We've got Near or far you SOMETHING can’t beat for everyone these holidays
THIS time next week Virgin Atlantic launches a new holiday flight from Heathrow to Tampa in Florida – and I so wish I’d booked a seat on the plane.
Florida, busily putting last month’s awful hurricane behind it, is a place with something for everyone.
There’s Miami, one of the world’s most colourful seaside cities with everything from art deco buildings in South Beach to art galleries in trendy Wynwood. There’s Orlando, with huge hotels, family-friendly villas with pools and, of course, all the Disney-led theme parks.
There are the many and varied Florida Keys, which we feature on page 4 (including several you may not have heard of before). There are the crocodiles of the Everglades, the space rockets of Cape Canaveral, the racing cars of Daytona Beach – and now there’s a fresh focus on Tampa.
The Gulf Coast city and nearby resorts are under-the-radar gems. And they’re set to glitter as Virgin’s new direct flights join those from rival British Airways.
Fly in for the thrills of the Busch Gardens theme park, stuffed with rollercoasters flagged as the ‘world’s tallest, fastest and steepest’ and most terrifying. Explore Tampa’s river walks and bright yellow water taxis, eat Cuban food and head to some of Florida’s longest, loveliest beaches.
These beaches are set beside seaside towns like Bradenton, St Petersburg and Clearwater and they’re the perfect base for a relaxed, all-American holiday.
BLOCKBUSTER SIGHTS
If you don’t fancy a long-haul flight to Florida (even on one of the shiny new planes Virgin is taking to Tampa) then we’ve got lots of inspiration just a few hours away.
The Top Secret City Breaks article on page 8 features lesser-known spots that tend to be cheaper and less crowded than Europe’s main capitals.
Smaller cities are still full of blockbuster sights. Our tips let you see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Porto bookshop that inspired Hogwarts and one of the world’s most beautiful beaches in Croatia.
On page 5 we also take a Sneak Peek at Tel Aviv, one of the liveliest and most surprising cities on the Mediterranean.
On my last visit, it struck me that the buildings had echoes of Miami, the beach reminded me of St Tropez and Santa Monica, and the parties were worthy of Ibiza.
And the food? Well, from breakfast to late-night dinners, Tel Aviv's cuisine proved to be some of the healthiest, best-presented and tastiest I’ve ever tried.
DREAM CRUISES
No issue of Check In would be complete without ideas for UK cruise-lovers of course
If you’re looking ahead, then on pages 6 and 7 we’ve got a detailed preview of NCL’s upcoming itineraries. On the theme of ‘something for everyone’ it’s hard to argue with a roster that runs from Alaska to Zanzibar and takes in the best of the Mediterranean and Caribbean along the way.
The most tempting holiday on the list? I’d say NCL’s 12-day Australia and New Zealand cruise, which takes us to places off-limits for far too long.
We’ve also got inspiration for anyone with big birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions in the months ahead. Turn to pages 10-11 to see why Regent Seven Seas Cruises are perfect. Its fleet of luxurious ships are some of the most spacious and stunning at sea.
And RSS can extend your holiday joy with bespoke, pre- and postcruise land programmes. On top of your cruise, you’ll stay in some of the world’s finest hotels and can enjoy everything from Inca ruins in Peru to Big Five safaris in South Africa.
CHRISTMAS TREATS
There are fewer than 60 sleeps till Christmas, a poster in my local pub proclaims. So fewer than 60 shopping days too... and I’m already dreading my usual last-minute dash to the high street.
So is this the year to shop differently? On page 9 we show how easy it is to get to Europe’s prettiest Christmas markets. Stretch out and doze on a coach, travel by train or sail between markets on a river ship.
My choices include the romantic Vienna and Steam Train holiday and the snowy Italian Dolomites Christmas Markets breaks, both with Shearings. I also love each of the train and river trips we feature.
I’m equally tempted by a wintertime trip to Budapest.
The page opposite suggests strolling around the city’s classic Christmas markets by day (chimney cake and mulled wine in hand) then staring at the stars while soaking in a historic thermal spa at night.
Add it up and there’s a holiday for everyone in this special supplement. Book one now or put the section aside to refer to later – and happy travelling!