The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
FIVE UNUSUAL ESCAPES
CYCLING IN TRANSYLVANIA
If you want to cycle through the Saxon villages and bucolic countryside that inspire Prince Charles to visit here every year, The Slow Cyclist (theslowcyclist.co.uk) offers five night (and longer) trips from £1,650pp (two sharing). This includes full-board accommodation, bikes, guiding and transfers. Flights are not included, but the nearest airport is Cluj, served from five UK airports.
MAGNESIUM BATHING IN SLOVENIA
Drink your way to wellness in the Slovenian spa town of Rogaska Slatina, where the mineral-rich waters are said to have the highest magnesium content in the world. Fleewinter (fleewinter.com) offers a week half board at the Grand Hotel Rogaska from £750pp (two sharing), which includes spa entry and treatments. Flights are not included. The nearest airports are Ljubljana and Zagreb.
WEEKEND IN LVIV
Lviv in western Ukraine is easy to reach these days with direct flights from Luton and Stansted. Architectural evidence of its Polish and AustroHungarian heritage is everywhere, and it’s a good wandering city with plenty to see over a long weekend. Seats in the stalls at the Opera House start from under £3. Regent (regentholidays.co.uk) offers four nights B&B from £540pp (two sharing) which includes flights, transfers, some excursions and guides.
DRIVING IN ALBANIA
Florida too tame for a fly-drive? Drive Albania (drivealbania.com) offers self-drives in Russian Lada 4x4s and will organise an itinerary for you that starts at €85pp (£76) per day (two travelling) including car hire, accommodation and 24-hour assistance. Guided options are available too, as well as set-date group driving “safaris”. There are direct flights from Luton to Tirana.
SKIING IN BOSNIA
New non-stop flights by Fly Bosnia (flybosnia.ba) launched recently from Luton to Sarajevo, opening up possibilities for a rather alternative holiday on the slopes this winter. Ski Sarajevo (ski-sarajevo.com) is offering six nights’ half-board accommodation in the resort of Jahorina, and one night in Sarajevo, including lift pass and transfers, but not flights. From £489pp (two sharing).