Summer holiday inspiration: Eight of the best trips to take this year
As the weather slowly but surely starts to warm up, and the dark nights are replaced by longer, lighter evenings, we can't help but start looking forward to the summer.
And part of looking forward to the summer is dreaming of summer holidays, where we can spend long, lazy days with friends and family, relaxing in the sun, sipping on good wine, and exploring wonderful new destinations.
Of course, the ideal summer holiday looks different for everyone. Perhaps you're dreaming of a foodie adventure, like learning how to make authentic tapas in Andalucia or discovering the delicious cuisine of Positano and the Amalfi Coast. Or maybe you're after a no-fly staycation, so you can explore incredible parts of the UK during the sunniest months of the year.
To offer you some inspiration as you get your planning started, we've rounded up some of our best holidays to take this summer for you here.
Experience the Dolce Vita on the Amalfi Coast, as you travel winding cliffside roads with incredible views to explore colourful towns that adorn the sunny hills. You'll be based in the pretty village of Sant'Agata at the tip of the Sorrento Peninsula and will stay in the elegant Grand Hotel Due Golfi, where you can relax in the infinity pool and feast on traditional Italian cuisine.
6 days from £779 | Book now
Discover Seville, with its intricate architecture revealing a fascinating past alongside the modernity of the city in its buzzy tapas bars. You'll see a spellbinding Flamenco performance and enjoy the drama of Andalucia's most famous art form.
You'll explore Córdoba too, with its exquisite Mezquita, before heading to Ronda, a town perched high above a gorge. Here, you'll learn how to cook local dishes in an open-air kitchen and taste Spanish wines.
6 days from £1,142 | Book now
Join a five-day cruise over the August bank holiday weekend to see the highlights of northern Spain in style on the beautiful ship Bolette. Your first stop will be Getxo, where you'll enjoy the town's golden beaches and impressive cultural attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge.
There's time to explore Bilbao, home of the renowned Guggenheim Museum and La Coruña where you can stroll along peaceful bays, enjoying panoramic coastal views.
6 days from £695 | Book now
If you're looking for a summer staycation to remember, join us as we visit seven beautiful English gardens in Kent and Sussex, and enjoy a special talk hosted by the inspirational garden designer Sarah Raven at her garden at Perch Hill. Other gardens you'll visit on this special trip include Scotney Castle, Great Comp Garden, Lullingstone Castle, Pashley Manor, Great Dixter, and Sissinghurst, where you'll get special early entry.
4 days from £1,295 | Book now
Another fantastic summer staycation is our trip to the enchanting Cotswolds. This picture-perfect region is home to a whole host of glorious gardens, from pristine grounds surrounding stately homes to cutesy cottage gardens tucked away behind chocolate-box cottages. On this trip you'll visit Bourton House with Gardeners' World presenter Rachel de Thame, who'll share her knowledge as you wander among the elegant terraces, herbaceous borders, creatively planted flowerbeds, and exotic trees.
5 days from £1,375 | Book now
Join us for a nostalgic discovery of the wooded hills, glens and tranquil lochs of the Trossachs. Travelling on the iconic Jacobite steam train and the world's last ocean-going paddle steamer, PS Waverley, you'll take in the impressive sight of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, enjoy a unique experience on the world's first rotating boat lift, and pass over the spectacular 21-arch Glenfinnan viaduct, as seen in the Harry Potter films.
4 days from £1,095 | Book now
This is a summer holiday with a difference. You'll discover Tuscany and the Bocelli family's hometown of Lajatico with a guided tour of the Bocelli Family Vineyards nestled in the hills of Val d'Era and dinner hosted at the Bocelli family's restaurant in Lajatico, along with a seafood lunch at the family's stylish Alpemare Beach Club. The true highlight, however, will be seeing Andrea Bocelli perform in the Teatro Del Silenzio, where you'll have central seats.
5 days from £3,899 | Book now
Explore the beautiful coastline and islands of Croatia on a seven-night cruise aboard a small ship, MS Prestige. This carefully crafted itinerary takes you to some of Croatia's most sought-after destinations, including Hvar and Split and navigates through the beautiful islands of Kornati National Park. Most of the sailing is in the mornings, allowing you to watch the scenery passing as you have breakfast before spending the afternoons and evenings exploring port towns and islands.
8 days from £1,239 | Book now
