Coach for Tiger Tim
IF you missed out on Wimbledon you can still get your fix of tennis stars on an ace overnighter. Players including Goran Ivanisevic, Tim Henman, Carlos Moya and Mark Philippoussis will be at the Champions Tennis finals at London’s Royal Albert Hall on December 9. Priced from £119pp, it includes coach, one night B&B and a ticket. See shearings.com. THE list of national parks is endless so we have picked seven of the best natural beauties that offer an ultimate break from the concrete jungle. Book up and marvel at your wonderful world.
Luscious lakes The Lake District, England
FOR: Ruggedly beautiful landscapes It is the staycation heartland and a huge draw for international visitors. If you cannot be moved by its majestic fells, then there is no poetry in your soul.
From the lake cruises on Windermere and boutiques of Grasmere to the tea shops of Keswick and hiking trails in Borrowdale, there is something for everyone in this rolling landscape lined with drystone walls.
Come prepared for any kind of weather – there is a reason why this place is so green. GO: Tackle the Lakes with Hfholidays, which runs walking breaks from its country house hotels. A four-night guided walking break at Monk Coniston costs from £375, half board. See hfholidays.co.uk.
Wild west Yellowstone Park, United States
FOR: Amazing hotspot at the heart of the US The nation of sprawling cities and urban ghettos is also the nation of giant canyons, rock arches and wild wolves.
It is hard to choose among the many American parks, particularly in the states of Arizona, Utah and Wyoming. But Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, has to win.
It sits on a volcanic hotspot, so has geysers, hot springs and its own grand canyon, as well as alpine rivers, lush forests and tons of predator wildlife. And it is in an area the size of a small country, stretching over Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. The Grand Canyon is nearby, plus Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon and many more national parks within striking distance. GO: Tick them off on a 16-day Cosmos escorted tour Exploring America’s National Parks. It includes flights, hotels, transport, a guide and meals, from £2,539. See cosmos.co.uk.
Nemo heaven Great Barrier Reef, Australia
FOR: Most famous marine park in the world The stats of one of the world’s great natural wonders are astonishing. Earth’s largest living organism, visible from space, has 2,900 reefs, 600 islands, 300 coral keys, and 1,625 species of fish and covers an area the size of Italy.
Global warming, coral bleaching and cyclones are affecting the coral and fish content – but it is still an astonishing place. There are multiple ways of experiencing it and a good chance of finding Nemo, as clownfish-rich anemones are pretty widespread.
The added bonus is the warm tropical weather up off the coast of Queensland and the unblemished rainforest that covers the land here. Expect plenty of crocodiles. GO: A ten-night holiday via Cairns, gateway to the Reef, with flights and campervan hire, costs from £959. See travelbag.co.uk.
Bear necessities Jasper National Park, Canada
FOR: Meet a bear, spot an eagle The Rocky Mountains run virtually the whole length of North America but it is the Canadian side of the border where they are at their best.
Expect mountain passes and lodges, glacier-fed lakes and celebrity ski resorts and peaks as high as Mont Blanc. This is a breathtaking world of eagles and bears, tumbling rivers and dramatic mountainscapes, with all kinds of outdoor fun. Or unwind on trains, scenic drives and cable cars while having a good look at a wild world.
For a real taste of wilderness, try a roadtrip with a hired campervan. For overnight parking, head for the security of designated campsites. GO: A 12-day Roaming the Rockies package, including flights and motorhome hire, costs from £1,030. See canadianaffair.com.
Heidi high Swiss national park, Switzerland
FOR: The Alps at their most unspoiled The Swiss are particularly strict so their national park has to be nature at its most pristine, not arranged by the hand of man.
Up in Graubunden, easily accessed by a ditzy