FOR quieter destinations and cheaper prices, a late summer holiday – when kids have gone back to school – is ideal.
And now is the perfect time to book one, whether you want to relax on a beach, sail the ocean, tour wineries or experience some Disney magic.
Live it up on a Rhodes trip Credit: Getty
For quieter destinations and cheaper prices, a late summer holiday is ideal Credit: AFP
Trisha Harbord selects ten top trips to enjoy in the UK or abroad, with or without the little ones . . .
NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISING
Kick back and relax on a Norwegian cruise Credit: Getty
SAY goodbye to chores and ride the waves aboard P&O Cruises’ Britannia.
The round-trip from Southampton to the Norwegian Fjords, stops at Haugesund, Olden, Alesund and Stavanger, and takes in the Viking region, breathtaking glaciers, lush forests and stunning lakes.
In Olden, try the Loen Skylift, one of the steepest in the world, for an amazing view.
Britannia is an entertainment centre, with comedy, musical shows, bars, speciality restaurants, sports, a cookery club, kids’ clubs, play areas and a night nursery.
GO: Seven nights’ full-board from £785pp departing Southampton on September 11. See iglucruise.com .
BULGARIAN BLACK SEA ACTION
This Bulgarian resort is all action Credit: supplied
IF you like an active holiday, is for you.
Along Sunny Beach, there are watersports galore, catamaran cruises, a theme park, Jeep safaris and biking.
The nearby Tui Blue Nevis hotel offers a multi-sports court for tennis, football and volleyball, pool games, guided walks, arts and crafts, and cooking classes.
Evening entertainment includes singers, acrobats, outdoor cinema and silent disco.
Don’t miss the ancient city of , a Unesco World Heritage site.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive from £579pp including Manchester flights on September 10. See tui.co.uk .
LUXURY GREEK ODYSSEY
WHAT could be more enticing than fabulous food and cool cocktails in a gorgeous boutique hotel?
The 3* adults-only Nathalie Hotel in , is small and friendly with rooms that sleep up to four guests.
Or push the boat out and book a Jacuzzi room and Rooftop suite with views over the ocean and spectacular sunsets.
Ixia has a buzzing nightlife, with bars, tavernas and cafes, and is a surfer’s paradise.
Take a bus or taxi to explore the cobbled streets of Rhodes old town.
GO: Seven nights’ B&B from £579pp including flights from Stansted on September 27. See jet2holidays.com .
AND RELAX… WITH THE BELFRY BREAK
The Belfry has pools, sauna, steam rooms, A Fire & Ice Experience and aroma caves Credit: supplied
TREAT yourself to a relaxing break at one of the UK’s finest country resorts – The Belfry, set in 550 acres of countryside.
The spa has pools, sauna, steam rooms, A Fire & Ice Experience and aroma caves.
The resort has three golf courses, a driving range, restaurants and a cinema room.
A highlight this summer has been surfing simulator WaveSurfer, which will run at weekends during September.
GO: The Pamper or Putt offer is from £259 a night, including dinner, overnight stay, breakfast and your choice of a round of golf on The Derby or a 25-minute spa treatment.
Family two-night B&B weekend offer from £404. thebelfry.com .
LIFE’S A BEACH ON TURKEY’S RIVIERA
Soak up the sun at the stunning beaches of Turkey’s riviera Credit: Getty
THE sun shines 300 days a year on the stunning beaches of .
And the Prime Beach Hotel, in popular Marmaris, has its own private beach.
The 5* resort also offers an aqua park, pools, restaurants and snack bars.
Adults will love the wellness and spa centre, featuring a traditional hammam.
If you can travel for up to three hours, take a day trip to the thermal pools of , both .
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive from £757pp including flights from Luton on September 30. Price includes a free child’s place. See easyjet.com.
BEAT THE QUEUES AT DISNEYLAND PARIS
Disneyland Paris is always an option Credit: Disneyland Paris
SEPTEMBER is a fantastic time of year to visit , especially if you avoid the weekend for shorter queues.
This year is a big one for the attraction.
The new World Of Frozen has opened in Adventure World, along with Cascade Of Lights, a fireworks, water and drone spectacular.
New for summer are Princess Cavalcade Mickey And The Magician show. Grown-ups will love thrill rides, such as The Twilight Zone: Tower Of Terror and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force.
GO: Two nights’ room-only at the Hotel Santa Fe and three-day park tickets from £831pp, for arrival on September 28. See disneylandparis.com .
CATCH A SEAFOOD FEAST IN DEVON
Riviera Bay Coastal Retreat in Brixham has lodges, caravans and chalets Credit: guy harrop
DIVE down to for two-week festival England’s Seafood Feast, which showcases the county’s culinary qualities and begins on September 21.
Restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels across , and create exclusive tasting experiences, including seven courses over seven hours in seven restaurants by seven local chefs, with seven award-winning drinks.
Riviera Bay Coastal Retreat in Brixham has lodges, caravans and chalets.
GO: Three nights’ self-catering in a two-bedroom lodge is from £369. See landscovecoastalretreats.co.uk and englishriviera.co.uk .
ESSEX HAS A TOUCH OF GLASS
Visit some of Essex’s vineyards Credit: supplied
WINE tourism in is booming and the county is now home to 58 vineyards.
Treat yourself to a luxurious stay in the beautiful grounds of Bardfield Vineyard near Braintree and you won’t need to book a taxi home after tasting their rosé, Bacchus or sparkling brut wines.
A tasting tour with ploughman’s lunch costs £40 per person.
Bed down in a rustic cart lodge, with two double en-suite bedrooms and kitchen.
Head to Saffron Grange for sparkling wines, or try the award-winning Tuffon Hall vineyard.
Both tours cost £25 per head.
GO: A cart lodge at Bardfield from £140 a night. See visitessex.com .
YORKSHIRE GOES BARKING MAD
Chef James Martin will join pooch lovers at DogFest On The Farm at Harewood House, Yorkshire, on September 12-13 Credit: instagram/dog_fest
CHEF James Martin will join pooch lovers at DogFest On The Farm at Harewood House, , on September 12-13.
James, who says his cocker spaniel Cooper is his best mate, will be giving cooking demos and dog nutrition advice.
Your four-legged friends can play in the giant ball pit and splash around at a pool party.
Trainers are on hand and there are sheepdog trials and breed meet-ups.
Tickets from £24.50. See dogfest.co.uk .
A perfect base for the festival is the Old Barn, near .
GO: Three nights’ self-catering is from £525 for arrival on September 12. See caninecottages.co.uk .
TRY WALES FOR WALKING
Rambling in Wales is always a treat Credit: Getty
WALKING tour company Ramble Worldwide is 80 years old this year.
It offers guided holidays in the UK and abroad for all levels of fitness, including along the beautiful Ceredigion and coasts.
Ramblers who choose will find clifftop paths, coves and fishing villages, with the chance to see seals, dolphins and porpoises, and .
Groups of ten to 12 are based at the 3* Gwbert Hotel, on the River Teifi, for walks of around ten miles a day.
GO: Five nights’ half board from £699pp for arrival on September 28. See rambleworldwide.co.uk .
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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