With the summer holidays just around the corner, these four countries won’t leave you suffering because of the time difference
Now that we are getting into the brighter and warmer months, many people are counting down the days until their upcoming holidays. Having spent months cooped up inside as the temperatures dropped and snow showers made regular returns, many travellers will be looking forward to some consistent warmth and sunshine.
And for those who have yet to book their holiday, now may be one of the best times as a variety of holiday package providers are offering discounts or reducing their prices of their holiday hotspots. However, while going on holiday can be an exciting prospect, it’s a break from the routine, especially for children.
Considering flight times and hours on the plane are often a factor for families another aspect to consider is the time zone the country of your potential holiday is in. For some this may not be a bother, while for others switching to a different time zone can mess with the bodyclock.
Take for example when the clock changes for daylight savings in the UK. Whether we are losing an hour in spring or gaining an hour in autumn, this slight switch in time can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm. Along with changes to how long we get to sleep, this can also have an impact on when your meal times are.
For some of us, this can leave us feeling hungry throughout the day as our internal clock hasn’t adapted to the different time. The same can then be said for travelling to a country in a different time zone.
While some countries are only an hour ahead or behind, other popular destinations can be two or three hours. This switch can be even more troublesome for families with children who eat and sleep at certain times. While their bodies will still be on their regular routine, the change in time can mean disruption when you arrive and when you get home too.
Thankfully there are a few holiday destinations that are currently in the same time zone as the UK, which means travellers don’t need to suffer from jet lag and its after effects.
It should be noted that some of the countries on the list only match up with the UK time during the summer months due to the countries in the United Kingdom losing an hour for daylight saving.
This also means the reverse is true. At the moment, Iceland is currently an hour behind the UK as the country stays on Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year. Therefore, when the UK gains an hour in late October, both the UK and Iceland will be in the same time zone.
Below are four holiday hotspots that are in the same time zone as the UK during the British Summer Time that will ensure your vacation goes like clockwork.
Zero jet lag countries for summer
1. Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are a popular holiday spot for Brits as they typically provide warm weather from spring to autumn and are in the same time zone all year round. This means that each of the seven islands follow British Summer Time and Greenwich Mean Time as they change during the year.
The seven islands are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. The flight times from Scotland to the Canary Islands range from four hours and 20 minutes to four hours and 50 minutes, so it is crucial to bring items with you to keep you entertained while up in the air.
Over the summer months, temperatures in the Canary Islands can range from 24C to 30C, with most parts of the islands providing sunny days with little rainfall.
2. Portugal
Portugal is another country that observes Greenwich Mean Time and British Summer Time. Additionally, the island of Madeira also follows the same script. The Spanish speaking country is known for its national dishes or salt cod and grilled sardines, with the beaches in the Algarve being a major destination for holidaymakers.
Between the months of June and August, the weather is typically hot, dry and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 25C to 35C. Flights from Scotland typically range from two hours and 45 minutes to three hours and 30 minutes depending on which part of Portugal you are interested in visiting.
However, it should be noted that the Azores are not in the same time zone as the UK, currently sitting an hour behind. This autonomous archipelago is made up of nine volcanic islands that have been described as the ‘Hawaii of the Atlantic’.
3. Morocco
Situated in North Africa, Morocco is currently in the same time zone as the UK through the summer months. However, this country does not observe the transitions of daylight saving time, so during the winter months Morocco is one hour ahead of the UK.
Featuring a vibrant mix of culture, adventure and relaxation for all ages, Morocco is a great destination for a family holiday in the summer months. Along with camel rides in the Sahara Desert and colourful markets in Marrakech, families can also enjoy time at family-friendly resorts.
Flights can range between three hours and 25 minutes and four hours and 30 minutes. However, if you are someone who struggles in the heat, it may be best to visit Morocco in the cooler months as the country can exceed 40C in the height of summer.
4. Tunisia
The final holiday hotspot that will give travellers zero jet lag this summer is Tunisia. The same as Morocco, Tunisia is the same time zone as the UK in the summer months, but will switch to an hour ahead during winter.
Also in North Africa, Tunisia has a rich Roman history, while also providing access to the Sahara desert and Mediterranean beaches. Temperatures in summer can exceed 30C, but some coastal areas can offer slightly cooler sea breezes. However, travellers should be warned that the south of Tunisia can get extremely hot.
Direct flights to Tunisia take around three hours and 10 minutes to three hours and 55 minutes, however some airlines may want you to transfer making the journey longer.
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