Take a break

From long weekends to long-haul adventures, you can’t beat these holidays

SPRING is almost over but summer doesn’t feel as if it’s quite arrived – so I officially declare the next few weeks to be city-break season.

It’s the time of year when almost everywhere in Europe is toasty and warm but nowhere is too hot. Everything is open but nothing is too crowded. Best of all, prices haven’t yet reached their school-holiday peaks and bargains abound if you know where to look.

This year, that means mini-breaks to cities such as Lisbon, Vilnius, Krakow and Athens, according to Post Office Travel Money, which ranks European cities for the cost of hotels, holiday meals, airport transfers and sightseeing.

Porto, Budapest, Lille and Riga also pop up on the latest low-cost list (with under-appreciated Cardiff the best value of the home nations’ four capitals).

Places we’ll need a bit more cash to enjoy? The same report says payment shocks and higher prices are more likely in cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Venice and Dublin.

IT’S EASY

Fortunately, long weekends are getting easier to arrange as airlines and holiday companies launch special city-break departments. The likes of Jet2 set the pace with loads of two- or three-night packages, where you choose from a mix of luxury or low-cost hotels, fly from regional airports around the UK and check in bags for free.

It’s even got a clever ‘cities by the beach’ section online, with mini-breaks to destinations such Barcelona, Palma, Faro and Nice. They’re perfect places to enjoy sightseeing and sandy beaches on the same long, hot weekend.

Can’t quite find what you’re looking for? Tui and British Airways Holidays are my other go-to companies for city-break ideas and deals. As well as all the European gems, both offer long-haul mini-break packages of flights plus hotels in the likes of New York and Dubai.

I’m also a fan of BA’s online travel guides and tips from local experts. That’s where I learned about events such as the annual Hot Dog Eating Contest on New York’s Coney Island. It began in the 1950s, now takes place in front of around 35,000 fans each July – and sounds like the ultimate ‘only in America’ holiday experience.

HOLIDAY ICONS

Route 66 is another American icon we’ll happily fly halfway round the world to see. So I’m thrilled that on page 16 we’ve found a stress-free way to replicate the Great American road trip.

Travelling across America or Canada by train is rarely fast (my own coastto-coast adventures seemed to take forever). But it’s hypnotic, relaxing and oddly addictive. And climbing aboard a classic locomotive such as the Rocky Mountaineer or California Zephyr feels like a travel dream come true – especially when you’re on a small-group holiday with a tour manager looking after all the tickets and timings.

ATTRACTIVE

Having someone do all the hard work of organising a holiday certainly makes life seem a little easier. That’s why the holidays put together by firms including Travelbag, on pages 4-5, and Titan Travel, on pages 10-11, are so attractive. Travelbag’s hotel and resort recommendations in Mexico and Bali are the ones that tempt me the most, while I can’t stop thinking about finally seeing Yellowstone National Park (and seven other natural wonders) with Titan Tours.

If you feel like a relaxed and romantic break, then Sandals doesn’t disappoint. My challenge when reading pages 6 & 7 is to pick your favourite from its 17 resorts – the dolphins, Dutch bikes and scuba diving on Curaçao get my vote.

And if other far-flung adventures appeal, then should Buenos Aires be your next big trip? We showcase the city on page 9, and I defy anyone not to be tempted by the sights and sounds described.

From elegant avenues to street tango displays and super-sized steaks to celebrity graves, there are surprises across the city. And it’s good to know that rock-bottom prices mean you may end up spending less in the ‘Paris of the South’ than you would in the real thing.

OLD FAVOURITES

Closer to home, travel agents say Greece and Turkey will be two of the summer’s most popular destinations – and they have not yet sold out. Extra flights are still being arranged to meet demand (thank you Jet2, Pegasus and others), while villas with Oliver’s Travels, Vintage Travel, Tui and others are worth considering if you want a more private holiday with your family.

In this issue of Check In we’ve got inspiration if you’re heading to the Greek island of Kefalonia, where Myrtos Beach and the Melissani Cave are among the most eye-catching attractions (see page 15). On page 8, we’ve also got the low-down on great day-trip options from the main resorts on the Turkish Riviera – another holiday hotspot, where prices are going up, but remain far below the heights seen elsewhere.

So, whether it’s a long weekend or a long-awaited family break, I hope our ideas help you find your perfect holiday desination. Happy travelling!

Enjoy sightseeing and sandy beaches on the same long, hot weekend