UK and short haul
Cornwall and Devon Fancy a general election getaway? Holiday Cottages is slashing prices in Devon and Cornwall in May, with as much as £450 a week off some properties (01237 426256, holidaycottages.co.uk). With more than 120 cottages on offer, there’s plenty of choice. For example, a seven-night stay at the Old Quay House in Falmouth, Cornwall, is now £750, down from £940, on May 2. The spacious cottage has four rooms (sleeping seven), estuary views and a clean modern look.
Norfolk Skipper your own cruiser on a boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads, passing along lock-free waterways and stopping at the many characterful pubs and restaurants along the way. If this sounds good — and you happen to have next week off — try a very last-minute getaway with Hoseasons (0345 498 6130, hoseasons.co.uk), which has four-night breaks from £455 departing on Monday. This is down from £535. The cruisers are based in Wroxham and come with TVs, DVDs and wi-fi. There’s a double and two single cabins, sleeping four.
Minorca The Barceló Hamilton hotel is an adults-only hotel with six hot tubs on a terrace overlooking a marina on the Bay of Mahon. The hotel has a cocktail bar, two pools and a gym. Thomson Holidays (0203 451 2688, thomson.co.uk) has a week’s half-board stay departing from Gatwick on May 2 from £384pp — a saving of £246 per couple on the usual rate.
Rhodes Get sporty during a stay at the five-star Sheraton Rhodes, where tennis, table tennis, basketball, squash and watersports are available — as are three pools (one indoor) and a gym. Rooms are spacious and smart, many with sea views. Sovereign (01293 731 566, sovereign.com/hotel/102059) has seven-nights’ B&B from £785pp departing on May 27. This represents 25 per cent off. The offer also includes access to UK airport lounges where available, private transfers, and return flights from Gatwick.
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Turkey You can save up to £300 per person on seven-night breaks at the stylish four-star Elixir Hotel during May and June. The Elixir has a charming courtyard with a pool surrounded by cabanas, a hamam, hot tub and an inviting roof-terrace restaurant — and it’s a short walk to the centre of Kalkan. Anatolian Sky Holidays (0844 273 3586, anatoliansky.co.uk) offers a seven-night B&B stay departing from Gatwick on May 2 from £449pp. Transfers are included. This deal must be booked by April 23.
Long haul
Florida The average daily maximum high in Florida is about 30C in May, so it’s perfect if you’re after a blast of heat. Bradenton, on the Gulf coast away from the busy theme parks, makes a relaxing spot at this time of year, with white-sand beaches, kayaking, treks in tropical wildlife reserves and fishing trips. America As You Like It (020 8742 8299, americaasyoulikeit.com) has seven-night stays at the comfortable Shorewalk Vacation Villas from £825pp departing on May 10, with BA flights from Gatwick and a hire car included. Further information is available from bradentongulfislands.com.
Mauritius For a gorgeous Indian Ocean hideaway with minimalist rooms on a tucked-away beach — and great deals in the early summer — look no further than Astroea Beach in Mauritius. Kuoni (01306 747008, kuoni.co.uk) has 14-night all-inclusive stays in June from £1,499pp, which includes a saving of £2,065 per couple on the brochure price. Flights are from Gatwick, via Dubai, and transfers are included.