Holiday & Travel

With temperatures soaring to 29 degrees this weekend in Geneva, summer really has arrived in Europe's Leading City Break Destination. Offering some of the most breath-taking scenery and a whole host of outdoor activities, why not escape to Geneva for some fun in the sun this summer.

With some purpose-built pools, sunbathing decks, a cafe and a beach for wild swimming in Lake Geneva, The Bains des Pâquis is one of the trendiest summer hang-outs in the city. Locals flock to this hidden gem in the summer months to bask on the beach. For those in search of a bit more culture, wine lovers can cycle through Geneva's vineyards, stopping by some of the local wineries en route. Adrenaline junkies can paraglide off Mont Salève or canoe down the beautifully unspoilt Marais de la Versoix river.

The iconic annual festival, Les Fêtes de Genève, will take place from 3-13 August, enabling visitors to immerse themselves in traditional Swiss culture. For the first time ever, a huge Ferris wheel will be installed in the Jardin Anglais for 3 months, from July to September, offering tourists some of the finest views of the city and the lake.

Guests can visit the city with Geneva Tourism's 'Weekend Package: Geneva Outdoors' which includes one hotel room with complimentary breakfast; pedalo rental; a one hour cruise around Lake Geneva, and a ticket for the Mount Salève cable car. Visitors will also be able to enjoy free public transport with the Geneva Transport Card, ensuring a hassle-free weekend of exploring.

As eager Brits get ready to down tools and take a well-earned holiday, new research from VoucherCodes.co.uk reveals that a staggering 26 million Brits are set to head off on a summer getaway this year, spending an average of £1,253 per person, per trip, taking into account all the associated costs, including travel, accommodation and food and drink. This is an increase on the 21.9 million holidaymakers who went away last year, shelling out an average of £1,315 on their travels.

Location, location, location

Eschewing sunnier climes, nearly one third (28 per cent) of UK adults are opting to go on a staycation in the UK this year, spending a total of £667, with more over 55’s planning a trip on home turf than any other age group.

Meanwhile, over one quarter (26 per cent) of holidaymakers are planning a beach holiday abroad, setting aside an average outlay of £1,348. Families with children are the most likely to hit the beach, with over one third (35 per cent) planning to take their buckets and spades abroad this year, however it seems those with children under four prefer to stay home and avoid the travel hassle, with four in 10 (42 per cent) settling for a UK trip.

Thanks to the soaring popularity of city break destinations including Barcelona and Copenhagen, over one in ten (13 per cent) will be going on a city break abroad this year, spending an average of £1,167. Shorter trips appear to be a popular choice for students and younger Brits, with more 18 to 24 year olds planning a city break than any other age group in the UK.

Bucket-list Brits

Despite the longstanding popularity of these more traditional holidays, it seems many are starting to take notice of more unconventional breaks; 3.12 million Brits are planning a ‘bucket-list’ holiday this summer - a trip involving an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience such as a journey to one of the seven wonders of the world, with singletons and divorcees driving the trend forwards. Where cost is concerned, Brits are prepared to spend significantly more on bucket-list holidays, with those planning to go on such a trip planning on setting aside an average of £2,165 for their trip, more than three times the expected outlay for those planning a staycation this year.

Set to welcome its first guests in June 2017, Dhigali, the newest island resort from Universal Resorts matches contemporary luxury with the pure natural beauty of the Maldives. Located in the Raa Atoll, Dhigali brings modern minimalist design to this wonderfully remote part of the Maldives.

The resort is just a 45-minute journey by seaplane from Malé Airport; domestic flights from Ifuru/Dharavandhoo Airport, are also available and including transfer by speedboat, take just 70  minutes. Surrounded by a pristine coral reef and crystal clear lagoon, this 5 star sanctuary invites guests to cast away in unspoilt luxury and rich Maldivian culture.

The island itself is corralled by 20 Beach Bungalows and 33 Deluxe Beach Bungalows to the south, and 63 Beach Villas which line the north and south western beaches. Nestled under a canopy of palms these beach front sanctuaries provide luxurious intimacy, effortlessly marrying the interior and exterior. Outside, spend your days relaxing in the private deck's day-bed or opt for the Beach Villa with Pool which includes a private plunge pool overlooking the sparkling Indian Ocean.

Dhigali's overwater bungalows dot the island's azure perimeter. Extending from the south eastern side of the island is a jetty hosting 24 Water Villas, each one rising out of the lagoon on stilts. Similarly, from the south-east of the island snakes a further jetty housing 16 larger Lagoon Villas with Pools.

The natural beauty of the island is the heart and soul of this unique resort experience. Guests can unwind on superb golden beaches including Dhigali's private sandbank, during season extending up to 250 m from the island or explore the island's house reef, teeming with marine life. Small caves are located on the south western part of the reef where lion fish, eagle rays, turtles and manta rays can be found.

Dhigali offers access to Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where divers and snorkelers can discover the largest seasonal groupings of manta rays, a variety of stunning corals and huge schools of tropical marine life, as well as the opportunity to spot Whale Sharks.

Dhigali's innovative and authentic cuisine explores the spices of Asia, the classic tastes of Europe and traditional Maldivian flavours in its 5 restaurants whilst their 2 bars, Haali and East are perfect settings to enjoy a cocktail. There'll be a particular focus on fresh Asian dishes, including the specialist Asian restaurant, Battuta.

Hidden amongst the island's idyllic tropical gardens, the Dhigali Spa is a lush sanctuary with 12 treatment rooms, making it one of the largest in the Maldives. Featuring an outdoor plunge pool surrounded by lush natural greenery, the spa offers indigenous therapies and healing traditions.

This remote coral cay promises unforgettable moments, exquisite romance and true Maldivian beauty.

Herefordshire's magical Dewsall Court is inviting guests to discover their wild side on an exciting journey through the senses. The Grade II listed country retreat is hosting 'Where the Wild Things Rave', an immersive dinner based on medicinal and foraged herbs followed by an evening of uninhibited dancing.

The evening event takes place from 6.30 until midnight on 17 June 2017. Guests will be collected by magic bus from Hereford and taken to the idyllic ten-bedroom property, which is set in 15 acres of grounds in the heart of the beautiful Herefordshire countryside and is the perfect setting for the party.

On arrival at the stunning celebration house, guests will be welcomed with Chase distillery cocktails created by Thom Williams and led on a wild route through the gardens and grounds to the recently refurbished Wainhouse Barn, where the sensory event will take place.

Sporting a rustic yet stylish look, the Wainhouse Barn has intricate mandalas on the floor and stunning iron work provided by a local blacksmith. For the event itself, the barn will feature a Hanging Gardens of Babylon installation, dressed with fresh blooms and trailing foliage and will showcase moving projections by Bristol artist collective, Limbic Cinema.

The immersive dinner created by Dewsall's in-house chefs will be based on edible flowers and medicinal, foraged herbs such as lovage, pink fir, wild garlic, sea fennel and sweet cicely, all famed for giving natural highs and mood boosters. The mouth-watering menu which features wild rabbit, oysters, pigeon, cod and clams, will be accompanied by specially selected cocktails from the family owned single-estate Chase Distillery in Herefordshire. Information about the natural, locally-sourced produce will be shared during the evening by a special guest.

At the end of the meal, the Wild Chocolate Club will provide a shot of raw cacao before George Oscar of Set it Out DJ's unleashes a legendary conscious clubbing experience. One of the best super foods on the planet, raw cacao gives a huge energy boost, opening the heart and awakening the mood-elevating neurotransmitters in the brain.

When the dancing comes to an end, the magic Dewsall bus will be waiting to return revellers back to Hereford.

Early bird tickets are available for £39 per person, or £49 for late birds. For those wanting to combine the event with an overnight stay in one of the main house's 10 individually designed bedrooms, all with feature bedrooms, Dewsall Court is offering a package priced at £145 per person on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

This summer, Contiki wants young travellers to dive in the deep end and leave their summer holiday planning in the capable hands of the youth travel expert.

Contiki has created an online quiz which matches people's personalities with their perfect summer trip. Like a blind date for wanderlusters, Contiki wants young Brits to be adventurous and book their 'holiday match' without any idea of where they're going.

After identifying things like holiday essentials, how they like to spend their days and nights, and when they want to travel this summer, Contiki's Dare to Adventure quiz generates the traveller's ultimate European adventure. Now, with 24 hours on the clock, travellers have to decide if they're brave enough to take the risk and book the mystery trip!*

To sweeten the deal, Contiki are rewarding risk-takers with a huge 50% discount on the mystery trip. Travellers bold enough to book can be confident that Contiki will cram in plenty of must-see sightseeing, tasty European cuisine and unforgettable experiences this summer.

Adventure-seekers will be instructed to arrive at the Contiki Basement in Central London on the day of their departure. Not until the day they depart will travellers discover what amazing European adventure awaits them.

The Eden Project will boldly go on an epic Journey Into Space this summer (July 27 to September 3) with its biggest, most ambitious season of activities yet.

Journey Into Space will include the chance to train as an astronaut, go on a breath-taking interplanetary tour and have an encounter with an alien visitor.

This will be the first time Eden has brought space-themed activities to its summer visitors. The centrepiece of the programme will be a Solar System Safari, which will take visitors on a spectacular journey through all eight planets in our solar system.

They will experience a unique environment based on the conditions on each planet. This will include a trek through the inhospitable icy wasteland of Uranus, the chance to witness gas giant Jupiter rising from the vantage point of its moon Europa and a beautiful fly-by of Earth before landing in its lush vegetation, learning why it is uniquely placed to support life.

Extra-terrestrial investigators will also be giving the opportunity to explore a mysterious crash-site that has appeared at Eden, helping a team of scientists find out what happened and coming face-to-face with a mysterious alien visitor.

Visitors will be able to see a prototype of NASA's next Mars rover, due to launch for the red planet in summer 2020 and land on the surface by February 2021.

The new rover will conduct the first investigation into the usability and availability of Martian resources, including oxygen, in preparation for human missions to the planet.

Younger visitors will be able to learn what it takes to become an astronaut, including practicing their spacewalk technique in a giant inflatable dome.

They will also be able to get experience programming and driving one of Eden's “Mars rovers”. They will get an authentic experience of having to drive by remote link using a video feed to see where they're going. A scale model of the International Space Station will also be available to view.

An exhibition of images from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition will be on display for the duration of Journey Into Space, showcasing the best of astronomical photography, from spectacular skyscapes to pictures of galaxies millions of light years away from Earth.

The season will feature a regular selection of talks and workshops from space experts. More details on speakers and dates will be announced shortly.

Gordon Seabright, Eden's Managing Director, said: “Journey Into Space is set to be the biggest and most spectacular summer season in the history of the Eden Project. We will be explaining the fascinating world of space exploration, showing visitors the vast and awe-inspiring universe that surrounds us and helping people realise just how special Earth is and why we should be looking after it.

“Space is a subject that holds a fascination for people of all ages and backgrounds, from the professor of astrophysics unlocking the secrets of the universe to the small child who dreams of becoming an astronaut. This summer at the Eden Project, we will be tapping into that fascination and providing entertainment and enlightenment for all our visitors.”

The environment, visitor expectations, trends and developments – all these are contributing to dramatic long-term changes in the tourism sector. That's what Cape Town Tourism will reveal in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal at INDABA 2017.

Building onto a multifaceted narrative to be shared by participants at the event, one of the largest tourism marketing events in Africa, the organisation highlights three areas that will dramatically alter the face of tourism in the years to come:

Halaal-friendly tourism

According to Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index, Muslim visitor arrivals at destinations (globally) were estimated to be 117 million in 2015, and are projected to grow to 168 million by 2020. South Africa is ideally positioned to attract a higher share of this segment. Cape Town Tourism is engaging with CrescentRating and HalalTrip to tap into this lucrative market, given that Cape Town, with its substantial Muslim community is well-placed to encourage this.

The rise of the SMME

It is estimated that within 20 years, 90 percent of all companies in SA will be SMMEs. Within the tourism sector, this is encouraging for emerging entrepreneurs, particularly those from an informal business environment. Smaller operators are able to act in agile response to niche demands, providing a fresh take on tourism for visitors. More than tourism, these SMMEs are often community-driven, so the benefits are direct rather than tickling down. This will revolutionise how visitors encounter destinations all year round, helping to counteract seasonality, a rapidly diminishing concept in a country where the gap between winter and summer seems to be narrowing.

Large developments and investor confidence

The opening of Zeitz MOCAA in the Silo District of the V&A Waterfront in the latter part of 2017 gives a hint of things to come: the grand vision that has resulted in this development has shown that great ideas, vision and investor confidence will all aid in driving tourism, through the creation of attractions and experiences that add value to an already-rich foundation. The snowball of investment: as the demand increases, so hotels are developed and infrastructure is improved, allowing for greater capacity for more visitors, over and over.

The Costa Calida, in the Region of Murcia, offers a rich variety of diving experiences for the beginner or the skilled diver.

The region's seabed is blessed with a variety of marine life and flora, and numerous, fascinating historic shipwrecks, making the Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas-Isla Grosa, Cartagena-La Azohía- Cabo Tiñoso, Mazarrón, and Águilas exceptional places for diving.

All offer the opportunity to enjoy everything from easy dives in shallow waters, to more challenging routes recommended only for more experienced divers. For assistance, there are numerous diving centres offering courses and dive experiences for all levels: from beginners to more technical dives to large shipwrecks, underwater caves and crevices, suitable for the experienced diver.

In Cabo de Palos, Islas Hormigas and Isla Grosa – in the north-west of the region – one finds some of the best diving opportunities in the Mediterranean: spectacular reefs brimming with fish, overhangs and many seemingly unexplored caverns.

Beyond the lagoon, the tips of an ancient volcanic chain form islands and undersea mountains in one of Spain's oldest marine reserves, dating from 1995. Not only is it a stunning place to come face to face with marine life, but there are also traces of wooden vessels, both Roman and Phoenician, at the Bajo de la Campana site, just off the Isla Grosa – which itself features a stunning underwater posidonia oceanica meadow. Indeed, at one site a Phoenician trading ship is concealed beneath a Roman vessel while both sit atop another Phoenician ship.

Use of the site for naval target practice down the years has created a number of hazards, which, consequently, have generated a large collection of wrecks, many in excellent condition.

Visitor arrival numbers for April 2017 surpassed the previous record held 20 years ago. Guam welcomed 122,622 visitors, breaking the 1997 record of 105,586 visitors.

“It’s clear Guam is attracting more visitors to our shores and people want to get a taste of our Håfa Adai spirit and Chamorro culture,” said Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio. “Guam’s number one industry supports over 20,000 jobs in our community. I encourage everyone to thank our hospitality workers as we celebrate Tourism Month in May.”

“More visitors have discovered our beautiful and pristine island. We have more milestones to celebrate as April arrival numbers have jumped to historic levels. I want to congratulate the hard-working men and women of the Guam Visitors Bureau and the airline and tourism industries on job well done. We know it’s not easy to put together events, activities and projects that show how tourism works for Guam. We look forward in continuing to break records when it comes to visitor arrivals.” — Governor Eddie Baza Calvo

Mulberry Cottage's quirky properties appeal to a variety of passions and interests. Railway enthusiasts can steam toward the prospect of spending the night in a luxuriously converted signal box, while nature lovers can happily wallow in a treehouse in a safari park surrounded by exotic animals and live like David Attenborough for a time.

Built in 1893, and sitting next to the original train station on the Primrose Line, Signal Box Cottage is unique in its heritage and design. It's upside down layout makes it a memorable property to stay in, with a spiral staircase leading from the kitchen/living space down to two bedrooms. It's the perfect place to stay for those looking to explore South Devon, as well as enjoy some of the fantastic restaurants and cafes right on the doorstep.

A distinctive former radar station, located in Britain's only desert, Coastguard Lookout offers a unique, modern and effortlessly stylish holiday experience. Situated on the Dungeness coastline, the property offers uninterrupted views of the sea from almost every room and is just a few steps from the English Channel.

Wendy Wu Tours is launching its hugely popular Big Asia Sale, which is offering great savings of up to £1,000 per couple across their most popular tours to China, Southeast Asia, India and Japan* for 2017 travel.

Available now across the Asia specialist's biggest-selling tours, customers have until 30 June to book a 2017 departure at a discounted rate. These offers can also be combined with Wendy Wu Tours' loyalty discounts, giving customers the opportunity to save a further £250pp.

“If you've been on the fence about booking a trip to Asia for 2017, we hope that the great savings in our Big Asia Sale will convince customers that now is the time to travel to China, Southeast Asia, India or Japan. We pride ourselves on our great-value, so together with our reputation as real Asia experts, these discounts offer unbeatable value,” said Ben Briggs, Head of Marketing, Wendy Wu Tours.

This campaign continues Wendy Wu Tours' pledge to offer customers the best possible value. Their award-winning tours include international flights, domestic transportation, accommodation, touring with expert guides, entrance fees, all meals and even visa fees when applicable.

This summer you can fly direct from Birmingham with British Airways to the beautiful Spanish destinations of Malaga, Ibiza and Palma Majorca, as well as a brand new flight to the Italian city of Florence.

All flights will operate once a week at weekends, and give you the opportunity to enjoy the roomy interiors of BA’s modern Embraer jet aircraft at fantastic prices.

You will also have the chance to upgrade to a business class experience with the inclusion a Club Europe cabin on all flights, allowing you additional checked baggage allowance, delicious dining with inclusive drinks and free seat selection.

The new 'Escape' collection from the Scandinavian travel specialist aims to enable holidaymakers to emulate the Swedish tradition of escaping the city to relax and recharge at a lakeside hideaway. The three additional holidays include a break for families that mixes city and countryside, a taste of small village life for adults, and a winter experience for all.

Escape – Swedish Family Style! is a seven-night, three-centre family break, visiting Stockholm, a secret private island, and a rural spa hotel. After two nights in the Swedish capital, guests will take a short drive north to Ockelbo in middle Sweden and transfer by boat to a secret private island to spend two nights in a traditional red cottage, Kabin.

Here they will enjoy activities including lake-swimming, canoeing and forest walks, as well as rustling up meals from the recipes and organic ingredients provided. The holiday concludes with three nights at one of Sweden's most famous spa hotels, in the lakeside village of Tällberg in the Dalarna region.

Escape – Little Sweden is a seven-night, three-centre break aimed at adult guests that offers the chance to experience life in a small village, get active in the wild, and dine on delicious locally sourced food. The first two nights will be spent at Stilleben, a stylish B&B housed in a former school in the village of Åmot in middle Sweden.

Activities include riding Icelandic horses, cycling, and the option of a bear safari. Next stop, two nights in Fryksås, in the Dalarna region, a pretty village that's home to a famous collection of 16th-century timber farm buildings. Guests will then move on to enjoy three nights at the spa hotel in Tällberg.

Escape – Swedish Winter Style! is a new, seven-night holiday that makes the most of the snowy landscapes of the Ockelbo region. The break is now available to book for dates throughout February 2018, with a seasonal option for the Christmas and New Year period. Based at Stilleben, guests' days can be spent joining in various activities – from baking, fat-biking and husky-driving to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice-fishing, with specially organised alternatives and menus for the two festive departures.

In an age where technology is becoming a prominent part of family life, it's important to find time to reconnect with the people who matter the most. This is why Grand American Adventures has developed a series of specific family friendly itineraries designed to enable mums, dads, grandparents and siblings to explore the great outdoors and create everlasting memories together. So, turn all technology off and embrace nature on one of Grand American Adventures' family holidays, where no one will get bored:

See Sloths in the wild on Costa Rica Family Discovery

Sid, the sloth in the popular animated movies Ice Age, made families all over the world fall in the love with these sedentary creatures. One of the many highlights of this tour of the world's 'greenest and happiest' countries, is a visit to the famous Sloth Sanctuary.

On Costa Rica Family Discovery, families will learn about the work that goes into protecting these animals before taking a boat tour to see them in their natural habitat. Families will also search for frogs, butterflies and birds whilst walking around La Paz Waterfall Gardens, spot jungle creatures such as toucans on a river rafting tour, hear animals calls on a night-time walk of Tirimbina Biological Reserve, and search for Capuchin Monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park.

Waterfalls, wildlife and walking on Canadian Family Discovery

This is the ideal holiday for active families as it includes an exciting Glacier Walk in Athabasca, swimming in mountain lakes, and plenty of hikes in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Those wanting to take the adventure even further will have the opportunity to horse ride through the wilderness of Helmcken Falls, zip-line through the tree-tops in Whistler, or canoe Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park.

Canada has an abundance of wildlife including bears, moose and eagles, all of which can be spotted at any time. There's plenty of time for relaxing too. There are many trails families can take at their leisure and the whole family can unwind with included excursions such as the visit to the Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs.

Camp out in America's National Parks on Western Family Discovery

This family favourite allows travellers to enjoy nature at its finest. Experience the best of western USA's national parks across four states, and camp beneath the vast open skies Highlights include a tour of the backroads of Monument Valley by a Navajo guide, hiking the Grand Canyon, cycling whilst wildlife spotting in Yosemite, and wading through The Narrows at Emerald Pool in Zion National Park.

Building on Hull's success as 2017 UK City of Culture, a newly-launched TransPennine Express 'North of England Rover Ticket' is offering visitors a chance to explore four famous northern cities on a cultural voyage of discovery.

Starting in the 'gateway' city of Hull, the brand new 'ticket-to-ride' gives four days of unlimited rail travel between Hull, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool on a ticket that is valid for eight days.

To help visitors make the most of the value for money North of England Rover, suggested itineraries also offer some top tips for city culture, from Liverpool's Beatles Story and Tate Liverpool to Manchester's Lowry and Bridgewater Hall and Leeds' Henry Moore Institute and Royal Armouries.

Suggestions also cover events in the four cities right through the year, from music festivals to literary celebrations and award-winning markets to new stage productions, offering visitors a chance to compile their perfect northern cities tour.

It's no coincidence that the North of England Rover Ticket has been unveiled in 2017 - the year when Hull is able to offer its visitors 365 vibrant days of culture during its reign as the UK City of Culture.

But with so many galleries, exhibitions, events and festivals to enjoy across some of the UK's liveliest cities, visitors are being given four days of unlimited travel over eight days – allowing visitors plenty of time in each of the partner cities before heading back to Hull.