![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article31182388.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Attractive-woman-walks-on-a-wooden-jetty-in-the-Maldives.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIf you're hoping to finally tick the Maldives off the bucket list, then you may want to consider using up some annual leave early next year. <\/p>\n
The travel experts at Destination2 have crunched the numbers to find the best month for cheap flights – and January has come out top for a host of brilliant winter sun destinations including the Maldives, Dubai and Thailand. If you're not tied to school holiday dates then January can be a great time to head abroad as you'll find fewer crowds, plenty of sunshine and heaps of deals. <\/p>\n
For example, according to the data you can get flights to the Maldives from \u00a3263 in January, which is \u00a3400 less than August which was the most expensive month. Plus January is one of the best months to visit the islands as the weather is generally hot and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 24C-31C. <\/p>\n
READ MORE: Best value 2024 holidays according to Lonely Planet with 40p pints and \u00a313 flights <\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: Naked Brits flock to 'Hawaii of Europe' with nude beaches and year-round sunshine <\/b><\/p>\n
Of course while they are a bucket list destination, the Maldives can still be pretty costly once you factor in hotel costs. For those who are dreaming of somewhere a little closer to home, the good news is that there are plenty of 'dupe' destinations in Europe where you can also find cheap prices during the summer months, such as the 'Maldives of Turkey' with private cabanas and flights from \u00a365, or the lesser-known Albanian hotspot with white sand beaches and ridiculously cheap hotels. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Maldives weren't the only destination where January proved to be the cheapest month to travel. Other highlights included Dubai where you can find flights from \u00a3164, Japan with flights from \u00a3456 and Thailand from \u00a3491. <\/p>\n
March also proved to be a useful month for bargain hunters with deals such as flights to Barbados from \u00a3427 and Singapore from \u00a3473. <\/p>\n
You can find out more about the deals and destinations on destination2.co.uk.<\/p>\n
Looking for more travel bargains? You may want to check out our guide to holiday deals which we regularly update with the latest flash sales, discounts and other offers we think you'll want on your radar.<\/p>\n
For those after winter sun, there are some European hotspots where you can enjoy plenty of year-round sunshine. For example while summer may see crowds heading to the likes of Tenerife or Lanzarote, there is a lesser-known Canary Island that comes into its own at winter. <\/p>\n
El Heirro is the second smallest of the Canary Islands – but as its the furthest south, it has some of the best hot and sunny weather in the region. The hotspot boasts gorgeous volcanic landscapes, black sand beaches and resorts with pools, and in December it can boast balmy temperatures ranging between 17C and 22C. <\/p>\n
Want the Daily Star's top travel stories and best deals straight to your inbox? Sign up to our free weekly newsletter <\/i><\/b>here<\/u><\/i><\/b>. <\/p>\n