Offer the best of both worlds by pairing up adventures with an all-inclusive stay, writes Katie McGonagle
Like this and want more details? Click here to download and save as a PDF.
Holidays are the perfect time to switch off from everyday stress – but everyone does it in different ways. From Bear Grylls wannabes, whose idea of getting away from it all is trekking through jungles or exploring unknown lands, to those who need nothing more than a beach, a topped-up cocktail glass and some sunshine to guarantee a good time.
But few things in life are quite as clear cut. Most of us find our ideal holiday somewhere in between these extremes, so that’s why it is important to know which destinations combine full-on adventure with hassle-free all-inclusive breaks.
Here, we profile a few key spots offering the best of both, so clients can come back rested and relaxed while still having exciting tales of adventure to impress their friends.
Sri Lanka
For a small island, Sri Lanka packs a lot in. Its sandy shores rival any other Indian Ocean destination with a new generation of luxurious beachfront hotels. The island’s verdant interior boasts beautiful tea plantations, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and towns bursting with ancient and modern history.
The easiest way in which to experience everything is an escorted or private tour followed by a beach stay. But those who prefer a hotel base can still get in on the action. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a day trip from resorts around Negombo, while Dutch-built Galle Fort on the southwest coast offers an insight into the area’s multi-cultural history.
Book it: Kuoni offers an eight-night Trails of Sri Lanka private tour that visits Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, and offers customers the chance to experience treks, safaris, bicycle tours and white-water rafting. Add three nights’ all-inclusive at Jetwing Sea in Negombo, and prices start at £2,460, including SriLankan Airlines flights from Heathrow and transfers.
Cuba
Touring Havana is a lesson in recent social and political history, between the crumbling buildings of the old town and statues of revolutionaries Che Guevara and José Martí in Plaza de la Revolución. But there is also a fun side – think classic American cars, streets alive with music, walks along the Malecón esplanade and tours of the Partagas cigar factory or Havana Club rum factory.
Once clients have had their fill of action, they can relax at one of the island’s all-inclusive retreats. In terms of facilities, it is hard to beat Varadero’s 13-mile stretch of uninterrupted beachfront – most big resorts are clustered along here – but pretty Guardalavaca and the secluded islands of Jardines del Rey make good alternatives.
Book it: Hayes & Jarvis offers a 10-night Cuba holiday departing September 22 from £1,299, including transfers and Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick. The price includes three nights’ B&B at the four-star Meliá Cohiba in Havana, followed by a week’s all-inclusive at the five-star Paradisus Princesa del Mar in Varadero, with £1,000 resort credit.
Egypt
Adventures don’t always mean flying long-haul – the land of the pharaohs offers culture and excitement aplenty, plus its beaches aren’t half-bad either. A Nile cruise is the easiest way to pack in the sights, with highlights including Luxor Temple, the Karnak Temple complex, Valley of the Kings, Temples of Philae and Aswan High Dam.
Little needs to be said of the Red Sea’s all-inclusive offering, as it has been a key destination driving the growth in all-inclusive holidays. Encourage clients to book the best hotel they can afford – the trade-off for competitive pricing is often seen in the quality of food and beverage available, and activities or excursions are usually not included, unlike some higher-end all-inclusive destinations.
Book it: Red Sea Holidays offers seven nights’ all-inclusive on board Grand Rose and a week at Siva Grand Beach, Hurghada, from £935, including flights and transfers.
Safari
Safari-plus-beach is nothing new to the honeymoon market, but the combination is going mainstream. Luckily, Africa is as rich in beaches as in wildlife, whether within the same country – think Tanzania and Zanzibar or South Africa’s Eastern Cape resorts – or by hopping over to the Indian Ocean resorts of Mauritius, the Maldives or Mozambique.
Book it: 2by2Holidays offers a four-day safari in Kruger National Park and Mpumalanga Game Reserve, followed by two nights’ all-inclusive on Bazaruto Island off the coast of Mozambique. Prices start at £2,595 including South African Airways flights from Heathrow, internal flights and transfers.
Chile
If ever proof were needed that all-inclusive doesn’t stop at sunloungers and sandy shores, Chile would be it. Exploring the high plains of the Andes and the vast expanses of Patagonia can come with the convenience of all-inclusive accommodation, provided you know where to go.
Explora hotels in the Atacama and Torres del Paine national parks include all meals, drinks and daily excursions within the package. Active guests can choose from scenic treks, challenging hikes, heart-pumping mountain biking or horse riding to remote spots. And if guests need a rest after expending all that energy, they can linger for a few more days and enjoy the hotels’ spa facilities (treatments are extra).
Book it: Journey Latin America offers a 12-day all-inclusive trip visiting the Atacama Desert and Patagonia. Prices start at £5,400 including flights, transfers and excursions.
Thailand
Few countries cater equally to honeymooners and adventure seekers, but that is a line Thailand is happy to tread. From islands and beachfront resorts in the south, to jungle-based activity and culture in the north, its across-the-board appeal remains strong despite recent troubles.
Chiang Mai offers soft adventure options such as jungle treks and hill-tribe visits, as well as Buddhist temples and a lively night market. Clients should then head south to Koh Samui, Phi Phi, Phuket or Khao Lak, where they will find all-inclusive hotels to suit every budget.
Premier Holidays head of sales and marketing Debbie Goffin says: “We are seeing a massive trend in people wanting to incorporate adventure into their holidays. People want an experience to remember and we are seeing this across all demographics – younger and older couples, honeymooners and even families.”
Book it: Premier Holidays can combine its three-night Cultural Chiang Mai Adventure Tour with eight nights’ all-inclusive at the five-star Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa from £1,978 in September or October. The price includes private transfers and Oman Air flights from Heathrow.
Top tip
If it’s a honeymoon, book the beach stay first to allow the couple to recover from the wedding, then add adventureKeep it short
Booking an all-out adventure might be daunting for some, so why not offer an all-inclusive hotel with a few adventurous excursions thrown in for added excitement?
Gambia might be best-known for its winter-sun offering, but this ever-developing destination is extending its season – Thomas Cook now operates from October instead of November – and adding opportunities for soft adventure excursions such as four-wheel drive safaris or cycle tours from its all-inclusive beachfront hotels.
Olympic Holidays recommends a bird-watching trip to Abuko Nature Reserve, early-morning canoeing on Lamin Creek, or even a three-day mini safari visiting Makasutu Culture Forest and camping overnight.
The Caribbean excels in relaxed, all-inclusive beach breaks – but adventure awaits outside its hotels. Sandals’ tour provider Island Routes Caribbean Adventures offers commission to agents booking activities, which include everything from swimming with dolphins in Ocho Rios, Jamaica ($175), to a powerboat and snorkel tour in Grenada to see the world’s first underwater sculpture park ($105).
Over in Mexico, meanwhile, AMResorts’ excursion partner Amstar offers activities ranging from zip lining and nature hikes to cultural excursions, city tours and snorkelling. A full-day tour to Chichen Itza or beach town Akumal starts at $66 (departing Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa), while jungle tours start at about $110 for a day.
