...and closer to home
BALKAN HOLIDAY: SAVE £207
MONTENEGRO (along with Georgia) was Europe’s last country to come off the red list. Four nights’ B&B at One&Only Portonovi from £1,255 pp including flights, valid until April 30, 2022. (elegantresorts.com) NEED TO KNOW: One of the following — proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of travel, a negative rapid antigen test within 48 hours of arrival, proof of recovery from Covid-19 which is not older than 180 days.
GREECE FOR LESS: SAVE 35%
TEMPERATURES are in the low 20s during October in Kefalonia. Seven nights at the Kalokeri Apartments near the charming harbour of Fiskardo from £422 pp with three days hire car on October 16 (ionian islandholidays.com). NEED TO KNOW: Fully vaccinated travellers welcomed; must complete passenger locator form (travel.gov.gr).
LOVE LANZAROTE: SAVE 37%
IT’S warm in the Canary Islands throughout the winter — the December daily high in Lanzarote is 22c (72f). Stay for a week from £369 pp at Hotel Club Siroco on Costa Teguise departing December 11 with flights (olympicholidays.com). NEED TO KNOW: Fully vaccinated travellers welcome. More information at hellocanary islands.com.
ITALIAN JOB: SAVE 20%
EXPLORE the rolling hills and vineyards of Puglia in southern Italy — great for winter walks — while staying at Masseria Torre Maizza, a top-class Rocco Forte Hotel with stylish Olga Polizzi-designed rooms. Four nights from £1,250 pp B&B with flights (elegantresorts.co.uk). NEED TO KNOW: Double-jabbed welcome; must fill entry form (app.euplf.eu).
AZORES BARGAIN: SAVE 38%
ESCAPE to the Portuguese islands of the Azores for winter hiking and cycling. Seven nights from £508 pp B&B at the chic Furnas Boutique Hotel on Sao Miguel island, with flights (loveholidays.com). NEED TO KNOW: Negative PCR test within 72 hours of travel or antigen test within 48 hours; must complete Passenger Locator Card (portugalcleanandsafe.pt).
CROATIAN DEAL: SAVE 29%
PLAN ahead for an early summer getaway in Croatia and enjoy 23c temperatures and a big saving staying at TUI BLUE Kalamota Island. The price is from £746 pp all-inclusive with Gatwick flights on May 1 (firstchoice.co.uk). NEED TO KNOW: Proof of being fully vaccinated or having taken a PCR or antigen test required.
DASH TO TURKEY: SAVE £176
TURKEY remains hotter than the rest of E u r o p e i n O c t o b e r. S e v e n n i g h t s ’ all-inclusive at Club Med Palmiye, overlooking the sea, from £1,052 pp on October 23, including flights (clubmed.co.uk). NEED TO KNOW: Complete an online form 72-hours prior to travel (register.health.gov. tr). All arrivals 12 or over must have proof of either being fully vaccinated or recent recovery from Covid-19 or a negative PCR test (with 72 hours) or an antigen test (within 48 hours).
SPANISH ESCAPE: SAVE £202
BENALMADENA Pueblo is the oldest part of the Costa del Sol and filled with narrow streets and whitewashed houses. Three nights’ all-inclusive at the Holiday Village Costa del Sol is from £311 pp including flights on April 24. NEED TO KNOW: Negative test within 72 hours of arrival or proof of being vaccinated at least 14-days prior to arrival (spth.gob.es).
CYPRIOT DANCE: SAVE £279
TUI BLUE Atlantica Mare Village is in Coral Bay with a dramatic clifftop location. Four nights all-inclusive is from £517pp including flights on November 22. (tui.co.uk) NEED TO KNOW: Fully vaccinated travellers welcome but you must obtain a Cyprus Flight Pass (cyprusflightpass.gov. cy/en/vaccinated-passengers).
OFF TO MALTA: KIDS GO FREE!
THE Qawra Palace Hotel has sea-view rooms and is on Malta’s north coast near the Blue Lagoon — easy for a day trip to Gozo. Seven nights’ half-board is from £584pp with flights on October 22 and two children going free (jet2holidays.com). NEED TO KNOW: Proof of vaccine at least 14 days before arrival, public health declaration form and online passenger locator form must be completed.