I usually spend Christmas and New Year back in the UK with family.  So then I’m always itching to travel off somewhere in early January.  Europe has some of the cheapest airfairs in the world, so I got a 9.99 poundsbargain flight down to the Algarve in Portugal.

The Algarve is billed as a winter sun location, and although it was t-shirt weather and sunshiny during the day, at night you do need a coat.   (As you might have noticed my finding warm locations is usually a big priority of mine!)

I got a very nice cheap modern appartment on Expedia, and really got a lot of work done.  But that was probably because there isn’t that much else to do here in the Winter!   There’s a large shopping center which is great for stocking up on food,  but eating out isn’t that good (ever heard of any famous Portuguese food?) and you could often go for days without seeing anyone!

So as far as Europe goes, or if you’ve got a lot of work that needs doing then I’d say try Portugal, but I much prefer the paradise beaches of Asia!