Taking the Mickey
WALT Disney World Resort in Florida is set to open a new Mickey and Minnie train ride next year. The child-friendly Runaway Railway will open on March 4 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, replacing the Great Movie Ride at the Chinese Theatre. Passengers will board a miniature train and go on a slapstick comedy adventure based on the Mickey Mouse cartoon short shows.
WE all long for sun – but you don’t want it so hot you can’t explore. Mid to late 20s seems to suit all and you can find those temperatures all year round.
January The Emirates
The Middle East is not all about blingy Dubai. The Emirates of Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah, are quieter, where you can enjoy the January sun and sleep under the stars in oasis camps.
A week in the Doubletree by Hilton resort in Ras Al Khaimah, B&B, with flights, costs from £770pp. See tui.co.uk.
February South Africa
Catch up with the England cricket team in the southern hemisphere, with big game viewing, great food and wine – and no jet lag.
If you want to go into the sea, head for Durban on the Pacific coast because the Atlantic side is a bit chilly. But a good way of getting the best of Africa is by staying in the wine lands in Cape Town and visiting the game reserves.
A week in the Franschoek Country House hotel, with flights, costs from £1,734pp. See virginholidays.co.uk.
March Egypt
The Red Sea is making a comeback thanks to the lifting of foreign office warnings on flying into Sharm El Sheikh. So the resorts up the Sinai coast, via ex-hippy resort Dahab to upmarket Taba Heights, will be pleased to see you.
This is a great moment to do a Nile cruise too, especially with a movie of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile coming out in 2020.
A 14-day “cruise and stay” holiday combines both and costs from £1,666pp, all inclusive.
See redseaholidays.co.uk.
April Morocco
The warmth is spreading along the north coast of Africa in April, which makes it a great moment to visit the fabulous city of Marrakesh before it gets too hot.
Besides the souqs and alleys with palaces and hidden gardens, this is also a place of rooftop cafes where you can sip cocktails in the evening breeze.
Seven nights in the Hotel Marrakech Le Sangho Privilege, room only, costs from £284pp, including flights. See loveholidays.com
May Malta
This is a great month for Mediterranean islands. Wildflowers are gorgeous in Mallorca, Corsica and Malta, so the hiking trails are at their best and it is warm enough for the beach.
For maximum heat, head for Malta, with a spectacular city built by Crusader knights around a fabulous harbour.
A week all inclusive at San Antonio hotel in St Pauls Bay from £505pp. See sunshine.co.uk.
June The Portuguese coast
By now the European mainland is getting hot, but it is not yet school holidays.
Portugal has been a top destination of recent years, with the Algarve particularly good value, and Lisbon and Porto popular city breaks. In the Algarve, Hotel Tivoli Marina Portimao is less than a ten-minute walk from the wide sands at
Praia da Rocha. A week here, B&B, costs from £449 with flights. See fleetwaytravel.com.
July Freshwater cruising
School holidays have started and Europe is hot, so an activity with a breeze is welcome. The rivers of Europe have a lot to offer, with big cruisers plying the Rhine and Danube. And the Netherlands has its dense web of waterways.
A week on luxury Dutch barge Magnifique, which sleeps 36, with all meals and tours, costs £1,085pp. See dutchbargecruises.com.
August Alpine lakes
The beaches are heaving, so find somewhere that is both warm, fresh and free of crowds.
Head for the Alps, particularly to the lake-rich