New: TUI’s all-inclusive 4T RIU Baobab with swim-up rooms in Senegal
Don’t miss out on summer holidays, grab a late deal at home or abroad. TUI has restarted flights to green-list destination Croatia. It is operating night flights a week during the summer months – five from Manchester and four from Gatwick.
The first flight to Dubrovnik from Manchester left yesterday, to Split from Gatwick and Manchester today and to Pula from both airports tomorrow, August 3.
The re-start of holidays to Croatia comes a week after TUI resumed its long haul flying to Jamaica with six weekly flights to Montego Bay, two from Manchester, three from Gatwick and one from Birmingham.
TUI is also making up for lost holidays by launching its winter programme for next year. You can book breaks now to take from November 1, 2022 until April 30, 2023 with deposits from £75 per person when booking in-store or spread the cost when booking online using Direct Debit with £0 deposit on select holidays.
You can choose from thousands of breaks in 45 destinations, including winter favourites such as the Canaries, Egypt and Mexico. But TUI has also launched a service to Senegal, next to the Gambia in West Africa.
TUI will be offering weekly direct flights from Gatwick to Dakar. Seven nights at the new 4T RIU Baobab in TUI’s platinum range offering 24 hours all-inclusive, swim-up rooms and unlimited a la carte restaurants, costs from £755 per person. See TUI
Country hotel: Gilsland Hall in Cumbria has stargazing breaks this summer
Gilsland Hall hotel in Cumbria, right by Hadrian’s Wall, are offering summer stargazing holidays before they close for renovation work in October.
The packages includes accommodation, dinner, B&B, including a backpack with waterproof rug and blanket, homemade sausage rolls, a flask filled with a hot drink, telescope and star guide. Single from £140 a night, double from £220 and family package from £250 a night. Your dog can stay too for free.
Gilsland Hall is set in 140 acres of landscaped garden and natural woodland, with spectacular views over the Cumbrian countryside. There’s lots of walks to spot wildlife and you can use it as a base for visiting the UNESCO World Heritage sites along Hadrian’s Wall, Carlisle, Gretna, Hexham and Newcastle.
After renovation the hall will be one of the region’s top five-star luxury country house hotels. See Gilsland Hall
Watersports: Stay at The Lensbury and let kids have fun on the Thames
Take the kids for a break at The Lensbury on the banks of the Thames in Teddington. Children over eight can choose from a selection of watersport courses including, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, raft building and driving a motorboat.
There are also activity camps including raft building, crafts, games, swimming, and tennis. Nightly room rates start from £145 for a double room or £225 for a deluxe twin/family room including breakfast. To book and for camp prices, see www.thelensbury.com
Late offer: Sail around the UK this summer on P&O’s new ship Iona
Cruise specialist cruise.co.uk is reporting a boom in demand for holidays on UK waters this summer. Sailings vary from a couple of days to a week or longer, with seven-night getaways – offered by lines including P&O Cruises, Cunard, Celebrity and MSC – the most popular.
Voyages depart from Southampton, with stops at Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow and Portland, while others just cruise the coastline.
Tony Andrews of cruise.co.uk said: “Seacations have captured the imagination of holidaymakers, with the option to stay in UK waters proving appealing. The amazing facilities and value-for-money that cruises offer, coupled with the lack of availability on land, means we’re seeing strong demand from both a new-to-cruise audience and seasoned travellers alike.
“The safety element is also really important. Cruise lines have gone above and beyond to ensure that guests feel reassured on and off their ships. The all-inclusive nature of a ship – including meals and entertainment –means they are like a floating resort with everything you need on hand to help you relax, unwind and really make the most of your time away.”
Seven nights full-board on P&O’s new ship Iona, from Southampton on August 14, now costs from £459 per person.