Somerset summer saver
August 23. Book by August 18. CONTACT: olympicholidays.com, 020 8492 6868. GREEK ODYSSEY: The largest of the Ionian islands, which found fame me as the setting for the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, is a star in her own right. Myrtos, with its turquoise blue waters, is one of the world’s most photographed beaches.
Fiskardo, the island’s northernmost port, with its colourful buildings looking out on a marina of glamorous yachts, is an unmissable photo op. BOOK IT: Seven nights self-catering at the two-star Skala Paradise Studios with Jet2holidays costs from £279pp based on two sharing. It SHAVE £1,500 off a short break at gorgeous Cossington Park in Somerset. The country house is ideal for a styl stylish family holiday, with its ro roll-top baths, four-poster b beds and rooms brimming w with antiques. ues. You can b browse thee giant library includesin flights departing from Manchester on AugustAu 31, 22kg baggage allowance and transfers. CONTACT:CO jet2holidays.com, 0800 408 0778. GREEKG ODYSSEY: Get a flavour of four Greek isles on a long weekend cruise around the Aegean with theth bonus of seeing one of the seven ancient wondersw of the world, the remarkable Ephesus.
Sailing from Athens, Celestyal Olympia will call at Crete, Greece’s biggest island, Patmos, with its ancient sites, stylish Santorini and glitzy Mykonos. Plus there’s the Turkish port of Kusadasi, home to the ancient city of Ephesus. Back on board there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture, learning Greek cooking or dancing. BOOK IT: The full-board three-night cruise with Celestyal Cruises start at £220pp for departures on August 26 and throughout September. Drinks and shore packages cost from £19 a day. Return flights and, outside, the hide and seek opportunities are endless, with 22 acres to explore. There’s even a play fort. Three nights in September in its Park House, which sleeps 12, now costs £1,000. See premiercottages.co.uk. with British Airways from Heathrow to Athens start from £347. CONTACT: celestyalcruises.com, 0030 210 458 3400. GREEK ODYSSEY: This island in the eastern Aegean Sea lays claim to being the birthplace of the great Greek mathematician Pythagoras. Sunvil has done the maths to offer savings of up to 17 per cent at Pleiades Apartments, with stunning views of Mount Kerkis and the sea.
There is a freshwater pool, play area and peaceful gardens. A long, sandy beach and village with tavernas are within a 15 minute walk. BOOK IT: A seven-night self-catering stay costs from £610pp based on four sharing a one-bed apartment including flights, departing from Gatwick on August 25, and transfers. CONTACT: sunvil.co.uk, 020 8758 4758. I NEED a break but I’m pretty skint. Any suggestions for the ultimate bargain break? IF you want to do some serious research, the Lonely Planet has released a Best Things in Life Are Free guide. That said, it does cost £16.99, so you’re going to have to shell out on that. It covers everything from the best sunsets in Asia without a price tag to wine tasting in South America on a shoestring. Closer to home, 25 European cities are covered in depth with things such as free museums, wild swimming, walking tours and a section called Stinge Henge. So you don’t need to go too far from home – Britain is at its best in the summer. Check out lonelyplanet.com/free for details.