Brits are terrible at taking vitamin D but flock for vitamin sea – as the nation sees a boom in winter getaways following the coolest summer in a decade.
A new winter sun study by Post Office has revealed the best holiday destinations, with 62 percent of Brits feeling cheated out of a British summer this year following the coolest one in a decade and 70 percent saying they long for warmer days when it’s winter.
Yet half (49 percent) of Brits do not take vitamin D despite the lack of sun over the summer – with 52 percent saying they do not think they get enough. And over a third (35 percent) say they suffer from seasonal affective disorder.
It comes as 61 percent of Brits say they hate the cold winter months with 52 percent saying winter is one of the worst things about living in Britain and 41 percent counting the days until spring officially starts.
Dark mornings (34 percent), paying the heating bills (32 percent), slipping on ice (25 percent) and getting out of a warm bed in the morning when the house is cold (23 percent) emerged as the worst things about winter.
Clothes taking ages to dry drive a fifth crazy (19 percent) – as does defrosting the car in a hurry (16 percent), having a constantly runny nose (12 percent), wet feet (12 percent), chapped lips (10 percent) and travel disruptions (9 percent).
As many as 75 percent say they have considered seeking out winter sun between November and February – with Gen Zers three times more likely to spend Christmas in sunnier climes than baby boomers, with one in nine already booked to do so this year.
In fact, the new Post Office study found that the popularity of winter sun holiday destinations has reached such heights that they are now preferred to summer holidays – with 33 percent opting for a sunny holiday in the winter rather than the summer.
And for those wanting to know where to go on holiday in December the study uncovered the nation’s favourite short and long-haul trips for winter sun.
The best winter holiday destinations in Europe emerged as the Canary Islands (Spain), Crete (Greece), Cyprus, Rhodes (Greece), Sicily (Italy), Malta, Madeira (Portugal), Lanzarote (Spain), The Algarve (Portugal) and Tuscany (Italy).
Whilst the best winter holidays beyond Europe are The Maldives, Hawaii (USA), Barbados, Jamaica, Dubai, Seychelles, Thailand, Mauritius, Singapore and Cancun (Mexico).
The best things about winter sun holidays include escaping the cold weather (31 percent), the health benefits of sunlight and increasing vitamin D levels (31 percent), longer days and sunshine (27 percent), relaxation and rejuvenation (22 percent), boost to mental health (22 percent), affordable prices (21 percent) and avoiding crowds (12 percent).
Worryingly, 72 percent of Brits do not pay for travel insurance before they head off on holiday – with just a fifth saying they have travel insurance (22 percent). And even when travel insurance is purchased, just 14 percent know exactly what it covers.
It comes as Post Office calls on winter sun jet setters to make sure they have travel insurance cover and to read their policies carefully to avoid unnecessary expenses, which could be extremely costly.
Paul Paddock, Head of Travel and Protection at the Post Office said: “Three in four holidaymakers are considering winter sun holiday destinations as the nation looks to escape the British winter, following the coolest summer in a decade.
“Travel insurance will help to avoid unnecessary expenses, should you experience the unexpected whilst away. It helps to protect you and your family and can alleviate a lot of stress should anyone fall ill.”
For last-minute inspiration on where to go on holiday in December or best holiday destinations in January or February, you can check out winter sun holiday destinations temperatures here: Winter Sun Holiday destinations to escape to│ Post Office®.