October

South Africa

The continent’s third most-visited country after Morocco and Egypt, South Africa relies on tourism to the tune of 9.1% of total employment, and 7% of GDP. Therefore it will almost certainly be keen to make up for lost time and lure travellers back this year with as few hurdles as possible. The signs are good. It lifted most of its domestic restrictions on February 1, leaving masks, and the requirement to take a PCR test before you visit (regardless of vaccination status), the only obvious pandemic relics. 

Travel writer Simon Parker, currently based in Cape Town, said: “On the whole, South Africa feels as normal as it ever did, the only notable exceptions being masks in shops and the lack of fans at large sporting events. By October, however, the final restrictions should be long gone, and spring, when Cape Town blooms with wild flowers and humpback whales can be spotted from the shores around Hermanus, is a great time to visit.” 

How to do it

Audley’s Grape Escape: Cape Town & Winelands self-drive tour does what it says on the tin, providing ample time to explore Telegraph Travel readers’ favourite city and sample the viticultural delights of Franschhoek. From £2,315pp. See audleytravel.com.

November

Caribbean

The Caribbean, perhaps the world’s most tourism-reliant region, has been understandably keen to keep sunseekers coming, and, having briefly closed in spring 2020, the likes of St Lucia and Barbados have been open ever since. There are still restrictions, however. Testing remains a requirement to visit most islands, and unvaccinated visitors face some curbs (in Jamaica, for example, they can only visit certain resorts and take approved excursions). Furthermore, bars and restaurants on certain islands are still operating with reduced capacity and shorter opening hours. Come next winter, however, the party should have restarted. 

Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, praised the region’s calm handling of the pandemic, adding: “Testing in the Caribbean will be ditched by next winter as the threat from Covid is further diluted. It looks like one of the most attractive long-haul options for a winter sun holiday.”

How to do it

A seven-night stay at St Lucia’s luxurious Sugar Beach resort, which sits between the island’s photogenic Pitons, costs from £2,942pp, including flights from Gatwick, with Kuoni. Based on a November 11 departure. See kuoni.co.uk.