LATE DEALS
Stay in a gothic manor, hike around Slovenia or relax on Mauritian beach, says
1. Country house class
A grand gothic manor in 500 acres of Berkshire parkland, Donnington Grove is available for 42 percent less through Travelzoo. It’s a place to inspire your British country-house fantasies – intricate tapestries, vintage furniture, original hand-painted wallpapers – but with the added benefit of an 18-hole golf course on the grounds. Walks in the North Wessex Downs are close by, and you’ll be a 15-minute drive from Highclere Castle – the filming location for Downton Abbey.
Two nights from £100pp, B&B, including a £40 dining credit, valid Sun-Thu nights until Jun 30, travelzoo.com
2. Hike around Lake Bled
Inghams is trimming the price of many of its European walking holidays this summer. All are single-centre trips with no set itinerary – you’ll receive advice about suggested hikes of various grades, plus the best local things to do. Among the discounted trips is a week exploring Slovenia’s beautiful Lake Bled, best known for its picturesque island-set church. Based beside a spruce forest in the zero-waste Ribno Alpine Resort, which serves excellent local and international food, you can meander along the water’s edge, dive into lidos and ascend to cliff-clinging Bled Castle. Depart before July 13 to enjoy discounts of up to £250pp. Seven nights from £1,000pp, half-board, including flights, transfers and two guided walks, inghams.co.uk
3. Short alpine river cruise
The continent’s largest river cruise operator, CroisiEurope, has launched a short cruise taking passengers from eastern France to the top of the Swiss
Alps. It pairs sailing on the Rhine with a full-day excursion to Switzerland’s Jungfrau Region, where guests ride Europe’s highest-altitude railway. Along the way comes a guided tour of Strasbourg and its half-timbered Petite France district plus time in the similarly quaint towns of Breisach and Colmar. You’ll be on a sleek, upmarket boat with no more than 87 spacious cabins. To celebrate the launch, prices have been reduced by £240pp for the first three departures.
Four nights from £1,082pp, all-inclusive, departing from Strasbourg on Jul 31, and Aug 13 and 15, croisieurope.co.uk
4. Spring into Morocco
How about an imminent trip to the warm climes of the Moroccan coast – and taking advantage of a special offer on the luxurious Rebali Riads? In the surf village of Sidi Kaouki, this walled resort contains seven riads blending traditional looks with modern touches such as remotecontrolled glass roofs. Within the grounds is a hammam and a tennis court. Savings of up to £265 are available on four-night stays between April 22 and June 30.
Four nights for four from £198pp, B&B,
fleewinter.com
5. Magical Mauritius
True to its name, Long Beach fringes a 0.8-mile stretch of white sand on the Indian Ocean island country’s east coast. Designed as a modern Mauritian beach house, the hotel has a trio of pools dotted around leafy grounds plus five bars. There are just as many restaurants, serving everything from Italian to pan-Asian, while all bedrooms have outdoor space. Golf excursions to the Ile Aux Cerfs island course are available.
Seven nights from £1,793pp, half-board, including flights and transfers; book by Apr 30 and travel May 3–11,
southalltravel.co.uk