TUI lists best holiday destinations in Europe for hot sunny weather this Easter
Holiday company reveals top 10 pick of spots offering best chance of good Easter weather
Many people will be looking forward to a chance to jet off abroad this Easter which is is traditionally a popular time to take an overseas break. The war on Iran has of course had a huge impact on travel in the Middle East with knock-on effects affecting the world economy and the Foreign Office regularly updates its travel advice and warnings for Brits thinking of travelling abroad.
While people's holiday plans may seem insignificant given what is happening overseas, many UK families will want something to look forward to after the long drawn-out winter. As previously reported, there are current concerns that the knock-on effect of the conflict could affect holiday prices both at home and abroad but nevertheless those overseas hotspots still beckon.
Ahead of the start of the Easter holiday, TUI has drawn up a list of European destinations which are the most likely to provide ideal weather conditions for this time of year. The holiday company has analysed historic data on the average rainfall, wind speed and temperature in early-April in order to work out a Good Weather Score, reports The Mirror.
And Brits no doubt will be pleased to discover that the destination topping the rankings is just over four hours' travel time away and it is expected to see highs of 19C over the next couple of weeks. According to TUI's rankings, Turkey historically has the "most ideal weather conditions" during the Easter holidays, usually offering holidaymakers average temperatures of 18C.
It is also the destination with apparently the least chance of an April shower. In the Easter holiday months, the amount of rainfall is, on average, just 0.01mm. While the Foreign Office is currently advising against all travel to parts of Turkey - along the Turkey-Syria border - due to the war in Iran, the company's 'top spot' data relates to the popular destination of Marmaris which is in south-west Turkey.
This is said to be the place most likely to provide holidaymakers with the best weather conditions. It often reaches highs there of 19C around Easter and it is usually dry with only light winds.
Dubbed the 'Turkish Riviera', Marmaris is a lively port town with sandy beaches, turquoise seas, a marina, grand bazaar and historic sites including the 16th Century Marmaris Castle. Its Long Beach - Uzunyali - is around six miles long and has a promenade with lots of hotels, restaurants and bars.
A quieter option is İçmeler Beach, just south of the city, which has sandy coves and mountain views. Second on the list for good weather is Greece, where this time of year tends to see long sunny days and temperatures of around 16C.
Bulgaria is ranked third for its "pleasant and balanced climate". Like Turkey, it has light winds and low rainfall which can make it more suitable for exploring than intense summer heat.
It is also becoming a popular hiking destination, especially around the Rila and Pirin mountain ranges which offer a combintion of gentle trails and steep climbs. The Black Sea coast has around 200 beaches to choose from plus a range of resorts, from Sunny Beach, which is known for lively nightlife and cheap drink deals, to the beaches of the historic and cultural Varna.
Anyone planning an Easter trip can also check TUI's holiday weather guide here which provides a monthly breakdown of weather for popular tourist spots.
Europe's top 10 destinations for good Easter weather
- Turkey
- Greece
- Bulgaria
- Spain
- Croatia
- Italy
- Hungary
- Portugal
- Montenegro
- Gibraltar