ESCORTED TOURS SHORT TOURS DESTINATIONS


a visit to the Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve, where 12 craters were formed when a meteor landed 4,700 years ago, and a stop in the West MacDonnell Ranges, where bright-green ferns sit in front of vivid-red sandstone rocks. Book it: From £1,575, including accommodation, transfers, guides, entrance fees and most meals. coxandkings.co.uk


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CHRISTMAS MARKETS There’s something magical about Europe’s Christmas markets


– wafts of cinnamon, fairy-lit chalets, illuminated ice rinks – and nowhere does them quite like Belgium. For clients keen on squeezing


a few into one trip, suggest Newmarket Holidays’ three-day Brussels, Bruges and Ghent Christmas Markets itinerary, which leaves ample time for exploring the cities alongside the festivities themselves. Highlights include a


spectacular Sound and Light


RIGHT: Kruger


National


Europe’s Christmas markets are magical – wafts of cinnamon, fairy-lit chalets and illuminated ice rinks


Show in Brussels’ Grand Place, strolls along the picturesque waterways of Ghent, and time to browse the market on the Simonsteven Plein in Bruges, where delightfully presented Belgian chocolates sit beside handmade decorations and other sweet treats. Clients will be collected from their chosen pick-up point, so it’s an easy option for a long weekend. Book it: From £179, based on a December 8 departure. The price includes half-day visits to the markets, two nights’ B&B in a three-star hotel, return Channel crossings, coach travel and a tour manager. newmarketholidays.co.uk


Park, South Africa


BELOW:


Christmas markets, Belgium


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PETRA AND THE DEAD SEA For those with a hankering for history,


suggest Jordan. Home to the ancient sandstone city of Petra – lost to the outside world until it was rediscovered in 1812 – it provides an intriguing snapshot into the past that adventurous types can take in on a flying visit with On The Go Tours’ Short Stay trip in the region. Alongside Petra, the four-


day trip takes in the likes of Modaba and its ancient mosaics; the imposing Shobak Castle, a throwback to the days of the Crusaders; Beidha neolithic village, home to a plethora of tombs and temples; and Mount Nebo, which is regarded as one of the country’s most sacred sites and overlooks the Promised Land. Guests will also get the chance to float starfish-style in the Dead Sea, soaking up its minerals, before hopping on a plane home. Book it: From £785 including transfers, guided tours, entrance fees, three nights’ B&B in four- star hotels and transport. onthegotours.com


48 travelweekly.co.uk 15 June 2017


dogs and more than 500 species of birds, then throw in mile upon mile of savannah, traditional cuisine and starry skies. What do you get? Kruger National Park – and it needn’t be reserved for those with all the time in the world on their hands. A minimal time difference plus direct flights mean it’s more than doable as a short break, or as the beginning of a longer South African adventure. For a whistle-stop trip in the


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region, look to Intrepid Travel’s four-day itinerary, which includes a full-day game drive through the park alongside an evening drive, morning bush walk and various optional activities. Guests will dine under the stars while staying at a cosy lodge, before heading back to Johannesburg – ideal for those wanting to combine a safari with a cultural break. Book it: From £420 including three nights’ accommodation in a lodge, daily game drives, nature walks, transport to and from Johannesburg and most meals. intrepidtravel.com


KRUGER


EXPERIENCE Take the big five, add giraffes, wild


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