If you’re fed up with UK weather and fancy jetting to sunnier climes during the winter months, owning a property in country where sun is guaranteed at this time of year is just the ticket. From the familiar, to the more unusual, here are our top 10 winter sun property destinations. Brazil
It’s the largest country in Latin America and is one of the top emerging travel and property destinations. With a year round average temperature of 26ºC and many glorious beaches, it’s a great winter sun destination. Ninety per cent of the rental market comes from locals and property is in demand. Maceio, on the north eastern coast, is experiencing a tourism growth, thanks in part to a new airport. The beach has 200km of picture postcard fine white sand and is a perfect place to relax and unwind.
What to buy: A one bedroom apartment on the sixth floor of the Edificio Leiria resort. Due to be completed at the end of this year, the building boasts a pool on the top floor, where you can soak up the Brazilian sunshine. Prices start at £26,000.
Contact: Barrasford and Bird, Tel: 0845 600 1871 www.bandbw.co.uk

Cape Verde
The Cape Verde archipelago lies 400 miles northwest of the coast of Africa. It’s an emerging area that has attracted considerable attention over the last few years, due to the year round tropical climate, white sandy beaches and affordably priced properties. “Cape Verde represents the best investment opportunity in the overseas market in 2008,” says Paul Akwei, managing director of Noscasa. Rental yields currently stand at 7% and are predicted to rise to 10% in two years.
What to buy: An apartment at the Costa do Sol development, just 200m from the beach of Estoril on Boavista. The high specification apartments start at under £30,000 for a studio.
Contact: Nocasa, Tel: 020 7872 5690 www.nocasacv.com

South Africa
With terrific sun during the winter months, South Africa is a popular spot for Brits. Prices in the country have risen considerably over the last 10 years, and it’s blessed with great wildlife and picturesque surroundings. “Increased tourism has led to a spiralling property market which ranks as one of the most favourable places to invest worldwide,” says Lloyd Cornwall, from Pin High Property.
What to buy: An apartment at the small, exclusive and low-rise Planet Africa development in the Sea Point area of Western Cape. Within walking distance of beaches, the development has a private swimming pool and residents’ gym and all apartments have patios and secure parking. Prices start at £71,000.
Contact: Savills Pam Golding, Tel: +27 (0)21 439 7415 www.pamgolding.co.za

Goa
If you’re keen to jet far away from the cold winter, then Goa, on the west coast of India, is an idyllic location to relax and unwind. It’s the smallest, but richest, state in the country and has many dream holiday elements, helping make it the most popular tourist destination in India. Tourism is the main industry and about 40 per cent of tourists come from the UK. Rajesh Goenka, from Axiom Estates, says, “Goa is undervalued, but it’s firmly on the growth path.”
What to buy: An apartment at Georgina’s Retreat, Betalbatim Beach in south Goa. The exclusive complex of apartments and penthouses is 500m from the beach and 20km from the airport. Prices start at £22,000 for one bedroom apartments and at £44,000 for two bedroom apartments.
Contact: David Stanley Redfern, Tel: 0800 634 2377 www.davidstanleyredfern.com


Morocco
Only three hours from the UK, this North African country offers great winter weather. The city of Marrakech is one of the key cultural centres in the country and offers good rental potential, especially as direct flights make it accessible. “Marrakech is a strong investment market that’s seen unprecedented overseas investments in the last few years,” says Rob Shaw, from Morocco Properties.
What to buy: A luxury three bedroom boutique villa in the Apple Gardens development in Marrakech. Built in a traditional style, set in landscaped gardens and with private and communal swimming pools, the villas are a 15 minute drive from the city centre. A three bedroom semi-detached villa is €264,000 and a three bedroom detached villa is €308,000.
Contact: Property Frontiers, Tel: 01865 202 700 www.propertyfrontiers.com

Dubai
With a subtropical climate the international city of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, has all the ingredients for a winter escape. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry say they’re expecting 15 million visitors a year by 2015 and an increased population by 2010. “Rental yields are incredibly high at between eight and 15% per annum due to high demand,” says Stewart Banks from Dream Homes WorldWide. “With the tax incentives, it only costs 1.5% of purchase price to buy in Dubai and there’s no VAT or stamp duty.”
What to buy: A studio or one bedroom apartment in the Metropolis Lofts development at Jumeirah Village. The properties in the two 29 storey towers have fully fitted kitchens and air conditioning. Prices start at £55,165.
Contact: Dream Homes WorldWide, Tel: 08000 193 847 www.dreamhomesww.com

Philippines
South East Asia is another destination with guaranteed winter sun and, it’s capital Manila, is on the up. The GDP in the Philippines has been rising at over 5% a year and the capital is a major trading centre. In particular, the district of Makati is the hub of the financial district and the area which attracts upmarket travellers.
What to buy: An apartment at the Lancaster Atrium Towers, in Makati, Manila. From studios to three bedroom apartments, the properties all come fully furnished and fitted, so would be in a state fit for visiting or renting immediately. A one bedroom apartment costs £40,000, a two bedroom £69,000 and a three bedroom £97,000.
Contact: David Stanley Redfern, Tel: 0800 634 2377 www.davidstanleyredfern.com


Canary Islands
Within easy reach of the UK, and boasting guaranteed sun during the winter months – the average annual temperature is 22C - the Canary Islands are a favourite with Brits. In fact, they attract 10 million visitors each year. Tenerife, the largest island, is packed with top notch facilities and property owners have a good market for holiday lets. The island has a five year building moratorium in place, so new developments are restricted, and those that are permitted are in demand.
What to buy: An apartment at the CLC Estates California Golf Resort in the south of Tenerife. The 16,000 square metre site is 200m from the sea, and the apartments will have designer kitchens, ensuites and outdoor Jacuzzis. Prices start at €290,000 for a two bedroom apartment and €320,000 for a three bedroom property.
Contact: CLC Estates, Tel: 0208 358 4113 www.clcestates.com


Barbados
The Caribbean basks in sunshine year round and is a long-term favourite of celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham, Simon Cowell and Hugh Grant, who all own homes here. Thanks to the exotic location, there’s a good market for rentals, particularly attracting the UK and US market. What’s more, “You can expect good growth of around 8-10% a year,” says Mark O’Sullivan, from Currencies Direct.
What to buy: An apartment or villa at the exclusive Royal Westmoreland 500 acre estate in Barbados. With a world class golf course and extensive facilities, there’s a choice of one, two or three bedroom apartments, or two or three bedroom villas in a variety of styles. Priced from £460,000 for a two bedroom villa.
Contact: Royal Westmoreland, Tel: 01524 782 593 www.royalwestmoreland.com

Tobago
This tiny island in the Caribbean offers a tropical escape to a considerably warmer environment. Home to the oldest protected rainforest in the Western hemisphere, and one of the top 10 scuba diving sites in the world, Tobago is an unspoilt retreat and a gorgeous location for a winter sun retreat. According to the Tourism Development Company of Tobago, the island has a shortage of over 700 beds and ever increasing numbers of tourists.
What to buy: An apartment at Indigo Bay, overlooking two miles of beach at Little Rockley Bay on the south of the island. The development is located four miles from the International airport. A one bedroom apartment costs from £120,000 and a two bedroom from £194,000.
Contact: Property Frontiers, Tel: 01865 202 700 www.propertyfrontiers.com