Where should I book on Black Friday?

And, just like that, Black Friday’s over for another year. Discounts acquired, purchases made, bank accounts satisfied. If you missed our Pink Friday deals, we guess there’s always next time… Luckily, our destinations don’t go anywhere, so check out what was on offer and make a note for 2025. 

Mexico 

Everyone’s obsessed with Mexico rn… and you’re about to be too. Live it up on the Caribbean Coast’s cliché-level sands – party until the AM in Cancun, swim in natural pools – AKA cenotes – in Playa del Carmen and zipline through the jungle in Riviera Maya. You’ll also be within day tripping distance of one of the New 7 Wonders of the world, Chichen Itza. Or, for that dreamy desert-island aesthetic, Isla Holbox is the one – there are no cars on the island, and it’s all swinging hammocks, colourful villages and immaculate vibes.  

If you’re more into city breaks than Spring Break, Mexico City meets the brief. The capital’s an absolute treat for the senses – search for the best tacos from street food stalls, go tequila tasting in a local cantina and catch a mariachi performance in Plaza Garibaldi. The city’s streets are covered in art – the best is in the Roma district – but the biggest name here is Frida Kahlo, so check out her digs at the Casa Azul Museum. And if you’re around at the beginning of November, it’s all about Day of the Dead. It’s THE event, with celebrations taking place all over Mexico and the best scenes are right here.  

Our pick 

This tropical babe puts you a five minutes’ walk from Playacar’s gorg beach, and the perks don’t stop there. Four pools, five restaurants and four bars – including a swim-up situation… with ‘tequila’ in the name, margs in the pool just makes sense.

Greece 

Nowhere does island life quite like Greece… and summer’s basically on here from May until November. The South Aegean Islands serve up blue-domed icons you already love, like Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos and Santorini. If Mamma Mia!’s still living rent-free in your head, check out Skopelos over on the North Aegean Islands – sounds like a tour of all the filming spots is a bit of you. The Ionian Islands are off the mainland’s west coast and feature faves like Zante and Corfu, as well as hidden gems like Kefalonia and Lefkas.  

We can’t talk about Greece and not mention Crete, ofc… It’s the furthest south of all the Islands, so you already know it’s going to be HOT. You’ll love the ancient sites, like the Palace of Knossos and old town vibes in Rethymnon. Or, for shorter flights, though, the mainland could be a winner. Athens has the Acropolis and golden beaches, then there’s Halkidiki’s white-sand beaches and Mount Athos views. 

Our pick 

This adults-only resort’s got the lagoon-style pool of your dreams – we’re talking chic daybeds lining the edge and a whirlpool bath. Plus, the Kolymbia Coast postcode comes with a front-row view of the beach and there are loads of places to eat, but it’s the Greek market-style buffet for us… <insert gyros here> 

Canary Islands 

Where do you go for classic holiday vibes and easy winter sun? The Canary Islands, obvs. This archipelago’s closer to Africa than Europe but it’s actually part of Spain, so you get that steamy Saharan weather with all your fave Spanish things… una sangria, por favor. Tenerife’s a major BNOC (big name on the Canaries) – it’s been a go-to for Brits on tour since the sixties and hasn’t slowed down since. Everyone just can’t get enough of its year-round rays, buzzy resorts and beaut beaches – and Siam Park, ofc, the largest waterpark in Europe. It’s a similar story in Gran Canaria, another staple for its unreal sandy sweeps, pretty ports and high energy resorts, like Maspalomas. It’s a trending pick for outdoorsy types, too, thanks to its mountain trails, hill climbs and winding coastal roads that are ideal for hiking, running and road cycling.  

The other islands all have their own feel. Lanzarote’s got seriously stunning beaches and volcanic scenery straight from a sci-fi film, or Fuerteventura has big hotels and even bigger waves for surfing. Then, there’s La Palma, the smallest and most underrated Canary Island. It’s a lot lusher and leafier here – expect banana plantations and pine forests, and the towns are more like fishing villages than holiday resorts. The whole thing’s UNESCO-protected, with some of the best stargazing conditions on the planet.   

Our pick 

There are hotels, then there’s Dreams Jardin Tropical in Costa Adeje. This mega, white-washed hotel is serving royal realness, with its domed turrets and North African aesthetic, and it’s got the facilities to match. Eight restaurants, lush gardens and a fancy pool with hidden grottos and waterfalls… say less. 

Cape Verde 

Imagine Portugal and Brazil had a baby… enter, Cape Verde. This group of islands off the coast of Senegal is everything if you want the tropical life without firming a long-haul flight – it’s only about six hours from home, temps don’t drop below 24°C all year and their time zone’s only one hour behind… we’re looking at you, digital nomads. There are 10 islands to hop between, but Sal and Boa Vista are the ones you want to know about. Smaller Sal serves up golden beaches, big party energy and activities for days – diving, surfing, swimming in a saltwater lake… it’s all going on here. Boa Vista might be bigger, but it feels a lot more zen. Its mega 55-kilometre coastline makes it a spot for serious sun lovers who want to eat, sleep, beach, repeat. It’s main town, Sal Rei’s got nothing on Sal’s Santa Maria, but that’s all part of the appeal – instead of bars and beach clubs, you’ve got local markets family-run restaurants.   

Our pick 

The category here is more is more. The building’s giving real-life sandcastle, with a smaller version to match on an island in the middle of the pool. Other features you’ll love include in-water loungers, a swim-up bar and a whirlpool bath. Oh, and did we mention the hotel’s 24/7 All Inclusive? 

Balearic Islands 

Beach. Nature. Nightlife. The Balearics really are the blueprint for a dream destination… and they’re only around a two-hour flight away. These islands are sitting pretty just below Barcelona, but they’re deffo not your average Spanish set-up. Majorca’s Serra de Tramuntana mountains could be the Swiss Alps when they’re covered in snow, but the rest of the island’s stunning sweeps look like something from the Caribbean – Blue Flag bays, Playa de Muro and Cala Millor’s are some of the best.  The island’s not all active and beachy trips, though… The capital, Palma, is pure city break material, Magaluf’s for 24-hour party people, and you’ve already seen hilltop Sóller and its tram all over your socials.  

Things over on Menorca are set to 0.5x speed. The coastline’s covered in white-washed resorts and peaceful beaches – special mentions go to Cala’n Bosch, Son Bou and Son Parc. Inland, everything looks just as fine. The Albufera des Grau Natural Park is a UNESCO-rated biosphere reserve packed with lagoons and marshland. Set off on a hike and keep an eye out for water birds like heron and fish eagles. If you prefer nightlife over nature, the liveliest it gets here is Mahon, the island’s capital – sip local wine in one of the city’s bar-lined squares before showing up the locals in a salsa club.  

Our pick 

You can be on Sa Coma’s Blue Flag sweep in two minutes, or you can see it all from this pick’s adults-only rooftop pool. Things are pretty peaceful here, but you have access to a huge sports complex and a spa with a hydrothermal circuit, micro-bubble beds and whirlpools over at Protur Sa Coma Resort, a 20-minute walk away.  

You’re safe from screaming kids at this adults-only stay right on Santo Tomas’ sands. Live your best child-free life in the rooftop pool and in the spa, or treat yourself to a suite with your very own pool. You haven’t got to think about cooking, either – it’s all done for you at the All Inclusive buffet and the à la carte restaurant. 

Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.  

Author: Daisy Colley
Last updated: 25/11/2014