Alternative Florida
Beachgoers
at Jimmy B's beach bar, Fort Myers, Florida
Forget
Orlando, Walt Disney World and Miami and head to Fort Myers and its surrounding
islands on the Gulf coast this Easter. It's like stepping back in time to Old
Florida. Families will enjoy some of the best beaches for shell collecting, as
well as the chance to island-hop on the 100 barrier islands and explore nature
reserves.
British Airways is offering a seven-night break at the Hyatt Regency
Coconut Point in Estero Bay for £956pp including return flights from Heathrow
to Miami, based on a family of four travelling from 30 March-6 April. For more
information on the area see fortmyers-sanibel.com
Art and
design in Helsinki
How about
flying to Helsinki for a long weekend? It's still chilly at Easter, but you
will skip the summer crowds and prices. Head to the design district, which made
the city the World Design Capital in 2012, or experience modern Finnish art at
the Kiasma and older art at the Ateneum then relax in a sauna. Return flights
over the Easter weekend with Finnair start at £193. The four-star design Klaus
K hotel in the city centre has doubles over Easter from £125. See
visithelsinki.fi/.
Fireworks
in Florence
Florence's
Easter parade culminates in Scoppio del Carro, or “the exploding cart”.
Southern
Europe is a great destination for Easter, with religious parades and festivals
across the region. In Florence, events culminate in Scoppio del Carro, or
"the exploding cart", when a cart filled with fireworks is torched on
Easter Sunday. Rent a nearby villa so you can see the spectacle and then
retreat to your own space. At Pretaccione, a hamlet in Chianti, villas sleeping
six with private terrace and garden and access to a pool and tennis court cost
from £705 for a week. Return flights in the Easter holidays with easyJet from
Gatwick to Bologna cost from £250, and with Ryanair from Stansted to Pisa from
£200.
Family
cycling in Liguria
The Italian
region of Liguria offers thousands of miles of coastal and mountain paths,
ideal for all abilities on a family cycling trip. Area 24 in western Liguria
covers 24km of disused railway tracks, which have been transformed into cycle
paths through eight coastal towns, offering sea views and stopping-off points
at beaches. Those seeking a more adrenaline-fuelled trip can plan routes on the
Alta Via Dei Monti Liguri, a cycle route covering more than 700km, from coastal
towns to Alpine peaks. Stay in Hotel Medusa , a specialist cycling hotel in
Finale Ligure, for £117pp from 2 April, based on a family of four sharing. The
hotel has recently been renovated and sits on the Finale Ligure seafront in
west Liguria. Guests can use the bike room and bike workshop, hire bikes from
the hotel and use the free bike shuttles to get to Liguria's top biking areas.
Return flights from Gatwick to Nice start at £198 over Easter weekend with
British Airways. See turismoinliguria.it.
Gastronomy
in Guernsey
Jerbourg
Point, Guernsey.
Head to
Guernsey to experience landscape and gastronomy on a "Tasty Walk"
this Easter. The island's latest tourism campaign offers three themed walks
exploring Guernsey's history, landscape and gastronomy, and ending with a
traditional meal. A Tasty Walks package for two including three nights at the
four-star Fermain Valley Hotel in St Peter Port with breakfast, flights from
Gatwick and car hire, costs from £263pp with Channel Islands Direct.
visitguernsey.com.
Retreats at
home
In secluded
mid-Devon, close to the historic market town of Crediton, Middle Hollacombe
Farmhouse is a former "longhouse", which sleeps six and has been
refurbished in contemporary style, though with traditional fireplaces. It costs
£1,344 (£224pp) for a week starting 29 March. Or head to Norfolk, and Corner
Cottage, a 1750 half-timbered property in Overstrand, close to the beach and
nature reserves, from £959 (£240pp based on four sharing).
• All
prices correct at time of going to press
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