The best holidays to book right now
Ace the family holiday with sun, sea and something for everyone
Trying to plan a holiday with the kids that doesn't wear you out? Barut Hotels, situated across Turkiye, might just be the answer. Found in sunny spots like Antalya, Side and Didim, these family-friendly resorts are thoughtfully designed to balance grown-up relaxation with serious fun for children. Expect special entertainment programmes, hands-on workshops and professional animation teams to keep young guests happy — when they're not splashing in the pool or playing safely in the supervised playgrounds, that is. Meanwhile, adults can unwind in the spa, take a dip or enjoy sports and activities at their own pace. Dining is a delight, too, with fresh, locally sourced Mediterranean menus and plenty of child-friendly choices. From quality time to quiet moments, Barut Hotels helps you holiday as a family — and actually enjoy it.
Make summer sparkle with a city break to Vienna
Vienna always stands for pure elegance. But this summer, it's also adding a little fizz. The Sans Souci Wien, a design-forward boutique hotel in the heart of the city, invites you to rediscover the pleasures of urban travel with its Sparkling Moments package. Unwind in the 20-metre sports pool, browse the in-house art gallery or explore the boutiques and boulevards of Austria's stylish capital. The highlight? A private champagne tasting, curated to bring a touch of extra luxury to your stay. Whether you're escaping for a romantic weekend or celebrating something special, this is a city break with sparkle — tailored entirely to your own rhythm. Book now and let Vienna's charm (and bubbles) work their magic.
On the sunkissed coastline of northwestern Crete, Atlantica Ocean Beach Resort is a laid-back haven where salt air and simple pleasures set the pace. Overlooking the calm blue of Maleme Beach, this family-friendly retreat pairs modern comforts with space to roam — think lush gardens, a sparkling water park and that endlessly inviting stretch of sand. Spend your mornings wandering along the shore, your afternoons by the pool and your evenings exploring the nearby towns of Platanias and Chania, both known for their timeless tavernas and charming local character. Whether you're travelling with friends or family, the rhythm here is relaxed, the views spectacular and the memories made to last.
Dine like a statesman in the heart of the Cotswolds
The Killingworth Castle is a handsome 17th-century inn with standout food credentials – 3 AA Rosettes, Michelin Guide recommended – and oodles of rustic character. Winston Churchill was once a regular here, not least because it's just a stone's throw from stately Blenheim Palace. Tucked into the Oxfordshire village of Wootton, it's recently been named one of Condé Nast Traveller's Best Cotswolds Restaurants for 2025. Expect quality modern British fare, a proper pint and eight cosy, rural-chic bedrooms. It's also a great base for exploring the honey-coloured cottages of the Cotswolds, with local itineraries highlighted on the pub's website. Book the Stay & Dine package for 20% off a two-night break, including breakfast and £75 per person to spend on the seasonal set menu. Use code KILLINGWORTH. Offer ends 4 December 2025.
See another side of the Isle of Wight
From ravishing beaches to epic cliff-hugging pathways, the Isle of Wight promises a summer escape with serious soul to spare. Sail across the Solent to swap your everyday grind for panoramic coastal hikes, artisan food and a rhythm that invites you to slow down and explore. Stroll the shores at Compton Bay, sample small-batch gins and creamy island cheeses or dive into history at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and Queen Victoria's island pad, Osborne. With boutique hotels, seaside cottages and clifftop campsites to choose from, you can tailor your stay to suit your style. So, whether you're craving salty air, fresh flavours or family-friendly adventure, this little island delivers in spades.
Indulge in all-inclusive ease at a tropical paradise
Craving a sunshine escape that delivers on the daydream? With a trio of award-winning resorts across Cancún and Jamaica, Moon Palace serves up seamless, sunkissed luxury for every generation. Whether you're drifting between spa rituals and tranquil pools in Cancún or dining beachside in Ocho Rios, your every whim is catered for. Expect thoughtful extras — from family suites and world-class kids' clubs to wellness, golf and gourmet dining — all bundled into one transparent, upfront price. It's uncompromising high-spec comfort without the hassle. And with perks like 'Kids & Teens Stay Free' you can get up to 30% on early bookings, your dream holiday is nearer than you might think. Offer valid until 30 June 2025.
Let Scandinavia stir your soul
From long summer days to the glow of Arctic winter skies, Scandinavia always casts a spell. Great Rail Journeys brings this region to life through expertly curated tours that blend unforgettable experiences with seamless travel. Its 'Norway, Lofoten & Arctic Cruise' itinerary begins in Oslo and Bergen, before setting sail along Norway's majestic coastline, through fjords and fishing villages into the Arctic Circle. Prefer wintry magic? The 'Northern Lights Winter Arctic Cruise' pairs a journey on the Bergen Railway with aurora-hunting from ship and shore. Or opt for the 'Ultimate Norway, Sweden and the Arctic Circle' rail tour — a celebration of Scandi cities, landscapes and heritage. Book before 31 July 2025 to enjoy half-price cabin upgrades on 2026 bookings.
Make seamless travel plans with tech that keeps you in control
Flight delayed? Schedule changed? When travel plans shift on a dime, drvn exists to ensure your ground game stays sharp. Designed for travel managers, event planners and executive teams who demand flawless execution every time, this global platform coordinates private transportation at scale, with real-time ride tracking, custom integrations and white label booking tools tailored to your exact needs. Whether it's black car pickups for an international conference or discreet SUV arrivals for top-tier clients, drvn connects you to a vetted network of commercial chauffeurs worldwide. Every detail is managed, and every mile carefully accounted for. This isn't just black car service, it's large-scale ground transportation management.
When your soul craves stillness, snow and a sky full of stars, head for Jøkelfjord in Northern Norway. Isbreen The Glacier is an off-grid Arctic hideaway where five geodesic-domed igloos offer front-row views of Øksfjordjøkelen glacier and the fjord below. Inside, you'll find wood-burning stoves, private whirlpools and a sense of silence that's anything but empty. Meals feature local ingredients like reindeer and cloudberries, and days unfold between dog sledding, kayaking or whale swims. At night, if the conditions are right, the Northern Lights perform while you stay cosy in bed. The largest dome — a whopper at 1,500sq ft — turns remoteness into proper indulgence. Book now with code OFFER2025 to get your fourth night free (this year or next), a complimentary forest sauna experience and potential igloo upgrade, subject to availability. Cool!
Make family travel effortless with expert help and five-star childcare
Travelling with kids needn't be stressful. And with a little help from Scott Dunn's Explorers Kids' Clubs, it can be seamless — and surprisingly relaxing for parents, too. Available at five luxurious Mediterranean resorts, from Costa Navarino and Eagles Resort in Greece to Pine Cliffs in Portugal, each club offers a carefully curated blend of fun and learning for children aged four months to 11 years. Think nature walks, cookery classes, splash time and new friendships. Meanwhile, you'll have time for a proper lunch, a grown-up swim or even a spa treatment, knowing your precious little ones are in expert hands. From cots and car seats to restaurant bookings and Stargazers evening sessions, Scott Dunn handles every detail with style. It all begins with one call.
Raise a glass to Brussels' best beer experience and rooftop
Belgium's beer culture is world-renowned — and there's no better way to explore it than at the Belgian Beer World experience, an immersive journey housed in the historic La Bourse (the former stock exchange) building in central Brussels. Wander through centuries of fascinating heritage, discover the country's signature styles and finish the tour off with a well-earned tasting on the panoramic rooftop terrace. This special €34.50 (£29) ticket includes a tour followed by a tasting of three expertly selected Belgian beers — dark, blond and fruity — unlike the regular ticket, which only includes one tasting. You'll also be served artisanal cheese and the local spicy sausage. Whether you're a beer aficionado or just interested in getting a taste of the country's culture, this is an unmissable flavour tour with one of the city's best views thrown in. Come thirsty, leave cheerful.
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The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Molly-Mae shares first look at £2k a night luxury holiday after moaning about boring summer
MOLLY-MAE has shared a first look at her £2k a night luxury holiday after moaning about having a boring summer. The former Love Islander faced a barrage of criticism from followers last month after declaring she hadn't done "one fun thing" so far this summer. 7 7 7 This is despite the fact she has been on no expense spared getaways to Dubai, Disneyland Paris and Budapest this year. Now Molly-Mae can add Turkey to her 2025 holiday list, after jetting off with partner Tommy Fury and their daughter Bambi, two. They are staying at the luxury 5-star Regnum The Crown Hotel, which has been "carefully curated to deliver a true family holiday without compromise" according to its promotional information. Taking to Instagram, the 26-year-old shared snaps of them enjoying the hotel's newly unveiled water park, Aqualantis. While Molly-Mae had failed to crack a smile when the family jetted off on the trip, she beamed as she got to the bottom of one slide with Bambi, who looked cute in a pink swimsuit and matching hat to protect her from the sun. Meanwhile her famous mum wore a black bikini and sunglasses as they went on various slides. The star also shared a cute snap of Bambi in bed with Tommy, 26, and captioned it: "Nappy is taken off at any opportunity currently." Another picture saw Bambi on top of Tommy on a sunlounger, with the boxer screwing up his face while his daughter clutched her blanket and soft toy. Molly-Mae captioned it: "My favourite view". The happy trip is in stark contrast to her comments about not having a social life. Molly-Mae sobs as she admits Bambi's 'terrible twos' are breaking her & says 'I don't care who tells me I'm out of touch with reality' She said: "I said to a friend the other day, that I'm going to make it to the end of summer having not done one fun thing." Speaking to her sister, she said: "Zoe, I haven't socialised once. I'm going to get to the end of this summer having not done one social fun thing. "I haven't a life. That's not good is it. Summer will end and I've not done one fun social thing." But her followers were quick to hit out at the star for taking her luxury lifestyle for advantage. Molly-Mae Hague - Five Ways She Spends Her Wealth MOLLY-MAE Hague has raked in a whopping £48K a week. Yet what five things has the mum of one spent out on? A stunning home: Molly-Mae is the proud owner of her stunning Molly Maison home, a £ mansion in Cheshire. Hot wheels: Molly-Mae oozes cool mum vibes as she travels around town in her £193K Mercedes G Wagon - with her man Tommy also having a matching motor. Bottega beauty: Molly-Mae stumped up £6K for the stylish designer accessory back in January. Jetting off: Last year, the influencer splashed out on a private jet for her best mate Tayla-Blue's birthday Price escape: In 2024, she also used a private jet to fly to Ibiza for a solo wellness trip at a £120k-a-week resort. One wrote: "I like Molly but she does complain." A second posted: " Wimbledon, lunches, Spain, Dubai, France, Centre Parcs... let's normalise that." Someone else commented: "This was so jarring because she can casually spend 6k in Dior on an outfit to log to Wimbledon then complains she has no time for herself. "'No life', when she has a better life than 99.9 per cent of girls/mums her age," a fourth said. 7 7 7
Times
2 days ago
- Times
And so to Vienna, the last waltz on my epic Grand Tour
I'm not sure why the British ambassador to Austria agreed to meet me. I hadn't even sent a letter of introduction from a reputable sponsor, as Grand Tourists once did, begging diplomats for an audience in the cities they visited. 'A young man with limited German,' mine would have read. 'In fact, a limited young man — but desirous of learning statecraft.' Instead I sent an email. Yet here I am, in the embassy on Jauresgasse in Vienna, being shown around by Lindsay Skoll, also the UK's permanent representative to the UN. I'm doing my best to put my company at ease, as instructed by Thomas Ka, the etiquette expert I had met in Paris. I seem to have succeeded: Skoll is talking for Britain. 'What you want as an ambassador is the ability to convene,' she says, leading me into a grand dining room where she hosts dignitaries. The walls are hung with portraits of her predecessors: solemn, patrician men. I wonder what they'd have made of Skoll — ebullient, humble and a bit of a mischief-maker. 'As fun, you always seat the French ambassador here,' she says, gesturing to a chair opposite a painting of Wellington at Waterloo. 'And you wait until they notice. We always have a laugh.' Talk turns to Vienna's ball season, which peaks in winter and includes a diplomatic ball for waltzing and networking. 'It isn't just some elitist thing,' Skoll says. 'It looks delightfully whimsical and old-school but still holds real currency today.' I ask if I can come. To my surprise she says yes. Before my tour I'd never have dared; aristocratic living breeds dangerous levels of confidence. Now the end has begun. I had arrived from Venice by train the day before. Past Verona, with its church domes and bell towers, the Adige River joined us, a constant companion into the foothills of the Alps. The hills grew steeper, cultivated with vines, their cordons lifted like pleading arms to the sun. Then came Alpine meadows, gossamer waterfalls and the Brenner Pass — once one of the few land routes out of Italy, where porters hauled Grand Tourists in sedan chairs. I took it all in from my first-class cabin. By now I was convinced that rail is the best way to travel through Europe; but the network of railway lines that made my trip possible also doomed the Grand Tour by opening up the Continent. Besieged by the masses, aristocrats retreated into the fortress of the Alps. Their last stand still echoes in the brays of après-skiers. After my ten-hour journey, the first thing I did in Vienna was see a man about a horse. That man, in tweed and a bowler hat, met me outside my hotel: the Sacher, a grande dame as decadent as the sachertorte cake invented by one of the Sacher family. He ushered me into a carriage, or fiaker, with a bottle of grüner veltliner chilling in a bucket on a table (£200 for 40 minutes, for up to four people; We trotted through the city, horns blaring behind us, across the Hofburg imperial gardens, en route to the Golden Hall of the Musikverein — Vienna's most prestigious concert venue — for an evening of Mozart. I disembarked and collected my ticket: a supérieur seat in the front row, so the music would reach me sooner than the masses (from £60pp; 'I'm glad someone else dressed up,' said William Felton, 62 — a dashing Wisconsinite in a tailcoat — nodding at my bow tie as I sat down. But we were both shown up when the orchestra appeared in baroque costume and powdered wigs. After a hush the music began, enriched by the hall's renowned acoustics. I drifted into a state of reflection on my tour. It is one thing to do the original Grand Tour; a modern Grand Tourist, though, explores not just stone relics but the ruins of a mindset. From the 17th century, posh youths ventured overseas, eager to prove their superiority to a Britain that still indulged the idea. Yet even in the Tour's earliest days, a moral revolution was beginning to grip Europe. • Read our full guide to Vienna The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche argued that aristocratic values were quietly recast by the disenfranchised. Nobility became arrogance, pride became vanity, and humility and equality were elevated to virtues. In England Puritans sneered at peacocking Cavaliers; in France revolutionaries gave nobles a free trim. The modern western mindset was gradually born, and it's why the prancing of Grand Tourists strikes us as ridiculous. As the final piece, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, played, my welling eyes were dams about to burst. I was still humming it the following day when I met the dance tutor Aga Bohun for a lesson in the Viennese waltz. Only late Grand Tourists performed the dance, Bohun explained; it didn't enter polite society until the Congress of Vienna in 1814 (from £41pp for a 50‑minute workshop; Its debut caused a minor scandal, and I could see why. Bohun drew my body perilously close and placed my right hand on her waist. Then she eased me into those famous orbital steps, telling me to move with force towards her, which promised a head-on collision until, at the last second, she slipped gracefully away. Then came the handover. 'You lead and I follow,' she said, as we rehearsed in silence ahead of our finale: The Blue Danube, by the Viennese maestro Strauss, at a proper ballroom pace. Gaining in confidence, I managed a few half-turns at speed before swirling into an elegant exit step. 'Well done!' Bohun said afterwards, pressing play on her stereo. As Strauss filled the room, she explained one last tradition. 'At a ball you must ask the lady to dance,' she explained. 'Offer your right hand and then ask, 'Darf ich bitten?' It means, 'May I have this dance?' And then you perform a hand-kiss.' Bohun fell silent, as if to demonstrate the waltz's commanding principle: the man must take control. Suddenly panic gripped me. But there was someone in the room to help: the amused spirit of Thomas Ka. 'You must kiss but not kiss, touch but not touch,' he said, wagging his finger. I took a deep breath. 'Darf ich bitten?' I asked Bohun, extending my arm, finding her hand. I bowed my head. I had been outfenced in Paris, blistered in the Alps, wine-soaked in Rome and bled dry in Venice. But when I rose, here in Vienna, I like to think I rose as something resembling a Ling was a guest of Byway, which has ten nights' B&B from £2,630pp, including rail travel from the UK ( and Hotel Sacher Vienna, which has room-only doubles from £509 ( • Part one: the most unusual way to see Paris• Part two: the off-piste way to see the Alps• Part three: a novel way to see Rome and an eye-opening art class• Part four: the beautiful spot on my Grand Tour that left me speechless
Times
2 days ago
- Times
The Med ‘Isle of Beauty' where a week costs under £500 this summer
Nicknamed the Isle of Beauty, Corsica's dramatic cliffs, hilltop villages and more than 600 miles of coastline attract well-heeled French families, luxury-loving couples and glamorous yachties. Yet this French island southeast of the Côte d'Azur is relatively overlooked by British visitors who, deterred by sky-high summer prices, miss out on the island's turquoise coves, historic citadels and mountains crisscrossed by hiking trails. However, go at the very end of August and those with late-start school terms can grab a great deal on a family holiday. Seven nights' room only at Le Bella Vista, Hôtel Suites & Maisons costs £478pp for four with Thomas Cook, including Gatwick flights with easyJet departing on August 28 — that's less than half the price of the same package leaving four days earlier. Allowance for a small under-seat bag is included, or check in a 15kg case for an additional £98 return. Breakfast for the week can be added for £60pp. The hotel is a two-hour drive north of Figari airport, though taxis are expensive, so you're better off renting a car for the week for about £288 ( The three-star hotel is a short drive from the seafront resort of Porticcio, on the west coast of the island, overlooking the Bay of Ajaccio. The simply decorated duplex apartments sleeping four have sea views, all-white kitchens, a sofa bed for the kids, a mezzanine level with a double bed, and whitewashed exposed beams. There is a seasonal outdoor pool with a café, a bistro serving French-Asian fusion dishes and a fine-dining restaurant, Le Charlie, which earned a Michelin star this year, six months after opening (five courses for £82; Porticcio beach, a ten-minute walk away, is sandy and has ice-cream parlours, cafés and plenty of water sports, including guided kayaking tours of the Corsican coastline (£38; Jet Sensations offers jet ski rental (£43 for 15 minutes) or quad bikes for exploring inland (£82 for an hour; From the beach it's easy to jump on one of the regular 20-minute ferries to Ajaccio, the island capital (£7 return; The city is best known for being the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and has a museum in his former family home (£6; After visiting it wander Ajaccio's smart, pastel-coloured waterfront, upmarket boutiques and picturesque old town with its lavish 16th-century cathedral, where Napoleon was baptised. For a more active day out try Mare e Monti Sud, a 50-mile hiking trail with panoramic sea views that begins near the hotel. Continue south to visit the red-roofed hilltop town of Sartène, which was attacked by pirates in the 16th century and is home to the Corsican Archaeology Museum, tracing the island's history to the Bronze Age (£3; Call in at the Domaine Fiumicicoli estate on the way back to stock up on fruity AOC-designated red wine made with nielluccio and sciaccarello grapes ( • 26 of the best things to do in Corsica • Return Gatwick-Figari flights, departing on August 28• Under-seat baggage allowance• Seven nights' room only at Bella Vista, Hôtel Suites & Maisons ( This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Feeling flush? If you're inspired to visit Corsica and have more to spend, try one of these… The three-star Golfe Hôtel is on the outskirts of Porto-Vecchio, a historic town on the southeastern coast of Corsica with a 16th-century citadel, trendy marina and beautiful beaches. The quiet hotel is in a Mediterranean villa with a palm-tree-lined outdoor pool, a small fitness room with infrared sauna and a library stocked with board games. A café serves simple dishes and ice cream. Comfortable rooms are decorated in shades of chocolate brown, caramel and pops of ocean blue, and all have sleek wooden floors, contemporary furniture and views of the city or gardens. Details Seven nights' B&B from £1,113pp, including flights and private transfers, departing on August 28 ( • 14 of the best hotels in Corsica The four-star Corsican bolt hole L'A Cheda is tucked away in organic gardens and has 18 rooms in traditional stone buildings. Each is decorated using natural wood and traditional limestone plaster, and has a wooden deck overlooking the greenery. There is a heated outdoor pool with a Finnish sauna, a wellness centre for massages and a bar serving cocktails made with local ingredients. The hotel's acclaimed glass-walled restaurant serves fine-dining Corsican cuisine and hosts jazz brunches, tapas and music evenings and cooking classes. A free shuttle bus runs twice daily to nearby Bonifacio, with its walled citadel, restaurants and lively Seven nights' B&B from £1,965pp, including flights and car hire, departing on August 28 (
