Cruise news
Jet2 has launched its biggest ever programme of flights and packages to Iceland for winter 2022/23 with almost 120 departures from across
its 10 UK bases. Options include Reykjavik city breaks and tours of the Golden Circle’s spectacular geothermal lagoons, spas and waterfalls.
jet2.com
Two new five-star French culinary 11-day river cruises are on the menu for Scenic this summer.
A Tastes of Southern France trip from Lyon on Scenic Sapphire includes an interactive workshop at a chocolate museum, a meal served by a Michelinstarred chef, truffle-hunting and tastings at a vineyard and olive farm.
The Flavours of Bordeaux voyage on Scenic Diamond features oyster tasting at Arcachon Bay, sampling the finest cognac and cheese, and a cycle tour of Grand Cru vineyards.
Both all-inclusive, butler-service sailings in May start at £3,195 per person with chauffeur-driven airport transfers and flights. scenic.co.uk ■■Amadeus has created a cruise and stay package for green-fingered passengers combining Amsterdam’s tulip season with the Floriade Expo 2022 horticultural spectacular.
The April trip on Amadeus Silver II includes an eight-day river cruise, a hotel stay in the Dutch capital and tickets to Floriade, which is only held every 10 years. Prices start from £1,699 per person with rail travel, transfers and wine with dinner. amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk
■■A sustainable wooden terminal with 930-yard seaview promenade has opened at the port in Tallinn, Estonia.
Demand for flights to long haul sunshine hotspots such as Mexico, the Maldives and Costa Rica is driving down
prices below March 2019 pre-pandemic levels, says global travel
site Skyscanner.net. Drops of as much as 45% have been recorded as consumer confidence returns and bookings
soar.
WALES
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
Discover 480 acres of meadow, grassland and woodland, full of ancient trees that look stunning against a wintry landscape. On a crisp, clear day on the Old Golf Walk you can see the Forest of Bowland 70 miles to the north, and the Peak District 65 miles to the east. Adult £14, child £7.
Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey
This is one of the best times of year to enjoy the unspoilt view from Plas Newydd across the Menai Strait to Snowdonia.
There are 150 acres of gardens, woods and parkland — the Australasian arboretum is particularly lovely. The only locations off limits to canine companions are the house and the Terraced Garden, where precise planting demands it is a paw-free zone. Adult £7, child £3.50.
Stackpole, Pembrokeshire
Footpaths stretch down from the former grand estate, Stackpole Court, across dramatic cliffs to some of the most beautiful coastline in the world, including Broadhaven South, Barafundle Bay and Stackpole Quay.
The famous Bosherston Lakes were created 200 years ago to provide a backdrop to Stackpole Court. In winter they welcome wildfowl, such as goosander (look out for the females with their vibrant ginger heads) and speckled grey gadwall. Free.