Carmel ThomasonAs the world slowly begins to open up again and travel becomes viable, many of us are turning our sights to holidays once more. The intermittent lockdowns of the past 18-months have left many of us longing for a change of scenery. But what to choose? Whether you are looking for a relaxing break, an active adventure or to experience something new in 2022, here are some ideas to get you started:
Get your boots on
Social distancing has given many of us a yearning to explore the great outdoors. And there are few better ways to get closer to nature than hiking. Hiking holidays are a perfect introduction to a more active break. Whatever your level of fitness there will be a walking break suitable for you, and aside from a good pair of walking shoes or boots, you don’t need a lot of other expensive equipment to take part.
The UK has some stunning trails taking in a range of sights across urban, countryside and coastal regions.
If you are looking to add in an extra challenge, meet a new group of friends, and raise money for a good cause, you could consider a charity walk. Charities organise a range of fundraising hikes both in the UK and overseas. The walks vary in difficulty from beginners to high endurance treks at altitude, such as trekking the Inca Trail in Peru or to Everest base camp in Nepal. Be sure to do your research in advance so you know what is involved and can choose the best destination, activity level and charity for you.
Escape to a secluded beach
If your ideal holiday is to find a tranquil spot where you can relax and let your worries melt away, you can’t beat a beach holiday.
As an island the UK has plenty of beautiful coastline to tempt you. Devon and Cornwall are popular for surfers, while Whitby on the Yorkshire coastline has embraced its connection to Bram Stoker’s Dracula with a Whitby Goth Weekend festival. And if you are looking for a quieter spot Beach Check UK is a new free app that gives live updates to help you beat the crowds when heading to the coast. Users can see how busy a beach is, how many car parking spaces are available and what facilities are available nearby.
There is nothing more luxurious than renting a beach house right on the sandy shores where you are a stone throw from crystal clear waters, where you can spend your days walking along the beach, relaxing under the sun and swimming in the saltwater.
Costa Teguise is one of the less touristy spots of Lanzarote, which has a couple of lovely, small beaches with a promenade joining them, where you can enjoy a drink, book a scuba lesson and even have your feet pampered by little fish that eat away your dead skin.
If you are looking for something further afield, The Lone Star Boutique Hotel and Restaurant is one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive resorts, attracting high profile guests such as Simon Cowell and Mariah Carey. The hotel has six luxury suites, in total, making it the ideal getaway for people for whom privacy and discretion is a priority. It has mastered that elusive combination of luxury and comfort, and its location is a winner, being a stone’s throw from the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea and offering every room a stretch of private beach.
Let your worries sail away
If you want a break where everything is taken care of for you, a cruise is the holiday for you. Cruises are a fantastic way to explore many destinations at once, because you travel at night and enjoy the sights of a new place in the day. As well as the excitement of waking up to a new destination every day, there are a wide range of activities, entertainment, and choice of cuisines to enjoy on board.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), celebrated a return to the seas in Aug 2021 after suspending sailing out of the US for 17 months due to Covid-19, with new guest experiences at Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan, Alaska.
The opening of the new high speed Transporter Gondola later this year provides guests with easy access to Icy Strait Point’s first pier, Adventure Landing, where the historic salmon cannery dating back to 1912 and other local attractions are located. Once completed, the mountain top gondola will take guests to the top of Hoonah Mountain at 1,600 feet of elevation, where they can enjoy miles of new hiking trails and scenic vistas.
Whatever holiday you decide on next year, it always pays to plan ahead as far as you can. That includes booking activities as well as the trip itself. Not only will this help you budget better it also prevents disappointment if you travel a long way only to find the attraction you’ve been dreaming of is fully booked.
Sarah Antonie
