Winter, with its short days and cold, nippy weather can make lots of people feel more than a little down and pining for a blast of sun to warm the bones. So the best way to deal with these winter blues is to just escape for a bit. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune on a jolly to the Caribbean or head off on a month long cruise; sometimes it’s enough to break your routine with a city break in Europe or, if you really do need that sun-drenched time out on the beach, a week in Florida or Egypt could do the trick.

City breaks to Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome are easy to organise and very affordable. And with a quick search you’ll find plenty of websites that specialise in late deals, so you could decide to just book the time off work and choose your destination at the last possible minute.

Sun holidays may be harder to come by on a tight budget but worth the extra few pennies (well, pounds). Gambia, Tenerife, Dubai and Mauritius (to name but a few) are still basking in the heat while we suffer in the damp. It is best to compare prices on comparison websites but if you have ten days to play around with, places like Egypt take only half a day to reach while Florida could be only one (long) flight away for you and your family.

Once you’ve decided on your destination, the next thing to start thinking about is your travel money. Comparison websites will display all the latest deals on travel money and exchange rates so they should be your first port of call. If you’re in a real rush you can change your money in high street travel exchange or at the airport and still get a great deal. If you are super organised then it’s a good idea to call ahead to check that the bureau or bank does actually stock the currency you need in order to save you a wasted trip. Some travel money can be bought online but, again, always check commission along with the delivery date.

Taking off during the winter months could offer that much-needed battery boost and there are so many deals out there your holiday could be just a few clicks away!