10 April 3, 2022The Sunday TimesTravel Deals
Nothing sorted for the upcoming hols? Don’t
fret, Liz Bird has the pick of the available trips
BREAKS
CRACKING
EASTER
at the turreted Villa Igiea in
Palermo, recently given an
elegant makeover by the
hotelier Olga Polizzi. The
palatial art nouveau interior
is all high ceilings, classical
columns and chandeliers.
Many of the 113 rooms and
suites overlook the sea or
terraced gardens, and there’s
a pool, spa, restaurant and bar.
A shuttle bus will whisk you
into Palermo, with its baroque
palaces and churches with
exquisite Byzantine mosaics.
Details Three nights’ B&B
from £1,098pp, including
flights and transfers
(kirkerholidays.com)MOUNTAINS AND MEDINAS
IN MARRAKESH
The best of both worlds is
on offer at the Moorish-style
Iberostar Club Palmeraie.
Set in the palm oasis of
Palmeraie, it’s only a 15-minute
complimentary bus ride from
the hectic, fragrant souks of
Marrakesh. Families and
child-free guests can enjoy
not being in each other’s
company — there’s an adult-
only pool, hammam andCYCLING IN CATALONIA
Whizz through medieval
villages, past olive groves and
vineyards, to reach the pine-
fringed, unspoilt coves of the
Costa Brava on this six-night,
self-guided itinerary with
Inntravel. There’s an average
of 15 miles cycling a day along
mostly quiet back roads
(e-bikes available), with plenty
of opportunity to visit sights
along the way, including the
museum in Pubol, a castle that
Salvador Dalí bought for his
wife, Gala. Accommodation is
in small, characterful hotels,
the highlight being Hotel
Terramar in pretty Llafranc,
where it’s worth bolting on
some extra days for the beach.
Details Six nights’ B&B from
£758pp, including four
dinners (inntravel.co.uk).
Fly to GironaFAMILY FUN
IN THE AZORES
Snorkel with dolphins
and be wowed by
whale-watching during
an action-packed seven-
night trip with Activities
Abroad, taking in thearchipelago’s dramatic
volcanic landscape. Based on
the biggest island, Sao Miguel,
there’s kayaking on one of the
twin lakes of the Sete Cidades
and bathing in the thermal
pool at Furnas, where you can
lunch on codizo, a meat and
vegetable stew cooked using
geothermal steam. Stay at the
four-star Sao Miguel Park hotel
in Ponta Delgada with indoor
and outdoor pools and a spa.
Details Seven nights’
full board from £1,125pp
including transfers and
activities (activitiesabroad.
com). Fly to Ponta DelgadaSTAR-STRUCK IN PALERMO
King Edward VII, Errol Flynn
and Sophia Loren all stayed