Holidays you can book now |
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If you read last Monday's Great Escapes, you might remember that I recommended nipping over to the continent before 10 November when the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is due to go live.
Now that EES has been delayed again, you won't have to worry for a while longer about queues for fingerprinting and passport scanning at the border, meaning late autumn European breaks should be largely fuss-free.
That, combined with some pretty wet and dismal weather in the UK, could be behind a spike in last-minute bookings to Mallorca. A Palma-based accommodation marketplace has experienced an increase of 27 per cent in the past week, compared to the same period last year, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
The temperature today in Palma is an appealing 29°C and is looking like it'll be similar weather over the next 10 days.
You could soak up the autumn sun from Hotel Finca Ca N'ai in Sóller. Owned by the same family for centuries, this was Mallorca's first rural hotel. Its 29 rooms – with mountain views – have been updated and start at €277 in the last week of October. |
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Kusadasi waterfront and Güvercinada island (Photo: Getty) |
The mercury is also looking good in south-eastern Europe, with parts of Greece, Cyprus and Turkey experiencing highs of 26°C this week. |
Where: Kusadasi, Izmir, Turkey. |
Why: Temperatures will be in the low to mid-20°Cs on this corner of the Turkish coast early next week, when resorts are likely to be relatively quiet, even for October half-term. |
Price: Tui is offering an early half-term week in two twin rooms at the beachfront Ephesia Hotel in Kusadasi for £630pp all-inclusive, with flights from Gatwick and all-inclusive accommodation.
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One of the newly-refurbished classic rooms (Photo: Mallory Court) |
The Eden Hotel Collection, which includes independent properties in Stratford-upon-Avon and Dartmoor National Park, was recently named Small Hotel Group of the Year at the AA Hospitality Awards 2024-25. |
Where: Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. |
Why: Mallory Court Country House Hotel and Spa – part of the Eden Collection – has just finished a £1.5m refurbishment of its bedrooms. With its Art Deco-influenced design, as well as the spa, landscaped gardens, fine dining restaurant and open-fire warmed sitting rooms, Mallory Court is an ideal autumn bolthole. |
When: Rooms are available this weekend. |
Price: Double rooms from £275 B&B this Friday night, or £419 including dinner for two. |
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The Nile and the temples at Abu Simbel (Photo: Getty) |
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Another delayed project is the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is expected to partially open – 11 years late – on Wednesday.
You may prefer to delay your own visit until the glories of Tutankhamun are fully installed at this epic cultural institution, or to take a more laid-back approach on a cruise along the Nile, taking in the country's unique antiquities as you glide past.
Viking has just taken delivery of its newest ship for the river, Viking Sobek, which will take up to 82 passengers on a 12-day Pharoahs and Pyramids itinerary from Cairo to Luxor (by plane) and then along the Nile to Aswan, with Egyptologists to help enrich the experience on board. Cruises cost from £6,945pp including flights, one excursion per port of call, entry to Unesco sites, full board with drinks and port taxes and onboard gratuities.
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Thanks for reading this week’s Great Escapes newsletter. We’ll be back next Monday with more ideas to tempt you away. Please let us know what you think, particularly if you do decide to book one of the trips. (We'd love to hear how it went.) Email asktravel@inews.co.uk
or tweet @sophielamtravel
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