Guide to the hottest winter sun destinations

Suffering from a shortage of sunshine? You don’t need an A-list budget — or unlimited free time — to find a winter bolthole. We seek out the hottest second-home destinations within a four-hour flight.

Admittedly, it has been the scene of speculative development and a cataclysmic property crash, but Marbella, a 2½-hour flight from London, is back in favour. The 1960s playground of the rich and famous — who came to the Spanish city for the beautiful coastline, stunning mountain scenery, year-round sunshine, fine restaurants and bars, and high-end shopping — is once again drawing in investors by the truckload.

A Post Office report this year showed that the Costa del Sol has one of the lowest costs of living of winter-sun destinations. “The peace and quiet in winter is just great after a hectic season,” says Marc Pritchard, sales and marketing director of the builder Taylor Wimpey España.

Read more: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/