It’s spring, but not quite as we know it. If you’re pining for a few days of proper warmth, have a look at some of these holiday ideas. For skiers, it’s also the time for a last blast of snow in the mountains.
If you want to get ahead on your summer holidays and plan to go away in July, these ideas might inspire you.
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Morzine, France
Snow is still smothering the Alps, and you can take advantage of the longer days with a ski holiday in Chalet Charlie in Morzine in the vast Portes du Soleil area. Sleeping 12, the smartly furnished chalet is close to the Pleney ski lifts and has a hot tub on the sun deck. Alpine Elements has a week’s catered holiday for a family of four from £2,100, departing 7 April. The price includes flights, transfers, breakfast, afternoon tea and five dinners with wine. There’s also a deal with lift passes, offering a free child’s pass when you buy an adult one.
Cornwall, UK
Get away for the Easter holiday, preferably in the depths of the Cornish countryside. Holiday Cottages has four nights’ availability at Sowanna Farm Cottage near Mullion Cove in the Lizard peninsula. The two-bedroom cottage is in the wing of a stone farmhouse surrounded by farmland, and there’s also a games room if the weather turns foul. Four nights from 18 April cost £401.
Fethiye, Turkey
With spring flowers smothering the Turkish countryside in colour and fragrance, April is an appealing time for a laid-back holiday exploring the peaceful landscapes south of the port of Fethiye. Hole up in the hamlet of Faralya near Butterfly Valley, where Cachet Travel has availability in the delightful Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotels. A week’s half-board costs from £882pp, departing 23 April, and includes flights and transfers.
Koh Samui, Thailand
It’s the dry season in Koh Samui in April, with temperatures comfortably in the mid-20s. On the island’s quieter north coast is the zen-like Zazen Boutique Resort, whose tropical gardens lead straight to a white sandy beach. Tropical Sky has a week’s B&B at this chic, chilled-out hotel from £1,069pp, including flights and transfers, departing 29 April.
Book now for July
Italy
Move quickly to snap up Chiesa Amaro, a former church that’s been converted into a stylish villa deep in the countryside of Le Marche. The exquisite town of Urbino is less than an hour’s drive, and Adriatic beaches are roughly the same distance. Oliver’s Travels has a week’s rental in this attractive two-bedroom villa, which includes a pool, barbecue and sublime views, for £1,295 from 6 July.
Austria
While the Mediterranean resorts swelter in the summer heat, escape to the freshness of the Austrian Alps. Better still, do it on two wheels as you get to know the lake region of Salzkammergut. Headwater offers a self-guided cycling tour that’s a relatively gentle way of exploring lakes and rivers including Mondsee and River Ischl. Six nights throughout July cost from £1,159pp, including B&B accommodation in four-star hotels, four dinners, transfers, bikes, GPS and luggage transfers. Flights are extra but can be arranged.
Norway
Be mesmerised by the midnight sun as you take one of the most spectacular railway journeys in Europe. Nordic Experience has a four-night Across the Roof of Norway holiday that starts in Oslo before taking you on the Bergensbanen 12-hour train to Bergen alongside magnificent fjords. The starting price of £995pp includes flights, transfers, breakfast and dinners, for departures throughout July.
Mary Novakovich is editor at large at 101holidays.co.uk
