UK & Channel Islands
South Downs walking holiday
Walk the South Downs and Sussex coastline on a glorious new self-guided walking holiday which launches on 1 June. The walks are leisurely and your luggage is transported for you each day to your next accommodation. Including six nights B&B in charming inns and hotels, it costs from £595 pp including taxi transfers, route maps and notes, one dinner and two picnic lunches with Inntravel. See their Covid advice.
Jersey hotel
The most southerly of the British Isles, Jersey has an alluring mix of British charm and French flair that is in a class of its own. Greenhills Hotel is a characterful haven of peace and quiet with fabulous walks on the doorstep, an outdoor pool and an AA Rosette restaurant. Enjoy three nights for the price of two with full flexibility up to 48 hours before arrival. See booking terms.
Scottish road trip
In Scotland, McKinlay Kidd has a new self-drive road trip on Scotland's West Coast 500 The 10-night itinerary takes in the Argyll peninsula, the Mull of Kintyre and part of the West Highlands. It costs from £995 pp including B&B accommodation and car ferries. See the booking guarantee.
Shropshire hotel
The ever-popular Pen-y-Dyffryn Hotel in Shropshire is filling up fast but you can still get dinner, bed and breakfast from £105 pp per night on selected dates. The hotel is offering free cancellation up to 72 hours prior to arrival and no deposit required.
Narrow boat cruise in Wales
You could be cruising the Llangollen Canal in April on Debbie Jane, a beautiful narrowboat that sleeps four in a double bed and two singles. It’s available to hire for a four-night midweek break in April from £882 with Waterways Holidays. See the Covid booking guarantee.
Europe
Villa on Kefalonia
There’s 30% off all dates this year at Paradiso, a gorgeous villa on the Greek island of Kefalonia. It’s ideal for families with a private heated pool, huge lawned garden and table tennis, maid service and air-con. A week’s rental costs from £1,780 for 4 guests or £2,110 for 6 guests, excluding flights. Book with CV Villas. See their Covid policy.
Boating in France
Another option for families (or groups of friends) is a self-drive boating holiday on the rivers and canals of southern France. Boats are available for two up to ten people from bases in Aquitaine or on the Canal du Midi with a 15% saving between 17 May and 9 July, and 21 August to 31 October. No previous boating experience is needed. Book by 15 March with Nicols Boating Holidays.
Family-Friendly Sardinia
Forte Village Resort in Sardinia is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for families. It’s a beautiful spot, packed with family-friendly activities and entertainment. Seven nights half board at the four-star Hotel Bouganville costs a total of £5,941 (saving £1,049) for a family of two adults and two children under 12 including flights departing Gatwick on 21 August. Book with Sardatur Holidays. Check their Covid information here.
Luxury Crete
Another option for a well-deserved splurge is Elounda Peninsula on the island of Crete where seven nights B&B in a Peninsula Junior Suite with costs £1,701 pp in June including flights and private transfers. The luxury resort has a Six Senses Spa, private beach with water sports, a choice of seven restaurants and five bars. Book with Abercrombie & Kent. See their Covid policy.
Low key Turkey
On Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, the adult-only Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotel is a relaxing retreat with just 16 rooms, mature walled gardens, swimming pools and secluded corners. Seven nights B&B in October costs from £956 pp including flights and a free upgrade to half-board if you book by 31 March, exclusively with Cachet Travel. See the Covid policy.
French Alps
The fresh mountain air, hiking, mountain biking and clear blue skies of the French Alps are one of my top tips for summer 2021. Stay in a four-star apartment at La Clé des Cîmes in the resort of Arêches-Beaufort with shared indoor pool and wellness centre. Seven nights from 17 July based on four sharing costs from £194 pp (was £217 pp) including midweek ferry crossing with Peak Retreats. Book by 15 March to get the discount.
Villa in Croatia
In Croatia, Villa Ena is a beautifully-renovated stone house with private pool and views over Istria’s Mirna Valley. It sleeps four and is available in June and from August onwards from £770 per week with Oliver’s Travels. See the booking guarantee.
Small boat gulet cruises
Peter Sommer Travels says its small-boat gulet cruises are well suited to cope with Covid fears, with outdoor dining, sea swimming, water sports, hiking and sightseeing in small groups. It has a family cruise in the Aegean, and adult departures in Croatia, Turkey and Greece.
Long-Haul
Cuba city and beach combo
Head to Cuba this summer with three nights B&B at the Hotel Inglaterra in Havana followed by four nights on the beach at the all-inclusive Melia Peninsula Varadero. It costs from £939 pp (saving £350 pp) including flights from Heathrow and transfers. Book by 31 March with Cuba Direct. Covid promise here.
Luxury Seychelles
Couples yearning for a romantic treat should consider the Hilton Labriz Seychelles
where seven nights B&B in a King Garden Villa costs from £1,589 pp (saving £500 pp) including flights and speedboat transfers with Turquoise Holidays if you book by 31 March. Covid info here.
Club Med Seychelles
Club Med has opened a new eco-resort in a national marine park in the Seychelles, on the private island of Sainte Anne. Seven nights all-inclusive with flights departing 18 July costs from £2,336 pp (saving £412 pp). Children under six stay free. The Covid cancellation policy is here.
Kenya safari and beach
Combine the sensational wildlife of the Masai Mara with Kenya's tropical coast on a dream trip combining Hemingways Nairobi, the all-inclusive Ol Seki Mara and Hemingways Watamu. Between 1 June and 19 December, it costs from £4,600 pp including flights, accommodation with some meals, air and road transfers and conservation entry fees. Book with Mahlatini. Covid cancellation policy here.
Bubble in Thailand
Finally, how about a close-up view of Thailand’s elephants in their natural habitat from the comfort of your own fully furnished, transparent Jungle Bubble. Built on a wooden deck above the forest, these luxury pods also allow you to gaze at the velvet night sky. A one-night stay costs around £330 for two people. Details from Selective Asia.
March 2021
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Best of Wales: where to stay, what to do
Mindfulness & Meditation Websites and Apps for 2021
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