20 of the best last-minute summer holiday deals
Seaside holidays
The following trips are for travel during the school holidays. All were available as we went to press, but are subject to change. Prices are per week, per person and including flights unless stated otherwise.
1. Zadar, Croatia: £465
Biograd na Moru near Zadar is a seaside resort with villas and apartments, an infinity pool, a private bay and a variety of sports facilities. Crvena Luka is a four-star, self-catering residence, and the price is based on four sharing an apartment that sleeps six. Excludes flights but return fares to Zadar are available from £120. Departs Luton, Manchester or Bristol, Aug 12.
Pierre & Vacances (0870 026 7145; pierreetvacances.co.uk)
2. Menorca, Spain: £535
The SunConnect Los Delfines is a family hotel (complete with kids club) in Cala’n Forcat, which offers a wide range of shops and dining options and is within walking distance from the sandy beach of Cala’n Blanes and the resort centre. The price is based on two adults and two children sharing a self-catering room. Departs Manchester, July 26.
Thomas Cook (0844 412 5970; thomascook.com)
3. Fuerteventura, Spain: £640
Playitas is a four-star health and fitness resort on the south coast of the island with options including tennis lessons, guided biking and open water swimming, as well as a free kids club and sports academy. The price is based on a family of four sharing a sea view apartment, with B&B. Departs Gatwick, Aug 19.
The Healthy Holiday Company (0208 968 0501; thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk)
4. Corfu, Greece: £704
Kalami Bay apartments are on the scenic north-eastern coast, five-minutes’ walk from the beach and village and with a large freshwater pool on site. The price is based on four sharing a one-bedroom apartment. Departs Gatwick, with options between July 24 and Aug 14.
Sunvil (020 8758 4758; sunvil.co.uk)
5. Olu Deniz, Turkey: £760
The five-star Garcia Resort & Spa is in Olu Deniz, the small resort famous for its long, sandy beach. It has a spa, sauna, two swimming pools and a fitness centre. The price is based on two adults and two children sharing a two-room suite, all-inclusive. Departs Stansted, Aug 25.
Love holidays (020 3870 6844; loveholidays.com)
6. Kefalonia, Greece: £764
The prettiest resort in Kefalonia is Fiskardo and the newly renovated Alexanna Apartments are just outside. This package comes with car hire for seven days and the price is based on two adults and a child sharing a one-bedroom apartment (child is £687). Departs Gatwick, July 29.
Ionian Island Holidays (020 8459 0777; ionianislandholidays.com)
7. Lanzarote, Spain: £764
Playa Blanca, on the south coast, is Lanzarote’s most attractive resort, and the Sensimar Natura Palace is one of Tui’s exclusive four-star hotels. The price for half-board is based on two adults sharing. Departs Gatwick, July 27.
Thomson (0871 230 2555; thomson.co.uk)
8. Paphos, Cyprus: £887
The five-star Almyra is one of the best hotels in Paphos. This offer includes airport security fast passes and executive lounge at Manchester Airport. The price is based on two adults and a child sharing a room, half-board. Departs Manchester, July 20.
Sovereign (01293 765003; sovereign.com)
9. Sardinia, Italy: £965
The four-star Hotel Flamingo, is in Santa Margherita Di Pula, a family-friendly resort on the southern tip of the island. The price is based on two sharing, full-board. Departs Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester or Bristol, July 22.
Sardatur (020 8973 2292; sardatur-holidays.co.uk)
10. Peloponnese, Greece: £1,600
The Westin Costa Navarino is a top-end resort on the lovely west coast of the Peloponnese peninsula. The price is based on two adults and two children sharing a one-bedroom premium suite, half-board and private airport transfers. Explorers children’s club costs extra. Departs Gatwick, with options between July 22 and Aug 26.
Scott Dunn (020 8682 5040; scottdunn.com)
Villas
Prices quoted (per person) are based on the number of people accommodated in the villa concerned. They will be higher if you don’t fill all the beds.
11. Tuscany, Italy: £272
Podere Osteria 6 is a semi-detached, three-bedroom, three-bathroom villa in the heart of Val d’Orcia near Pienza with a private garden and pool. The price is for accommodation only – you would need to book flights to Pisa or Florence. Available Aug 26.
To Tuscany (01212 867782; to-tuscany.com)
12. Sicily, Italy: £525
Three-bedroom Villa Nilla, sleeping six, features a large outdoor swimming pool in a peaceful rural setting close to the beach. An ideal place from which to explore Sicily’s south coast. Available July 22-29 and Aug 5-12. Flights not included.
Solo Sicily (020 7097 1413; solosicily.com)
13. Kalkan, Turkey: £813
Set above Kalkan, The Stone House (sleeps six) has sea views, a pool, a private garden and is a 20-minute drive from Patara Beach. Departs Gatwick, Aug 6.
Simpson Travel (020 8003 6557; simpsontravel.com)
14. Corsica, France: £1,086
Villa Laura is a pristine new place near Pinarello with a private pool. Sleeping eight, it is around 30 minutes from the resort of Porto-Vecchio. The price includes a hire car. Departs Heathrow, July 30.
Simpson Travel (020 8003 6557; simpsontravel.com)
15. Corfu, Greece: £1,115
San Nikolas Villa (sleeps four) has a private terrace, garden and large pool, situated just behind Barbati Beach and near Barbati village in Corfu. The price includes car hire. Departs Gatwick, July 31.
GIC The Villa Collection (020 8232 9780; gicthevillacollection.com)
Lakes and mountains
The Alps have plenty to offer in summer as well as winter, especially for active families or those who like to relax by a lake. There is so much accommodation that you will always be able to find something at the last minute.
16. Lake Garda, Italy: £619
The Bologna Hotel is a three-star option in traffic-free Bardolino on the shores of Lake Garda. The price is based on two sharing a twin or double, B&B. Departs Manchester, Aug 5.
Inghams (01483 791116; inghams.co.uk)
17. Lake Bohinj, Slovenia: £767
In the heart of Julian Alps, a few miles from Lake Bohinj, the four-star Bohinj ECO Hotel has indoor and outdoor pools, climbing walls and numerous activities available nearby. The price is for a half-board stay. Departs Gatwick, July 29.
Thomson Lakes & Mountains (020 8610 3139; thomsonlakes.co.uk)
18. Zell am See, Austria: £770
The four-star Hotel Stadt Wien in this pretty lakeside mountain town is oriented towards families in summer, and runs a kids activity programme. The price includes half-board meals. Departs Gatwick, July 22 (other regional departures also available).
Thomson Lakes & Mountains (020 8610 3139; thomsonlakes.co.uk)
19. Verbier, Switzerland: £1,100
Hickory is a recently renovated two-bedroom apartment (sleeps four) just off the Place Centrale in the heart of Verbier, in a block which includes a shared indoor swimming pool. The price includes a midweek clean by the housemaid, but not flights. Available during August.
Ski Verbier Exclusive (01608 674011; skiverbierexclusive.com)
And further afield…
We have concentrated on holidays in Europe, but there are plenty more options for those willing to fly further afield. Here’s an example:
20. Orlando, Florida: £849
The Wyndham Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort is close to all the major parks. This price is for a two-week stay based on two adults and two children sharing a standard room, and includes free tickets to either Gatorland or Boggy Creek. Departs Gatwick, Aug 23.
Ocean Florida (020 7939 7775; ocean-florida.co.uk)
