9 places to warm up in winter

Party
Rio de Janeiro: The city of samba, where life revolves around dance, drink, beach and sun. For 24-hour party people, February's Mardi Gras carnival is a must. But there's no such thing as a quiet night in Rio, so winter revellers at any time can be sure to catch a vibe. Ride the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, then work on your tan on Copacabana beach.
Weather: December to March temperatures range from 25C to 40C
Beware: High crime rate, so take care and stay safe
Also try: Canaries, Cuba

Adventure
Safari: What could be more exciting than sleeping under canvas as lions prowl around your tent? Or coming within feets of an elephant as it plods through the bush? Going on safari is the ultimate adventure holiday, and Europe's winter months are the best time for game viewing, so taking a trip on the wild side is the ultimate winter getaway. Tanzania is a good choice - there's snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the plains of the Serengeti, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, Great Rift Valley and Zanzibar. Intrepid travellers will choose a couple of camps and make the transfer by light aircraft for the best views. (Get more information on safaris)
Weather: Mid-20sC in the Serengeti, hotter at the coast
Beware: Early starts - 6am is normal - to catch the best animals
Also try: sailing in the West Indies, diving in the Red Sea

Longhaul
Australia: It's a long way to go, but worth it if you've got itchy feet for a big winter holiday. Make it a multi-centre trip and travel from Melbourne up the east coast via Sydney, Brisbane and the Whitsunday Islands to the tropical rainforests of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Guaranteed sunshine, as our winter is their summer, but remember to slap on the UV protection - those rays are mighty fierce down in the southern hemisphere.
Weather: Gets hotter as you head north to Cairns, with mid-20sC in Melbourne and Sydney
Beware: Creepy crawlies. Australia is home to some of the world's deadliest bugs
Also try: Fiji, Far East