Summer Holiday Ideas
18.05.17 | Nathan CollinsAs summer approaches, here are a few suggestions from our award-winning team of travel experts, all departing from Birmingham and offering something a little different.
A new flight commencing in June opens up the Split and Makarska Riviera including the cosmopolitan resort of Hvar and the island of Brac. With its rich history, stunning coastline and beautiful interior with great national parks – Croatia is a good all round destination. One great way to see the coastline is by boat and regular casual Adriatic cruises take place allowing you to call in and experience different resorts, towns and cities. You can also combine Croatia with Montenegro where my colleague Nicola recently visited. An up and coming destination, there are already a selection of excellent luxury hotels and quality restaurants waiting to be explored. Perfect for a self-drive trip between the two countries.
One of the more obvious choices is the island of Majorca, but instead of booking a standard week’s package, consider a long weekend. With an abundance of flights from Birmingham and East Midlands airports you don’t have to rely on weekly charter services which makes short breaks much easier. Our favourite place for a cocktail is Abaco and Puno Beach Club is where the in-crowd hang out. The city has a beautiful cathedral to explore, great shopping and an exciting collection of restaurants. Our favourite quiet spot on the island is the pretty village of Deia, home to the famous English poet, novelist, and scholar Robert Graves. He was one of the first foreigners to settle in the village which is now home to a superb 5* hotel, perfect for afternoon tea at the very least.
For those with an interest in history why not consider the Peloponnese region of Greece. Accessed via Kalamata from Birmingham on the mainland of Greece the area is rich in Greek ruins and having visited myself I can highly recommend it. I stayed in the Costa Navarino area which lends itself well for families like us but also couples with excellent luxury hotels on offer. It is a less commercialised and authentic area of Greece compared with some of the other resorts and islands I have previously experienced. There are many other flights from Birmingham to Greece including Kefalonia and Lefkas on a nice, smaller aircraft which makes it feel a little more exclusive.
If you enjoy food & wine, head to Porto, Portugal’s second city further north than Lisbon. A new direct flight from Birmingham makes it a great short break destination or why not combine it with Lisbon for a longer stay? Porto itself is a pretty city, famed for its sherry and wine and we certainly have great feedback when clients return. If you prefer not to drive abroad, there is a good rail link down the coast to Lisbon, and the city gives good access to the Douro Valley too.
And finally, consider a trip to Valencia this summer. With the only direct flight from the UK outside of London, those of us that live in the Midlands can now access this culturally rich city which has long been a hidden gem on the Costa Blanca coast. The city celebrates its past and embraces its future with a beautiful historic old town to wander and a selection of world-class art galleries and museums celebrating Spanish art and culture. The local area outside Valencia is full of fascinating sites, castles and attractions. Food plays an important role in Valencia life and we highly recommend exploring the traditional local restaurants away from the main streets. The 72-hour tourist pass is a great way to experience the city’s highlights with entrance fees and transport included.
To book your summer holiday with RB Collection, contact us on 01543 258631, or e-mail us at vip@rbcollection.com
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