Go all in, and lose
All-inclusive packages often offer poor value, according to a study by Post Office Money. It found nine out of ten European destinations’ all-inclusive deals are more pricey than paying for bed and breakfast, then eating out. The worst example was a week for a family of four in Marmaris, Turkey, costing £2,771, while the B&B option came to £1,563. FROM aircraft to cheese, how things are produced has always fascinated people. And seeing it can make for a great getaway. Here’s a selection...
Cuppa tea Handunugoda, near Galle Sri Lanka
In some areas of Sri Lanka’s highlands, tea factories stand on virtually every hilltop, to catch the breeze. Many of them are happy to show visitors around. It is the setting that makes it special. Rolling hills with velvety rows of tea bushes and Tamil pluckers chattering and singing as they work. Inside the building the tea is sorted and dried, The Handunugoda Tea Estate is an easy day trip from the popular beaches of the southwest. You’ll usually get a cuppa afterwards. Free. See hermanteas.com.
Flower power Royal Flora, Aalsmeer Netherlands
Seeing the world’s biggest flower distributor in action is mesmerising. Trucks arrive overnight from the growers. Visitor walkways overfly the trains of tulips, chrysanthemums and more. You see the auction room where dealers sit hunkered over screens watching prices move around the world. The next time you buy a bunch of flowers you’ll know its backstory. £6.50. See royalfloraholland.com.
Say cheese Maison du Gruyère, Pringy Switzerland
Ever wondered how those crafty Swiss get to put holes in their cheese? Find out at the home of gruyère, their holiest of holies. This modern show dairy is in a village surrounded by mountain pastures under the shadow of the Chateau of Gruyère. It does its cheesemaking twice a day, mornings until 11am, and then lunchtime till 2.30. Learn about curds and whey and the key role of rennet – a natural enzyme extracted from the stomach of calves. For dessert you could twin your cheese with something from the chocolate factory Maison Cailler, just around the corner. Price £5. See lamaisondugruyere.ch.
Cash machine Royal Mint, Llantrisant South Wales
Is there anything more interesting than making money? Not much, except perhaps the huge security involved in the whole operation. The Royal Mint offers a 45-minute guided factory experience where you’ll get to see millions of coins cascading off the production line – for up to 60 countries. There is also an interactive exhibition. For those who literally want to make money, you can press your own souvenir £2 coin. Tour £13. See royalmint.com.
Squiffy valley Chiltern Valley Winery Fingest, Oxfordshire
Tippler tours are popular and there are some crackers in Scottish whisky distilleries. But for sheer variety in an idyllic setting we recommend this quirky winery cum brewery cum distillery at Old Luxters. It is in a lovely rural location on an old farm just above the village of Fingest, not far from the river Thames. Here vineyard and brewery tours run usually twice a day, and end with tastings of around three-four wines, two-three beers and threefour liqueurs, served with cheese and crackers and all made on site. Some visitors stay over in the Winery’s rooms. Price £15. See chilternvalley.co.uk.
Waterford crystal factory tour Waterford, Ireland
A TRIP to the cobbled streets and picturesque quayside of the historic city Waterford – Ireland’s oldest – isn’t complete without a tour around the crystal factory. See skilled craftsmen as they blow, cut, engrave and sculpt the glass into fabulous works of art including Wimbledon trophies. Regular 50-minute tours are available at the visitor centre from Monday to Friday only from November to February. Adult tickets start