I lamented action-packed holidays staying in boutique hotels or cabins in the woods. But eventually, I got over myself and accepted the holiday for what it was; the pool was refreshing, the weather sunny and always in the high 20s to low 30s, and despite the lounger wars, you could always find one even at the busiest time of day – if not in the best spot. The food was plentiful, if not particularly inspiring, and the booze free-flowing, with the bar open until 1am every day.
The service at the hotel was slow but the independent TUI staff were fantastic – on hand to help with anything and putting on aqua fit every day, as well as other games and entertainment. It turns out I have a bit of a soft-spot for ‘organised fun’ – everyone was so relieved to simply be away, surrounded by friends or family, that the energy was contagious.
What’s more, TUI made all the testing and form-filling a breeze – a process that independent travellers still have to endure on their own. So yes, while there was no adventure and no sense of discovery included in the package, we managed to make our own. We had fun meeting new people and hired a car for a few days to get out and explore the island. For what we were looking for from a last-minute break, it did the trick. We got our hit of sun, discovered somewhere new and didn’t have a moment’s worry for the entire trip.
A seven-night holiday at TUI Blue Atlantica Bay in Limassol, Cyprus, costs from £737pp including flights from Gatwick, transfer by bus, all meals and local alcohol (020 3451 2688; tui.co.uk).
Five of the best package holidays
Are you in a similar position, desperate for a holiday at very short notice, with a desire for some sun and for everything to be very, very straightforward? Here are five last-minute all-inclusives with availability for half term.
Fun-inclusive in Majorca
The Sol Katmandu Park & Resort has taken ‘organised fun’ a step further by introducing the first ‘fun-inclusive’ offering in Majorca, Spain. The resort promises daytime activities for kids, including Kamp Katakidu (8 months to 12 years) and access to Katmandu Park water park. On the beach (0871 474 3000; onthebeach.co.uk) is offering a seven-night holiday from £518pp including flights from Luton; departs October 25
Faliraki for families in Rhodes
While you may dismiss Greece as being cold by late October, the weather does still linger in the low 20s, making it more than tolerable for little people to splash around in the sun all day. Cyprotel Faliraki offers children’s entertainment, a waterpark with slides and a splash pool, and a play area. A week here with Thomas Cook (020 8016 3295; thomascook.com) costs from £640pp including flights from Stansted; departs October 21
Babies welcome in Turkey
Britons celebrated a return to Turkey just last month, and the country offers sunny weather into November. TUI Blue Tropical is a dedicated family resort found right on the beach in Dalaman. As well as kids’ clubs, entertainment, flumes, slides and splash pools, there is also a baby pool and baby lounge – plus a Turkish bath and sauna where adults can enjoy some downtime. Seven nights with TUI (020 3451 2688; tui.co.uk) costs from £1,171pp for two adults and two children. Includes flights from Gatwick; departs October 23
Wet’n’wild in Zante
You’ll struggle to pull kids away from the water at Caretta Beach Resort & Waterpark in Zante, Greece. That is unless you can tempt them to de-prune with the bouncy castles, pedal go-karts and trampoline at the onsite Fun Park.The beach is also just five minutes away. Seven nights for a family of three costs from £975pp with Olympic Holidays (020 8492 6868; olympicholidays.com). Includes flights from Manchester; departs October 24
Go big or stay home in Maldives
Penny couldn’t get to the Maldives, but you could make it to this Indian Ocean idyll in time for the holidays. This package from Kuoni (0800 140 4812; kuoni.co.uk) includes seven nights at Kurumba Maldives in a Deluxe Bungalow and flights from Heathrow. From £10,599 for a family of four; departs October 23
Source link : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/cyprus/pandemic-forced-resort-first-ever-package-holiday/
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Publish date : 2021-10-18 03:00:00
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