Easter’s just around the corner, but if you haven’t organised your holiday yet, fret not.
There’s still time to snag a last-minute break, with great-value deals available to book now in early to mid-April. How about keeping it domestic on a narrowboat holiday through Shropshire’s canals? Or perhaps adventure calls, on a multi-stop tour in Peru calling at Lima, the Ollantaytambo ruins and Machu Picchu?
We’ve also scoped out a five-star stay on a Greek island, a hotel with seven different pools in La Palma, self-guided walking in France and a St Ives beach house. Or you could opt to work on your handicap with a golfing holiday in Tunisia; embark on a nine-day flight-free adventure in Belgium; or stay in a rural “pod” in north-east Wales.
So get inspired; we’ve done the drudge work to find you some of the best last-minute Easter holiday deals to book this spring.
La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain
Make a start on your tan in the lushest of Spain’s Canary Islands. Fuencaliente on the southern coast of La Palma offers crowd-free beaches, a laid-back vibe and excellent hiking opportunities across volcanoes if you get tired of lying by the pool. Speaking of pools: the La Palma & Teneguía Princess Vital & Fitness has a whopping seven of them, in addition to tennis courts, a spa and a pool bar. Right now, Tui is offering seven nights, all-inclusive, based on two adults and one child sharing for just £539pp, reduced from £836pp, departing Gatwick Airport on Thursday 13 April for seven nights.
Read more: Why you should head to La Palma before its active volcano blows
Shropshire, UK
Take a staycation with a difference on a 48ft narrowboat, courtesy of Waterways Holidays. Slow things right down during a tour of the scenic Shropshire Union Canal, which stretches between Chester and Wolverhampton. With a mixture of woodland and countryside to discover, there are also plenty of pubs and villages to explore en route. Depart from Norbury in the Shropshire Hills on Friday 7 April for seven nights for £780, reduced from £1,039. The Pioneer sleeps two, has a toilet and shower onboard, central heating, a gas cooker and pets are welcome.
Rhodes, Greece
The five-star Rodos Palace is situated on the picturesque coast of Ixia, just a three minute walk from a beach popular with windsurfers. As well as an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, kids’ pool, gym, spa and evening entertainment, the hotel also has tennis courts, table tennis and a pool table if you want to challenge your companion to some healthy competition. Elsewhere, the ancient city of Ialyssos is just 4km away and a great place for budding archeologists and historians to explore. Loveholidays.com has a week at the Rodos Palace from £328pp (down from £525pp), B&B, including flights, departing 12 April from London Stansted.
Peru
Fancy an adventure? Consider this eight-day tour with Intrepid Travel which takes in Lima, the magnificent Ollantaytambo ruins, and the ultimate bucket-list destination, Machu Picchu. Adjust to the altitude with a pisco sour and some ceviche, before discovering the ancient civilisations that called this part of the world home. Travellers joining the tour on Saturday 1 April can save over £400pp on this trip, which costs from £994pp, covering accommodation (including camping with “basic facilities”), domestic flights, taxi and train, guided tours with porter support, six breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners. International flights extra.
Read more: How to see Peru’s Machu Picchu the sustainable way
France
Escape the crowds in southern France on a self-guided walking tour with Responsible Travel. This April, the company is offering a huge discount on the price, now down to €850pp (£750) for six inclusive nights, from the usual €1,450pp (£1,285). This “glorious rural paradise” is home to miles of secluded paths in “unspoiled and varying countryside”. Maps and directions for more than 10 walks are available, alongside bicycles and lifts to local beauty spots for sightseeing. Accommodation in a 17th century millhouse includes an outdoor heated pool, while the price includes “leisurely four-course evening meals”, breakfast, packed lunches, aperitifs, wine, beer, cider and soft drinks.
Cornwall, UK
Wake up to the sound of the sea in beautiful St Ives this Easter. Chalet Thiseldo is a dreamy detached beach house situated on the cliff top above St Ives bay that comfortably sleeps four. Private steps lead to the sea, while at the Gwithian & Godrevy end of the beach, you can arrange surf lessons and spot seals. Owners have a keen eye for design, so expect a stylish aesthetic and boujee touches such as underfloor heating and Bang and Olufsen tech. Available from Friday 31 March for seven nights for £1,283, reduced from £1,595, through Forever Cornwall Unique Retreats.
Read more: The best hotels in St Ives
Tunisia
Jon Rahm wannabes walk this way: the Seabel Alhambra Beach is home to a PGA-standard golf course that’s perfect for working on your handicap. Watersports on offer at the private sandy beach also include parasailing, jet skiing, snorkelling and scuba diving. Back at the hotel, you can join in with volleyball, darts and table tennis, or take a dip in one of the three pools. There’s also karaoke on an evening which, depending on your preference, might seal the deal or break it entirely. Tui is offering seven nights, all-inclusive, based on two adults sharing for £797pp, reduced from £866pp, departing Manchester Airport on Tuesday 4 April.
Belgium
Byway is an award-winning flight-free travel company that arranges bespoke trips around the UK and Europe. We love this nine-day trip to Belgium, which takes in some of the best destinations in this underrated country. Gawp at Rubens in Antwerp, stroll through parks in Leuven, drink beer in Bruges and cycle around Ghent. Departing London St Pancras International on the Eurostar on Monday 3 April, feel smug in the knowledge that you’re holidaying sustainably this Easter, with your journey becoming a central part of the adventure. Prices start from £1,392pp including all travel, accommodation, breakfast, a personalised trip guide and on-demand WhatsApp support.
Turkey
If you want to fly and flop, head to the Paloma Oceana in Antalya, a popular region with British holidaymakers that has been mercifully untouched by the country’s recent earthquakes. This five-star hotel is home to three pools, tennis courts, a spa, six restaurants, eight bars and a kids’ club. First Choice is offering seven nights, all-inclusive, for £568pp, reduced from £941pp, departing Manchester Airport on Friday 14 April. And if lazing around in the sun isn’t your bag, there are plenty of Roman and Hellenistic ruins nearby to explore.
Wales
Situated in an idyllic location near Corwen in Denbighshire, this contemporary pod is home to a twin and double room, hot tub, garden, BBQ and magical rural views. Outdoor activities to keep the kids occupied include walking, hiking, cycling, canoeing or, if you’d rather someone else take them off your hands, head to the outdoor activity centres of Betws-y-Coed and Llangollen. Meanwhile, grown-ups can hop in the car and head for the golden sands of Prestatyn for a leisurely walk. The pod is available through holidaycottages.co.uk at £793 for seven nights based on four sharing, reduced from £925, checking in on Tuesday 11 April.
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