DEALS OF THE WEEK
BY
NIGEL THOMPSON SHORT HAUL
Portugal from £155pp: Depart Stansted on November 20 for a seven-night selfcatering break at the four-star Santa Eulalia Hotel Apartamento & Spa in Albufeira, Algarve. icelolly.com
Egypt from £595pp: Save 35% on a week’s all-inclusive at the four-star Meraki Resort by the Red Sea beaches in Hurghada. Fly from Gatwick on December 8. olympicholidays.com
LONG HAUL
Dominican Republic from £1,825pp: Save £1,094pp on a seven-night all-inclusive break at the five-star Casa De Campo Resort and Villas near La Romana. Jet away from Gatwick on February 24. loveholidays.com
CITY BREAK
Rome from £82pp: Fly from Stansted on November 9 for a two-night roomonly getaway at the three-star Fragrance St Peter Hotel near the Vatican. thomascook.com
CRUISE
Eastern Caribbean from £979pp: Join P&O Cruises’ Britannia in Barbados on December 3 for a 15-night round trip. Calls at Bonaire, Curacao, St Vincent, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts, Antigua and St Maarten. Departs from Glasgow or Manchester, includes transfers. iglucruise.com
Canary Islands from £2,904pp: Save £415pp on a 15-night all-inclusive round trip voyage on Saga’s Spirit of Adventure. Sails from Southampton on January 5, calling at La Palma, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Madeira, Lisbon, La Coruña and Leixoes. Includes port chauffeur service, free wi-fi, insurance and excursions. saga.co.uk/cruise
STAYCATION
Norfolk from £159: Arrive on November 12 for a three-night Stay+Play break at Haven’s holiday park in Caisteron-Sea. Based on a family of six sharing self-catering Deluxe accommodation. haven.com
North Wales from £599: Save £110 on a week’s self-catering at a five-star Hedd cottage in Harlech (up a steep hill with castle views, off-road parking, sleeps two). Arrive on November 26. sykescottages.co.uk
STAR BUY Turkey from £209pp:
A week on all-inclusive at the four-star Febeach Hotel near Side comes with flights from Birmingham on December 7. travelsupermarket.com
*Prices correct at time of publication and based on two sharing unless stated otherwise. sparkle to the city, some of Bath’s most iconic streets and buildings will be brought to life with magical illuminations from November 25. ■■November 12 to January 3. Adult
£12.50, child £11. bathonice.com
Ice Rink Canary Wharf, London
Skate beneath Canary Wharf ’s twinkling towers around One Canada Square, then treat yourself to a drink in the rinkside OffPiste Bar, which has heaters for chillier evenings. There’s no chance of rain stopping play as this year the rink will be covered by a roof decorated with more than 1,000 fairy lights. Open for 18 weeks, it’ll be the longest season in the rink’s history. ■■Now skating to February 26. Adult £17.95, child £11.95. icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk
Exeter Winter Wonderland, Devon
Skip down to Exeter’s first ever winter wonderland, which is bursting with festive fun and a giant Santa’s grotto. Located in the city centre at Northernhay Gardens, there’s also a covered ice rink, German bar, funfair with a 150-year-old carousel, extreme rides, The Grinch’s games stalls and special character days. ■■November 17 to January 2. Free entry. Skating from £12. Exeterwinter wonderland.co.uk
Eden Project, Cornwall
Eden’s glittering ice rink is back among the biomes. Catch the Cornwall Christmas Fair at Eden on November 10 and 11.
■■Open now to February. Skating £8 adult, £7 child, plus general admission ticket. edenproject.com
Ice Skate Birmingham
Located in the majestic setting of Centenary Square, this undercover ice rink has been voted one of the best in the UK. Relax in the Ice Lounge with a hot chocolate or a mulled wine. Or take in all the action on the ice from Birmingham’s big wheel.
■■Open now to January 9.
Adult £10.50, child £8.50.
iceskatebirmingham.co.uk
Gaze upon glittering trees, wander through a sparkling outdoor light trail and skate across the spectacular open-air ice rink enclosed by the castle walls. Inside discover the staterooms adorned with dazzling decorations and a 20ft Christmas tree, then join Santa as he shares seasonal stories accompanied by his merry elves.
■■November 27 to January 3. Castle £16, Castle and Santa £23.50, skating £14.50, light trail £14.50. warwick-castle.com
LIGHTEN
Christmas at Warwick Castle