Tiny tropical wonderland 4 hours from London where you can get a December tan and flights are £42
A tiny tropical island off the coast of Africa is the perfect winter getaway for those craving some sunshine. Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal, and it's got just above 250,000 residents. Its capital, Funchal , is the perfect place to use as a base when exploring the island. In December, temperatures there hover at an average of 21C. There's plenty to explore in Funchal itself, with the Mercado Dos Lavradores being one of the must-sees in the city centre. The food market is Funchal's answer to borough market, but thanks to the unique climate much of the produce won't be found anywhere else in the world. READ MORE: 'I tried the £12.99 Ryanair travel bag that stops fees and was let on with 2 week's worth of stuff' The market has fruits you won't have heard of (Image: FreedomMaster/Getty Images) Fruits like pitanga, Monstera fruit, small Madeiran bananas, and extra sweet passion fruits are all available in abundance. Many s...