Increasingly, people are looking for something more exciting from their holiday than pretty scenery, and the industry is seeing a move towards themed holidays – be it a yoga retreat or an action-packed sports adventure. And with the long nights and the chilly air, a little bit of sunshine thrown in never goes amiss.
Here are five great getaways to help rejuvenate your clients’ mind and body over the winter months.
Perfect for sporty families
Where? La Manga Club, Spain
Why? This holiday resort sits on the Mediterranean coast in southern Spain. It offers a massive range of activities to keep the family busy such as dance classes, scuba diving lessons, go-karting, and mountain biking in the surrounding hills.
For those looking for a relaxing holiday, La Manga Club also has a spa at the Las Lomas Hotel. Aside from the gym and pool, there are treatments such as scrubs, hot stones, manicures and tanning services. T’ai Chi sessions are available for those wanting to destress as well as detox.
Sample product: La Manga is offering four nights for the price of three in either five-star Hotel La Manga Principe Felipe or the Las Lomas Village during January and February. Children can go free if they share a room with parents – so four nights’ bed and breakfast for two adults and one child would cost €420. lamangaspain.com,+34 968 17 557
Perfect for total relaxation
Where? Le Sport, St Lucia, Caribbean
Why? Le Sport offers a range of ‘BodyHolidays’ for a body and mind replenishment. The hotel backs on to a beautiful Caribbean beach and has luxurious bedrooms, great food in its four eateries, and personalised exercise programmes. The highlight here is the award-winning spa – The Oasis, The Centre of Health and Wellbeing.
The spa houses 33 treatment rooms, and for each day of their stay guests receive a 50-minute treatment included in the price. Some of the treatments, which are all made from natural products, include a Lucian ginger and lime scrub, the Oasis full-body massage and hydrotherapy.
For those looking for more than just a pampering holiday Le Sport also has a range of activities such as water sports, yoga, tennis and circus arts.
Sample product: A week-long BodyHoliday package at Le Sport starts at $2,625 in January and $2,800 in February. The price includes accommodation with ocean views, and a daily, 50-minute rejuvenating body cares programme, in addition to relaxation and fitness classes and activities such as motorised water sports, shore scuba dives and on-site golf and tennis tuition. thebodyholiday.com, 0845 217 7845
Perfect for animal lovers
Where? Masai Mara Family Park, Kenya
Why? This tour is perfect for families who want to see some exotic creatures in their natural habitat. Experience hot climes and beautiful scenery at the camp situated at the foot of the Ngama Hills.
The park offers game drives for the chance to see the big five and there are activities organised, such as treasure hunts, to keep the kids busy. More adventurous clients can pre-book a hot-air balloon ride to view the park from the air.
Evenings provide time to relax and reflect around the campfire. Offer an add-on trip to beautiful beach resorts such as Mombasa or Zanzibar.
Sample product: Virgin Holidays’ four-night, Masai Mara Family Safari tour includes scheduled Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow to Nairobi, accommodation at the Siana Springs Camp, and transport.
Prices start from £1,522 for adults and £1,063 for children, for departures between January 1 and April 1 2010, based on two adults sharing a tent. vhols4agents.co.uk, 0844 557 3982
Perfect for value golf breaks
Where? Tunisia
Why? As golf holiday specialist Panorama Holidays puts it in its brochure, “the greens are challenging but the course fees aren’t”.
In addition to year-round sun and a relatively short flight time – just over four hours from the UK – Tunisia boasts a wide range of championship courses and options for golfers of all abilities, easily accessible from the resorts scattered along its 800 miles of coastline. Equipment hire is reasonable too.
Sample product: Thomas Cook has a seven-night break staying at the four-star Royal Kenz in Port el Kantaoui on a half-board basis for £249 per person departing Gatwick on January 3.
The resort is perfectly placed for the El Kantaoui Gold Course, whose two 18-hole championship courses offer a variety of playing conditions. Courses can be pre-booked; one round costs £43, while five rounds cost £179. Players require a handicap of 36. thomascookworld.com, 0871 230 2399
Perfect for beating the post-Christmas bulge
Where? Leutasch and Seefeld, Austria
Why? Skiing is an exciting way to work off those last few inches left over from the holiday season. If hot sunshine isn’t your clients’ thing then try selling an action-packed break in Leutasch and Seefeld.
Headwater offers perfect cross-country runs for both beginners and experienced skiers with beautiful valley surroundings, which look stunning bathed in the winter sun.
As well as skiing, they can also take a horse-drawn sleigh ride or try their hand at tobogganing, curling or ice-skating.
If your clients still have the energy, they can visit Innsbruck for a wild night out, or alternatively, if they want a more relaxing evening, visit the Hotel Xander, which offers a spa, sauna and steam room.
Sample product:Headwater‘s eight-day, Cross-Country Skiing break in Leutasch and Seefeld starts at £1,268 per person for January/February, including flights from Gatwick to Innsbrook with Thomson Airways, four-star, half-board accommodation, airport transfers and a five-day guided ski tour (equipment included). headwater.com, 01606 720199
