The Sunday Times April 3, 2022 11nearby Crummock Water and
Loweswater, or more
challenging hikes to the
summits of the Western Fells.
After all that sit back with
afternoon tea in front of the
picture window overlooking
Buttermere. Comfortable
rooms — a mix of singles, twins
and doubles — have views of
the lake, garden or hills.
Details Three-nights’
half board from £490pp
(ramblersholidays.co.uk)GLAMPING IN DORSET
Let the brood run wild at
Deerland Safari with a stay
on an organic farm near the
Jurassic Coast. The safari tent
manages to achieve country-
cottage chic, with bunk beds
for the kids and a kitchenette.
Although there’s no en suite,
an eco-loo and hot shower are
in an adjacent hut. On chilly
evenings guests can gather
around the charcoal brazier
on the deck, from which they
may be lucky enough to spot
fallow and roe deer in the
adjacent woodland. Go
fossil hunting at Lyme Regis
and explore local beaches
such as Lulworth Cove and
Durdle Door.
Details Three nights’
self-catering for four
from £564 (quality
unearthed.co.uk)ISLAND LIFE IN TENERIFE
Location is the big selling
point at the Moorish-style,
adult-only Iberostar Grand
El Mirador, which has direct
access to the promenade
behind Playa del Duque, one
of the island’s best beaches.
It’s also 20 minutes’ stroll to
the waterfront restaurants of
La Caleta. There’s a beautiful
pool with columned arches
and Moorish towers, and a
sprawling spa. All of the 124
suites are decked out in pale
pastels with canopied beds,
marble bathrooms and at least
a glimpse of the sea. Buffet
breakfast is on the seafront
terrace and there are two à
la carte restaurants serving
Canarian cuisine and seafood.
Details Five nights’ B&B
from £1,599pp, including
flights and transfers
(prestigeholidays.co.uk)WILDLIFE THRILLS
IN COSTA RICA
Zip through the Arenal
rainforest and tube down
the Celeste river on this
adrenaline-filled trip that
celebrates the country’s
“rich coast” name. You can
spot everything from keel-
billed toucans, squirrel
cuckoos and howler monkeys
in Arenal to three-toed sloths
and sea turtles on a sunriseboat tour through the canals
of Tortuguero National Park.
Other highlights include a
hike to the base of the Arenal
volcano and bathing in the
hot springs, and a rafting trip
down the Sarapiqui river.
Details Eight nights’ B&B
from £3,399pp, including
flights, transfers and some
other meals. Suitable forover-nines, departs on Friday
(familiesworldwide.co.uk)BRECON BEACONS
WITHOUT THE CROWDS
Avoid the Easter crowds
slogging to the 886m
(2,907ft) summit of Pen y
Fan and choose the quieter
riverside walk up nearby
Craig Cerrig Gleisiad, a
natural amphitheatre with
spectacular cliffs just off the
A470. Or take a gentle amble
along the Monmouthshire
and Brecon Canal, watching
the boats negotiate the locks.
The bookshops and
boutiques of Hay-on-Wye are
30 minutes’ drive away. Stay
in one of eight rooms at the
Felin Fach Griffin, a gastro
pub just outside Brecon
with four-poster beds and
cosy Welsh blankets.
Details B&B doubles from
£153 (eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk)BLUEBELL RAMBLES
IN THE LAKES
Look out for the carpet of
bluebells on the way to the
summit of Rannerdale Knotts
on this walking break in the
unspoilt western Lake
District. Your base is Hassness
Country House, on the shores
of Buttermere, from which
you can choose gentle valley
or lakeside walks, taking inLlafranc on the
Costa Brava
and, top, Villa
Igiea in Palermo.
Left, Sao Miguel
in the Azores,
where you can
snorkel with a
dolphin, far leftspa, while kids’ clubs catering
for 4 to 17-year-olds offer
everything from video games
to scientific experiments and
cookery classes. Choose from
two restaurants or a freshly
cooked waffle from the food
truck.
Details Seven nights’
all-inclusive from £899pp,
including flights and private
transfers (tropicalsky.co.uk)GÎTE STAY IN BRITTANY
Set in bucolic countryside,
this family-friendly stone
cottage is only 400m from
Romillé, a village with
everything you need — shops,
a bar, restaurant and weekly
market. The open-plan living
area has an inglenook fireplace
and the house is so well
equipped there’s no need to
bring baby paraphernalia — a
cot, high chair, stair gate and
baby bath are all provided.
The enclosed garden is dotted
with fruit trees, and has a patio
and loungers (the gîte’s English
owners live next door). Go
swimming or kayaking, or hire
a pedalo at the tree adventure
park Domaine de Trémelin,
a 15-minute drive away.
Details Seven nights’
self-catering for four from
£716, including return ferry
from Portsmouth to Caen
(brittany-ferries.co.uk)ALEXANDRU MAGUREAN/GETTY IMAGES; PAWEL KAZMIERCZAK/ALAMY