Take off for last-minute twitching, treatments and truffles
From beach breaks to birdwatching, water therapy and golf, there’s a trip for everyone, says Emma Featherstone
Truffle hunting in Tuscany, village hopping in Norfolk or golfing in the Hebrides – September and October offer plenty of variety for those seeking a last-minute break. Also on our holiday menu are Cyprus, Croatia and Turkey – the latter having been removed from the red list last Wednesday. Here are 10 trips to book now:
IBIZA ROMANCE
Plan a couples retreat at 7Pines Resort Ibiza, which sits on the cliffs of the island’s west coast between Cala Conta and Cala Codolar beaches – the former a five-minute drive away; the latter a five-minute walk. Accommodation is split into hamlet-like pockets of lowlying buildings that form a contemporary take on the traditional Ibicenco village. There are clear views out to the Mediterranean – stop off at Cone Club for its sunset ritual. Here you can sip on cava sangria as the light fades behind the nearby island of Es Vedrà.
Scott Dunn (020 8682 5080; scottdunn. com) offers seven nights B&B at 7Pines Ibiza from £1,600pp, including flights
ITALIAN ADVENTURE
Wandering Vatican City; tucking into pizza in Naples; touring the ruins of Pompeii – you can weave many of Italy’s big hitters into this eight-day trip. It begins in Rome and finishes in Amalfi, mostly travelling by train. In the capital, you might opt for a guided tour of the Pantheon or soak up the masterpieces in Galleria Borghese. In Naples, trace the steps of the many civilizations that carved out the city (power was held by Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Normans, among others). From Sorrento, admire the pastel, clifftop towns along the coast, then take a boat trip to the Blue Grotto sea cave on the isle of Capri. Intrepid (0808 274 5111; intrepidtravel. com) offers a seven-night trip from £1,278pp, departing October 10
A CYPRIOT WELCOME
Seek out the last of the sun, surrounded by 25 acres of landscaped gardens at the Parklane resort in Limassol, Cyprus. Tune out beside its three vast pools – you’ll barely need to move, with cabanas in which to lounge and poolside restaurants and bars from which to dine. If you’re feeling energetic, water sports on offer include snorkelling, sailing and kayaking. Or perhaps head for its spa, complete with 14 treatment rooms and Thalassotherapy pools. Come nightfall head for seaside restaurant Mathis by The Sea for Mediterranean fare from award-winning Swiss chef Reto Mathis.
Inspiring Travel Company (01244 433311; inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk) offers seven nights at the ParkLane resort, including flights, from £1,635pp, departing October 1
ISLAND ESCAPE
How about a weekend on Islay, the southernmost isle of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides? The Machrie Hotel and Golf Links sits on seven miles of pristine beach: prepare to wrap up warm for walks along its private footpath. Keen golfers will lap up the 18-hole course, while wildlife watchers should try Loch
Gruinart: otters, hen harriers and some 20,000 barnacle geese are among the creatures to spot. There are also nine whisky distilleries on the island – the hotel offers bespoke tours and tastings. The Machrie (01496 302310; campbell grayhotels.com /machrie-islay-scotland) offers two nights, including breakfast, from £310 for two in mid-end October
HARVEST SEASON
Truffle hunting, vineyard tours and wine tasting are in order for a post-summer break in the Tuscan countryside. Book in for a week at the Villa La Massa and seek out the Italian white truffle in the nearby Strozzi Estate – you’ll be led by an expert hunter and trained dogs and your efforts will be rewarded with
a long, truffle-heavy lunch. When you’ve had your fill of the harvest, spend some time in Florence. From fresco-bagging to al-fresco dining, balmy early autumn is one of the city’s most appealing seasons.
Elegant Resorts (elegantresorts.co.uk; 01244 897271) offers seven nights B&B from £1,955pp, including flights, departing October 2
TURKISH DELIGHTS
Newly greenlit Turkey promises clear skies, sandy beaches and, if you pick the right spot, plenty of luxury. Xanadu Island is a five-star resort on a peninsula surrounded by the Aegean Sea, where you can start your mornings with a wander along flower-lined courtyards to the seafront. Here you will find two infinity pools surrounded by palm trees – perfect for cooling off in the midday sun or working your way through a novel. The city of Bodrum is a 30-minute drive away, with attractions including the 15th-century St Peter’s Castle, which houses a shipwreck museum, and nearby Bardakci Cove. Trailfinders (020 7084 6500; trailfinders.com) offers seven nights for £899pp in October, including flights and staying in a deluxe room
NORTHERN IRISH TRAILS
Not a sunseeker? Then how about a selfguided walking holiday along the Antrim Way, venturing to some of the most scenic sections of the Northern Irish coast? Highlights include designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the Glens of Antrim), castles (Dunseverick) and filming locations (Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which featured in Game of Thrones). And don’t forget the Unesco-listed Giant’s Causeway: first time visitors will be enthralled by its 40,000 hexagonal interlocking, basalt columns.
Exodus Travel (020 3131 6076; exodus. co.uk) offers a five-day trip from £689pp. Departures are available on October 1-3
ADRIATIC VIEWS
On a trip to the walled city of Dubrovnik you can spend your days exploring the medieval Old Town, dining in seafood restaurants or trying out scuba diving and sea kayaking. Make the Royal Neptun Hotel your home for the week: it overlooks nearby Lapad Bay and the Elaphiti Islands. October promises sunny days with sea that’s warm enough to take a dip, while eateries and tourist attractions should remain open. The beaches will also be much calmer – your hotel has access to the Adriatic Sea. Jet2holidays (0800 408 5594; jet2holidays.com) offers a seven-night stay on a B&B basis for £589pp, including flights, departing October 17
BEACHES AND BROADS
Before the chill sets in, a cycling tour through Norfolk’s villages and along its country lanes and coastal trails is still a tempting prospect. Bracing walks await on north Norfolk’s beaches, best combined with lunch at a country pub, or you can pop by Sandringham Estate, the Queen’s country retreat, or visit Jacobean mansion Blickling Hall. The trip includes three nights in Georgian market town Holt, which offers a base from which to explore the broads. Headwater (01606 369899; headwater. com) has an eight-day trip from £1,209pp
PLAYTIME IN PORTUGAL
Plan a half-term escape to the Algarve at the Pine Cliffs Resort. Children are well catered for: the kids’ club will keep those aged between four months and 11 years busy with toys, games and activities such as frog catching and reptile and bird shows, while on-site cooking classes and the golf course will occupy older children. Adults might take a break in the spa, play their own round on the nine-hole course, or just spend an afternoon gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean views.
Scott Dunn (020 8682 5080; scottdunn. com) offers seven nights at the Pine Cliffs Resort from £5,600 for a family of two adults and two children, sharing a two-bedroom Comfort Residence on a B&B basis, including flights and transfers
Overseas travel is currently subject to restrictions. See page 2