to her vibrant people and colourful saris, India is a tremendously inspiring winter holiday destination, particularly evocative for children.

The vast archipelago of Indonesia is white hot from December to March and holds endless treats for tropics-lovers: emerald paddy fields, whispering volcanoes, pristine white beaches and warm turquoise seas  best explored on a luxury sailing voyage. This is also a great time of year to head to Vietnam for a luxury food tour, or to Laos and Cambodia for Angkor temples, charming cafés and a pampering private island treat. Burma is an ideal destination for adventure seekers and October to March it is the only time of year that hot air ballooning is possible. 

From swimming in see-through seas to able-fingered massages, gourmet food and exceptional service, the Maldives has all the ingredients for an utterly spoiling winter break. The Conrad Rangali is a fantastic all-rounder: it is great for families (it has a kiddie spa which does ice cream facials!) and it has one of the best house reefs for snorkelling and scuba diving. 

>> Read our blog: How to say Merry Christmas in 26 different languages

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Boutique South India: From Chennai to Cochin

Boutique South India is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. Starting in Chennai, begin your trip at Ampersand favourite, Palais de Mahe before journeying on to the charming town of Pondicherry, where you...

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2

Geoffrey Bawa; An Architectural Tour of Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Bawa... An Architectural Tour of Sri Lanka is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. This tailor-made tour is an homage to the legendary Geoffrey Bawa, the master architect who shaped...

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3

Tiger Blue, Indonesia: The Ultimate Sea Safari

Tiger Blue is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Family-friendly Itineraries and Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. Feel like the luckiest castaway alive on your tailor-made Tiger Blue itinerary. You will be able to...

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4

A Heavenly Journey through Bali, Indonesia with Alila Villas & COMO hotels

A Heavenly Journey through Bali is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. This heavenly holiday captures the very best Bali has to offer staying in three of its finest 5 star...

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5

Bonjour Vietnam… A Fabulous Food-lover's Tour

Bonjour Vietnam is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. Revel in the French grandeur of Vietnam's colonial past on this comprehensive tour, staying at glorious colonial hotels from start to finish....

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6

Laid-back Luxury... From Laos to Cambodia's Angkor Temples & Song Saa Private Island Resort

This itinerary is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Romantic Holidays and Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. This tour combines Laos and Cambodia's most alluring highlights: a stay in the enchanting former royal capital of Luang Prabang,...

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7

The Golden Land of Burma… A Luxury Tour

The Golden Land of Burma is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. This is our ideal trip to Burma, the 'Golden Land' using our favourite hotels in each destination and providing a...

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8

If Tarzan went to Sri Lanka...

This itinerary is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips and Top 10 Family Holidays. This tour is an Ampersand favourite! If Tarzan went to Sri Lanka we are sure that he would do something...

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9

Conrad Rangali, Maldives

Conrad Maldives Rangali is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Destinations and Top 10 Romantic Retreats.  This romantic resort offers sophisticated luxury surrounded by glorious natural beauty. Split between two islands and...

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10

Classic Kerala... Beautiful Beaches & Balmy Backwaters in South India

  Our Classic Kerala Holiday is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Family-friendly Itineraries. A relaxed introduction to the charming and diverse state of Kerala which is famed for its welcoming people, lush,...

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Client Testimonials

So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
We have just returned back from a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for organising everything. The transfer was excellent – for once they had perfect car seats. The villa was lovely, just what we needed and the hotel had helpfully put us as far away as possible from everyone else. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever seen – and I am slightly obsessive over breakfast!! There was an incredible choice, something for everyone and so beautifully presented. A real highlight of the trip. Thank you again for sorting everything - and at such short notice!
- Redmayne family, Phuket
We really enjoyed the trip and were happy that we squeezed so much into a few short days. The Burmese people were lovely and the sites were fantastic. We really enjoyed the balloon ride and would highly suggest it to others in the future. The trip went super smoothly and a good time plus learning happened for all. Yangon was nice as the Strand was quite amazing and we of course loved the giant gold temple. Many thanks for all of your help and look forward to future travel with you.
- Wallace Family, Burma

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