Winter wonderland

By Oliver Goggi

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IF�IT can turn Prince Andrew into an International Playboy, then rest assured a winter holiday in the sun will do the power of good for you. Nowadays it's not just the rich and famous that boast bronzed bodies in darkest January, the land of the winter sun is now more accessible than ever - providing you have an understanding boss.

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If you're looking for a cheap hot spot with fabulous beaches and fantastic food then Asia has to be the answer. Here's three of the cheapest and most accessible�places on offer over there:

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The first spot to consider is the ex-hippy outpost of Goa, yours for a little over �400 and 11 hours on a plane. Guaranteed rain-free from November through to the suicide season in April, when it hits 40 degrees, Goa has loads to offer for those who want more than a comfortable sun-lounger.� While most packages plant you on the northern stretch of the coast at Calangute or Baga, it's easy and cheap to move about with motorbikes costing a couple of quid a day, and beach huts even less.

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So, if you do visit the magical mud bath Lake at Arambol or the ultra chilled hangouts of Paolem, there's no need ruin it by rushing back.�

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Next up on the list has to be Southern Thailand. With two coasts on offer the west coast, home to the islands of Samui and traveller mecca Ko pa-ngan, is probably the best bet, being less developed and with less of an emphasis on sex. As soon as you land on the palm flanked runway at Samui you're minutes from a beach and right by a bar - and that's how the holiday can stay if you want. With bars such as the Green Mango and Bauhaus serving up a wicked Sang Som set for two quid many don't have the stomach to make the hour-long ferry journey over to neighbouring Ko pa-ngan, however, its definitely worth it.

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Our final tip for a bargain break takes us back to India, however, with a difference. Kerela, on the southern tip of India boasts more than beautiful beaches. With reasonable flights direct to Trivandrum and ultra cheap guesthouses, a couple of weeks spent floating down the Western Ghats and enjoying the beautiful sights of Cochin won't set you back too much. The Ghats are a network of palm-fringed lakes and canals fringing the Kerala coast, and travelling by boat along these backwaters is one of the highlights of a visit . You can even make stops on small settlements where people live on carefully cultivated narrow spits of land only a few metres wide. If a cultural experience is your thing then look no further.