ESCORTED TOURS ISLAND-HOPPING DESTINATIONS 5
GREECE Few places lend themselves as readily to this kind of itinerary as Greece, where each island
is more beautiful than the last. The vibe of each is markedly different, from larger, family-focused isles to those with a just-for-two feel, so this is also a way to whet the appetite for future bookings. If clients want to work in some time on land, try a tour that bookends a cruise with guided sightseeing in Greece or its nearest neighbours. Insight Vacations has a trip that starts with three days in Istanbul before cruising to romantic Santorini, the ancient ruins of Crete and Rhodes, and the picturesque islands of Symi and Mykonos, then finishing with guided sightseeing around Athens. Book it: Insight Vacations’ 13-day Easy Pace Turkey and Greece Cruise starts at £1,955 in summer, including B&B accommodation on land, full- board on the cruise, signature dining experiences, VIP airport transfers and a tour director. Flights extra.
insightvacations.com
The Inner Hebrides are even more
The vibe of each island is markedly different, from larger, family- focused isles to those with a just-for-two feel
6
SCOTTISH ISLES There’s no need to travel too far to enjoy the magic of an island-hopping cruise: pack
a warm jumper and waterproofs, and the remote highlands and islands of Scotland are well within reach. The Hebrides are perennially popular,
with inter-island ferries and plenty of sights to see. The Isle of Lewis is home to the Stonehenge-like Callanish Standing Stones and a prehistoric castle at Dun Carloway Broch, then there’s the rugged scenery of North Uist and Benbecula, and the peace and quiet of Barra, the southernmost of the Outer Hebrides chain.
accessible, with the Isles of Skye, Mull and Iona popular with day-trippers from the mainland. Must-see spots include Tobermory in Mull, the colourful setting for children’s programme Balamory, and religious sites in Iona, where Irish saint Columba founded a monastic movement in the sixth century. Book it: Shearings’ Lord of the Isles tour starts at £899 for 12 days, departing May to September. The price includes 11 nights’ half-board, coach travel and sightseeing.
shearings.co.uk
7
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Fancy spending a day on a deserted island with seven new-found friends? The idyllic
British Virgin Islands are another haven for small-group cruising, with intimate group sizes and smaller vessels that encourage a friendly atmosphere. That complements this carefree
destination, where the top priority is having a good time. Go snorkelling around The Caves to spot
3
ISLAND- HOPPING TOURS
Contiki has added an eight-day Bali Island Hopper tour, including
swimming with turtles in Gili Trawangan,
watching sunsets in Senggigi and shopping like a local in Seminyak. From £441.
contiki.com
Experience
Travel Group has introduced
LEFT: Crete, Greece BELOW: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
Myanmar and the Mergui Islands, a tour visiting Mandalay, Bagan, Lake Inle and Yangon, then tagging on a
liveaboard boat trip through the Mergui Peninsula. experience
travelgroup.com Intrepid
Travel’s new sailing tours include a Sardinia & Corsica
Adventure and a trip down
France’s Canal du Midi. Both are eight days,
starting at £930 and £1,035 respectively.
intrepidtravel.com NEW
3 March 2016
travelweekly.co.uk 47
PICTURES:GNTO/Y SKOULAS; W MCKELVIE
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