Summer of 2021 starts here!
Bookings have suddenly soared thanks to the Covid vaccine. And with tempting prices for early birds, find a holiday to look forward to with our blockbuster guide
YOU could be forgiven for singing along to Cliff Richard’s 1963 hit this week with its famous lyrics: ‘We’re all going on a summer holiday.’ The future of travel is still uncertain and there are bound to be complications as the vaccine is rolled out, but confidence abounds when it comes to booking holidays for next summer.
Tour operators and travel agents have had a torrid year but all agree that this week has been a turning point.
Here is our guide to where to go in 2021, with enticing offers to escape to the sun.
SHORT-HAUL: SPAIN
BRITAIN’s most popular holiday destination by far, with 18.1 million British visits in 2019, is raring to go next year.
Make it Majorca
RIGHT by the sands of son Matias and
Palmanova beaches in south West Majorca the four-star Globales santa Lucia hotel is perfect for a bucket and spade break. DETAILS: seven nights’ half board from £ 741 pp in July with flights from Gatwick ( tui.co.uk).
Lovely Lanzarote
FOR a bargain between July 28 and August 23, the three- star Oceano hotel in Costa Teguise on the east coast is close to the beach with watersports and hiking nearby. DETAILS: seven nights from £499pp self-cater
ing with London flights, book by December 16 ( ba.com).
FRANCE
NUMBER two on our list of favourite places to go, France attracts more than ten million British visitors annually — just a short hop across the Channel for self- drive breaks, or book a package.
Alpine adventure
GO hiking and biking in the mountains for a healthy holiday while staying at Club Med La Rosiere in the shadow of Mont Blanc. DETAILS: Seven nights for a family of four in July with LutonGeneva flights from £ 3,876 ( clubmed.co.uk).
Disney dream
INDULGE in theme park rides galore and stay in a world of magic and illusions when staying at the Magic Circus Paris, which is just a ten-minute free shuttle ride from Disneyland Paris. DETAILS: Seven nights from £461 pp in June with Manchester flights ( easyjet.com).
ITALY
SOME hotels have cut rates to lure back tourists next summer so this could be an extra- hot summer destination. 25% OFF
Sunny Sardinia
ENJOY a family getaway in style at the five-star Forte Village Sardinia with its spa and cocktail bars, plus great children’s facilities including Barbie packages and an aqua park. DETAILS: Seven nights’ half board from £2,739 for two adults and one child including flights; £895 off ( inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk).
Sizzling Sicily
STAY in a smart, two-bedroom apartment at La Scibina in the seaside resort of Marina di Ragusa in southern Sicily for a family holiday with pools, kids’ play areas and a nearby beach. DETAILS: Seven nights from £5,002 for a family of four with flights and car hire ( sunvil.co.uk).
GREECE
THE current requirement to have a negative Covid test within 72 hours of arrival and when you get there is unlikely to dampen too much enthusiasm for Greece, which now attracts three million Britons in a (normal) year.
Kefalonia calls
THE splendid curve of sand at Emplisi Beach and charming harbour of Fiscardo are close by when staying at the Fiscardo Panorama apartments, which come with a pool in a lush garden. DETAILS: Seven nights’ self-catering from £918 pp, including Gatwick flights and transfers in August ( sunvil.co.uk).
A bargain in Zante
SOAK up the sun by your pool tucked away on a peaceful hillside, 1,600ft above the beach at the basic but comfortable three- star Zante Star Apartments in Tsilivi on the Ionian island. DETAILS: Seven nights’ self catering from £475 including Gatwick flights in July ( olympicholidays.com).
PORTUGAL
WITH great value — anyone for a 72p glass of wine? — it’s little surprise Portugal has grown in popularity with 2.1 million annual UK visitors in 2019 up from 1.1 million in 2010.
All-go Algarve
STAY at the five-star Grand Muthu Forte Da Oura hotel in Albufeira — close to the beach — and enjoy walks along the coastline and the lively centre of the resort with all its bars and restaurants. DETAILS: Seven nights’ self-catering for a family of four with Bristol-Faro flights from £ 1,596 in August ( travelrepublic.co.uk).
Rural retreat
ENJOY the remote hillside setting above the River Mira in the region of Alentejo while staying in style at the Herdade do Freixial apartments, with infinity pools and beautiful gardens. DETAILS: From £1,152 pp B&B based on four sharing in August with Gatwick flights and car hire ( sunvil.co.uk).
CROATIA
TESTS currently must be taken 48 hours before travel. However, like most places, Croatia is keen to get tourism running normally as soon as possible.
Island getaway
THE peaceful island of Kalamota makes a perfect escape, staying at the only hotel the four-star Tui Blue Kalamota Island. It’s a 25-minute boat ride to the ancient city of Dubrovnik. DETAILS: Seven nights from £1,333 pp all-inclusive from Gatwick in August ( tui.co.uk). uk).
Istrian luxe
HOLE up in the e five-star Grand Park k Hotel Rovinj, which lives up to its name with plush rooms, infinity pools, spa and a splendid view of the old town of Rovinj. DETAILS: Seven nights B& B f r o m £ 1,459 pp with flights and transfers, saving £ 303 pp ( prestige holidays.co.uk).
MID-HAUL TURKEY
THE pound was 6.5 lira in 2019, now it’s above ten lira, making Turkey a top choice for a good-value break.
Villa thriller
GET away from it all at Orka Platinum Villa which has its own pool, is near Fethiye and the beaches of Olu Deniz in South West Turkey — one of a selection from Tui. DETAILS: Seven nights from £588 pp based on four sharing, flying from Manchester in June ( tui.co.uk). For villas in Europe and beyond see cvvillas.com, jamesvillas. co.uk, oliverstravels.com and thevillaagency.co.uk.
Go check Gocek
LAZE by the infinity pool, indulge in a spa treatment and try one of the many marina- side seafood restaurants while staying at the chic D-Resort Göcek. DETAILS: Seven nights’ B&B from £1,461 pp in June with GatwickDalaman flights ( kuoni.co.uk).
CYPRUS
QUICK to open the borders to British tourists with negative test results — and Cyprus has some excellent deals
Sports galore
SURROUNDED by palm and d olive trees and overlooking the placid waters of Pissouri Bay, Columbia Bay Beach Resort suits active families with its amenities including golf, tennis, watersports, children’s clubs and several pools. DETAILS: Seven nights’ B&B from £925 pp with flights and transfers ( elegantresorts.co.uk).
Villa with views
BOOK Villa Stella Maris on the near the Paphos Mountains and you’ll enjoy great sea views plus your own pool and beach access. Other properties available. DETAILS: Seven nights from £955 pp, four sharing, with flights and hire car ( sunvil.co.uk).
MOROCCO
BRITISH visitors with a Covid test were first welcomed in Morocco cco in July. Great value to be had. 22%
Marrakech express
OFF GET two free nights when staying for a week at the chic Riad Kniza with its arabesque decorations and courtyard pool in the heart of the medina. DETAILS: Seven nights’ B&B from £629 with July flights and transfers; £175 pp off ( trailfinders.com).
Water wonderland
SPLASH about to your heart’s content at the Aqua Mirage club hotel on the edge of Marrakesh, complete with waterpark and pools, tennis courts and spa. DETAILS: Seven nights’ all-inclusive from £ 675 pp in June from Manchester ( firstchoice.co.uk).
DUBAI
IF YOU need heat . . . the average daily high here is 40c+ from June to August, and a minimum 29c.
Desert dream
THE One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai is on a private beach overlooking Palm Island Bay. Its style pays homage to Arabian architecture with arches, domes and towers. There’s a first-rate spa. DETAILS: Five nights’ half board from £ 1,039 pp in June with BA flights and tickets to Aquaventure Waterpark ( best attravel.co.uk, oneandonlyresorts. com/royal-mirage).
Big savings in June
THE plush, five- star Westin n Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach ch Resort is offering almost halfprice bookings if made before December 16. Comes with a spa and a private beach. DETAILS: Seven nights’ from £ 959 pp half board with Heathrow flights in June ( ba.com).
LONG-HAUL AFRICA
THE continent was shut to tourists for most of 2020 but South Africa’s re- opening last month, announced by president Cyril Ramaphosa, signals a big change.
Sunny South Africa
TAKE a ‘ Classic South Africa’ tour of Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Port Elizabeth among other stop-offs and see vineyards, beaches and mountains along the way. DETAILS: 11 nights from £2,969 pp with flights, accommodation, guided tours and some meals ( kuoni.co.uk).
Namibian dunes
HIT the road on a self-drive tour from Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, for a fortnight’s adventure into the Namib Desert and on to Etosha National Park for elephants, lions and rhinos. DETAILS: From £2,895 per adult and £2,195 per child for 13 nights, car hire, flights, some meals and all breakfasts ( familiesworld wide.co.uk).
NORTH AMERICA
WHO knows quite when the U.S. and Canada will reopen their borders, but with vaccines and a new U.S. president hopes are high.
Family Florida
ENJOY a classic U.S. road trip around the Sunshine State for three weeks — it’s a fantastic family adventure, dropping by in Miami, the Florida Keys and Orlando — for the theme parks, of course. DETAILS: From £1,294 pp including Heathrow- Orlando flights, accommodation and car hire for two adults and two children in July/August (americaas youlikeit.com).
Golden days in Canada
TAKE to the highways of the Yukon, Canada’s leastpopulated, splendidly remote province, tucked away in the far North West, on a 14-night fly-drive through some of the old gold rush towns. DETAILS: From £ 2,499 pp, including Heathrow flights, accommodation and car hire ( completenorthamerica.com).
THAILAND
AT THE moment tourists are banned but the green light should be given by the summer.
Khao Lak Merlin magic
SURROUNDED by rainforest overlooking the Andaman Sea, the four-star Khao Lak Merlin Beach Resort is set in peaceful tropical gardens yet is close to visit bustling local markets. DETAILS: Seven nights all-inclusive from £1,144 from Gatwick in July ( tui.co.uk).
Go Koh Samui
LIVE in the lap of luxury at the Six Senses Samui with its infinity pools, slick restaurants, spa and views across the Bay of Thailand — and you can enjoy more than a third off the usual price. DETAILS: Seven nights’ half board from £5,945 per family with two adults and one child with flights and transfers ( inspiringtravel company.co.uk).
BALI
LIKE Thailand, Indonesia has a tourist ban now but prices are falling ready for when we get back to normal.
Beach and jungle
RELAX at the four- star ar Alila Ubud spa hotel deep in the
jungle of the interior for three nights before enjoying the watersports and beach at the five-star Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa — for a pampered summer getaway. DETAILS: Ten nights from £1,149 pp B&B with flights and transfers; 35 per cent off ( trailfinders.com).
Two countries
COMBINE ten nights in Bali at the he beachside, four-star Melia Bali with three nights at the four- star Furama Riverfront in Singapore for a double taste of South-East Asia. DETAILS: 13 nights’ B&B from £1,329 pp with Heathrow flights; saving £ 250 pp ( travelbag.co.uk).
INDIAN OCEAN
IF yOuR honeymoon or big anniversary getaway has been put on hold, there are some tempting prices to lure you back to the Maldives (already open to tourists) and Mauritius (likely to be soon).
Maldives heat
EXPECT daily highs of 30c while staying at the four-star Paradise Island Resort and Spa in the North Male Atoll, set by a beautiful turquoise lagoon. DETAILS: Seven nights’ half board from £1,315 pp with flights in July ( tui.co.uk). )
Magnificent Mauritius
FACING a turquoise lagoon with the e OFF cliffs of Lion Mountain rising inland, the he fun, four- star Preskil Island Resort has a lively bar and restaurant serving spicy local food. DETAILS: Seven nights from £1,149 half board with private transfers in July( trailfinders.com).
CARIBBEAN
EVERy island has its own set of rules, with St Lucia, Antigua and Barbados among the frontrunners to open to holidaymakers who have negative Covid test results.
Luscious St Lucia
WITH tennis courts, watersports, a spa pa and a gym, the four-star St James’s Club Morgan Bay suits sporty types but is set in lovely landscaped gardens in a quiet setting. DETAILS: Seven nights’ all-inclusive from £1,399 pp, including July flights and transfers ( trailfinders.com).
Barbados beach
CHILL out at the elegant Sea Breeze Beach House Hotel, facing a white sand beach. DETAILS: Seven nights from £1,333 pp allinclusive from Heathrow in July ( bestattravel. co.uk).
Awesome Antigua
IN A LuSH tropical garden facing the beach at Dickenson Bay, the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa enjoys one the island’s finest locations with watersports, pools and massage treatments galore. DETAILS: Seven nights all-inclusive from £1,975pp in June with flights ( dialaflight.com).
MONGOLIA
AND if you are feeling adventurous…
Snow leopards
STAy in yurt-like tents and go on trips to spot Asiatic ibex, Mongolian gazelles, polecats and — if you are lucky — snow leopards. DETAILS: 11 nights with flights and most meals from £6,995 pp ( wildlifeworldwide.com). AND FOR GLORIOUS UK BREAKS, SEE RIGHT