Winter sun, anyone?

We have chosen 10 destinations that will answer the needs of holidaymakers who have but one thing in common: they like it hot. Who doesn’t long for an intense dose of heat and sunshine at this time of year? To satisfy those cravings, we have come up with 10 holiday spots, where the weather in February is near perfect and there is little likelihood of rain. Rather than pick 10 destinations that are simply somewhere to flop on the beach, we have chosen places to suit the more discerning winter-sun seeker. So while Anguilla is a classic beach lover’s paradise, Dominica is for nature lovers, Cuba is for adventurous culture seekers, Egypt is for classical culture lovers and Baja California is for desert fans and sports fishermen. Anguilla This flat and scrubby little island boasts some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean – long curvaceous stretches of dazzlingly white, sink-as-you-step, talcum-powder sands. And, although you will not have them entirely to yourself, they will be far from crowded: Anguilla is a very exclusive place to holiday. The island has many gourmet restaurants (rustic-chic Scilly Cay, which serves barbecued lobster on its own minuscule island, is the most fun); several of the region’s best upmarket hotels (Cap Juluca, strung along a mile of sublime beach, is particularly good); and some of the most luxurious villas imaginable. Bear in mind, however, that aside from beaches, delicious food and good snorkelling and diving, Anguilla offers few other distractions. Dominica Experience the Caribbean’s natural landscapes at their most dramatic. Rent a Jeep, put on your walking boots and you will discover a towering interior covered in dense rainforest, thundering waterfalls and hidden, boiling lakes. Guides will take you to spots where you can view rare wild parrots and agouti (giant rodents), but you can also rely on visits from hummingbirds at the island’s eco-friendly guesthouses. Dominica does have spectacular beaches on its north coast, but they are likely to be a long drive from where you will be staying. The beaches and the island’s welcoming Caribs – the Caribbean’s last remaining indigenous tribe, with its own protected territory – appeared in the recent Pirates of the Caribbean films. This year should be a good one to visit Dominica, as the island is celebrating 30 years of independence from Britain, with events, such as a national hike, running throughout the year. However, Dominica is not green for nothing – even in the dry winter season, expect some rain most days. Cuba It is the Caribbean at its most fascinating – an unlikely mixture of arcane Communist ways, decrepit vintage Cadillacs, faded Spanish colonial architecture, fantastic music everywhere you go and the world’s best cigars. Do not hole up in a resort: they are bland and isolated, and you can find better beach hotels elsewhere. Visiting Cuba should be an adventure. With a week to spare, spend a few days in Havana. Stay in the renovated mansions in the old part of the city, which is gradually being restored to its former magnificence; hang out in classic bars once frequented by Hemingway. Miami The South Beach section of Miami Beach is a compact, walkable adult playground, filled with gorgeous art deco hotels, fashionable restaurants, hip bars and cool nightclubs. In short, it is party central. Sip cocktails in the see-and-be-seen bars of hotels such as the Shore Club, the Delano and the Standard. Refer to www.cooljunkie.com/miami for the hottest clubs – they can be pretty snooty, so ask your hotel concierge to put you on teh guest lists. During the daytime, skip the beach, which has all the charm of a sand-covered motorway. Instead, café and gallery hop along pedestrian Lincoln Road Mall, or learn about South Beach’s art deco architecture on informative walking tours conducted by the Miami Design Preservation League. The Maldives Try a little Robinson Crusoe escapism, but with 21st-century comforts. Almost all the 90 or so hotels in the Indian Ocean archipelago occupy their own mini tropical island, ringed by sandy beaches and a milky blue lagoon. Moreover, the diving and snorkelling are fantastic – it can feel like swimming in a giant, natural aquarium. Choose a hotel on one of the bigger islands, where you are less likely to go stir crazy. One of the largest is Soneva Fushi, which offers casual-chic, eco-friendly luxury, outstanding food (much of the fruit and veg comes from the hotel’s own organic garden) and a new astronomical observatory (free for guests to use). If you are after somewhere cheaper, the three-/four-star Meerufenfushi – which is encircled by a mile of stunning beaches and has room for a football pitch (weekly matches between staff and guests) and even a golf driving range – is a good bet, as long as you go for a superior room or better. Dubai Visit top-notch upmarket resort hotels; try the shopping – the city has more than 40 malls; sample th