GO OUT OF SEASON

While some European cities seem to go into hibernation over winter, others just get better in the colder months

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FUNCHAL, MADEIRA
Closer to Morocco than mainland Europe, Madeira offers T-shirt weather, even in winter (around 15C to 20C), and fewer crowds than summer. Head to the south coast city of Funchal, its capital.

Get your bearings by taking the 15-minute cable-car ride to Monte, where you can visit Monte Palace Tropical Garden (above) and gaze over Funchal and the sea. Then go to Blandy's Wine Lodge. Its 45-minute Premium Tour is D15 and includes a snoop around the ageing rooms, a museum visit, and a tasting of two Madeira wines. For an outdoorsy adventure, head north to Ribeiro Frio, where you can take an easy, scenic 1.5km walk to the Balcões viewpoint for vistas over the Ribeira da Metade valley.

BOOK NOW: Hotel Quinta da Penha de França, prices start at £99; penhafranca hotels.com

VENICE, ITALY