Bargain bonanza
Package holidays are being slashed by up to 65 per cent in a remarkable winter flash sale. So book yourself a treat for 2022 — because life MUST go on!
THE irony is that snow conditions in the Alps are better this December than they have been for several years. And there’s something special about spending Christmas in a ski resort.
We did it once or twice when I was still in short trousers. On one such trip to France it was so cold that my father and I abandoned a ski lift halfway up when it became evident that I was unable to speak.
We found a little hut where a fire was blazing — and the thawing out was almost as painful as the original freezing. But I look on it fondly, now.
This year, one can feel the pain of all those who had planned to be in France for Christmas and New Year — only for President Macron to come up with his own version of Charles de Gaulle’s famous ‘NON’ to Britain joining the then Common Market in 1967.
Omicron is widespread in France and there is still no proof that this variant is more dangerous than any of others — but Macron needs to show he’s prepared to make a stand against the British in the run-up to next year’s presidential elections.
On a brighter note, the red list has gone and the green light has been switched on for amazing deals in the early part of next year, as we feature across our first three pages today.
A friend has just booked return tickets in February to Barbados, pictured, with BA for around £500 — expensive compared with Finnair’s return flights to New York next month for £266.
Tour operators and airlines are desperate to make up for lost bookings — and many of us are just as desperate to leave these shores for a well-earned break. Having something to look forward to won’t go amiss either.
Next Saturday is Christmas Day, so there is no Daily Mail. Escape returns on January 1, packed with information, tempting offers and a bravado spirit of optimism for travel in 2022. Meanwhile, all the team here wishes you a Happy (and safe) Christmas.
GLOOMY days for sure. But all is not lost for those who can see some golden light around the corner. of course, it involves a degree of bravado because all this testing is taxing — but there are some fabulous bargains to be had as companies scramble to drum up some business for the New year.
What’s more, package holidays and flights can be booked with greater flexibility than ever. Here we look at some of the best bargain trips for early 2022.
JAMAICA BOUND HOW TO DO IT:
Seven nights all-inclusive at the ocean Coral Spring in Jamaica’s Trelawny is from £852pp including return flights on January 2. (firstchoice.co.uk) NEED TO KNOW: All travellers from 12 and upwards must take a PCR or antigen test within 72 hours of arrival. Authorisation required from visitjamaica.com.
CANARIES CALLING
HOW TO DO IT: Three nights all-inclusive at Paradise
Island in Lanzarote from £521pp including return flights on December 20. (tui.co.uk) NEED TO KNOW: All travellers over the age of 12 must show proof of having been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival. Everyone, including children under the age of 12, must fill in an online form within 48 hours of travel.
DUBAI DASH
HOW TO DO IT: Three nights B&B at the Grand Hyatt Dubai from £599pp including flights, for selected dates in March. (ba.com) NEED TO KNOW: All travellers must have proof of a negative PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure, when checking in for their flight.
ST LUCIA SLASHED
HOW TO DO IT: Seven nights all-inclusive at Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa, St Lucia, from £1,565pp including flights on January 15. (Virginholidays.com) NEED TO KNOW: Complete a prearrival form at stlucia.org/en_UK/ covid-19. All travellers over five years old must provide proof of a negative PCR test within five days of travel.
SRI LANKAN STINT
HOW TO DO IT: Ten nights half-board at Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa in Sri Lanka from £1,469pp including flights. Book for February 2022. (destinology.co.uk) NEED TO KNOW: Fully vaccinated travellers and under 12s don’t require a PCR test on arrival.
CUT-PRICE CROATIA
HOW TO DO IT: Seven nights’ half-board at Hotel Croatia in Cavtat, a village just a short ferry ride away from the old walled city of Dubrovnik, from £539pp including flights. Book for travel between January 3 and December 23, 2022. (tropicalsky.com) NEED TO KNOW: Must present one of the following — proof of vaccination, not older than 365 days; a negative antigen test not older than 48 hours; negative PCR test not older than 72 hours; or a doctor’s certificate of recovery.
MALTA HALVED
HOW TO DO IT: A week all-inclusive at the Soreda Hotel in the popular Maltese resort of Qawra from £279pp including flights on January 9. (olympic holidays.com) NEED TO KNOW: Proof of vaccination (at least 14 days prior to travel) must be presented on arrival. Children aged five to 11 must show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel.
MEXICAN WAVE
HOW TO DO IT: Seven nights all-inclusive at Paradisus Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula’s Mayan riviera, from £1,629pp including flights. Book for selected
dates until October 31, 2022. (caribtours.co.uk) NEED TO KNOW: Must register on the Vuela Seguro platform and present QR code on arrival.
MAURITIAN MAGIC
HOW TO DO IT: Ten nights B&B at Constance Prince Maurice is from £1,699pp including flights in January. (Trailfinders.com) NEED TO KNOW: Fully vaccinated travellers must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
THAI TREAT
HOW TO DO IT: Seven nights B&B at Casa de La Flora in Khao Lak from £849pp including flights. Book for departures in January 2022. (tropicalwarehouse.co.uk) NEED TO KNOW: PCR test must be taken before leaving UK and on arrival in Thailand (must stay in approved accommodation for 24 hours while awaiting the results).
PLUSH IN PORTUGAL
HOW TO DO IT: Seven nights in Villa Rafael II, just ten minutes from Albufeira on the Algarve, from £849 on January 2 sleeping four people (jamesvillas.co.uk). Ryanair flights (Ryanair.com) London to Faro from £30 return. NEED TO KNOW: Everyone must complete an online passenger locator card. All travellers over 11 need a negative PCR or antigen test.