Plot a course with Marco
Heathrow flights on September 23. BOOK: teletextholidays. co.uk, 0203 001 0628 ESCAPE: For a trip with h eastern promise, it takes under four hours to fly to Essaouira. On the edge of the Atlantic, 100 miles west of Marrakech, its coastal winds make it a hit with windsurfers. It’s also attracted its fair share of artists and musicians – Jimi Hendrix was a fan.
Base yourself at the Riad Al Madina, right in the heart of the medina. The four-star historic hotel in the shade of the ancient city walls is 200 metres from the beach. Restaurants, bars, markets, shops and a park are on your doorstep.
Formerly a 19th-century palace, it has been carefully restored to retain all its original charm BRUSH up on your cooking skills while on a cruise with fiery celeb chef Marco Pierre White. As well as lessons fr om the G Godfather of modern cooking, g guests will spend 11 nights s sailing around und the Canaries, w with stops at Vigo, Funchal, andan elegance. From the terrace, there are panoramic viewsvi of the houses of the medina, the souks, mosquesm and the big square. THETH DEAL: Seven nights’ B&B at Riad Al Madina with easyJet Holidays costs from £206pp, including fli flights from Luton on October 11. BOOK:B easyjet.com/holidays, 020 3499 5232 ESCAPE: Off the north-west coast ast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, this s archipelago of 10 islands has white sands and sparkling waters to rival the more famous tropical paradises.
There are also dramatic volcanoes and green mountainous landscapes – yet it’s less than six hours by air from the UK. The island of Sal La Palma, Santa Cruz and Lisbon.The Food Hero cruise on board P&O Cruises’ Ventura costs from £882pp, full-board, and sails from Southampton on October 16. For full details, go to planetcruise.co.uk or call 0808 278 8504. was once the centre of salt mining but now its stretches of gorgeous beaches and turquoise waters are the main draw. On the south of the island in the fishing town of Santa Maria, the Tropical Residence is ideally placed for a self-catering stay, with colourful market stalls nearby and the catch of the day unloaded from boats at the pier. Or you can eat out at one of the many cafes and restaurants around the resort. Santa Maria beach is a five-minute walk away. THE DDEAL: The Cape Verde Experience offers seve seven nights’ self-catering in the Tropical Res Residence from £579pp, including flights lea leaving Manchester on December 13, pl plus visa, UK airport lounge and private tra transfers. Birmingham, Bristol, Gatwick an and Glasgow departures are also ava available to book. BOOK:BOO capeverde.co.uk, 0845 330 2071 MY wife is in a wheelchair but we both still want to enjoy outdoor day trips in the UK. Help! DON’T panic – National Trails has a handy guide to walks, including a new one in the North York Moors National Park that is suitable for mobility scooters, mountain trikes and wheelchair users. The 5.3 mile Cleveland Way Circular starts at the Sutton Bank National Centre – which has accessible toilets, refreshment facilities and “the finest views in England”, according to James Herriot. The stile-and-step-free stroll follows parts of the Cleveland Way National Trail and Cliff Bike Trail, winding through woods and fields. Visit nationaltrail.co.uk/ cleveland-way/leaflets. HERE’S a toughh backpack for travellers whoo can’t bear to be parted from theirheir tech. It’s got a ventilated meshsh system so things don’t get too hot and its integrated stand means it can be properly propped up so you don’t damage your gear. It’s also padded to protect electrical equipment and has a hi-vis rain cover.