Our travel team's favourite TUI holidays from African beach resorts to European bucket list hotels
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THE SUN's Travel Team have certainly racked up the trips abroad, travelling everywhere from Europe to Africa.
And as one of the UK's biggest tour operators, that means we've also done our fair share of TUI holidays.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
12
We've revealed some of our favourite resorts
Credit: google maps
So here are some of our favourite hotels we've stayed at on a TUI holiday.
Pickalbatros White Beach Resort Taghazout, Morocco
Morocco is the best place for five star luxury on a budget - and one that I loved was the Pickalbatros White Beach Resort .
Costing as little as £885 each for seven nights all-inclusive, you feel its grandeur when you walk in with the huge marble lobby and towering glass windows.
It's adult-only, with six pools to choose from and a beautifully golden sandy beach to watch one of the many surfers.
Stays include one free visit per stay to the speciality restaurant Azha, which offers up delicious authentic Moroccan cuisine.
Otherwise there is the Sachi bar overlooking the rest of the resort, as well as the pink sunsets.
- Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey
Bluesun Hotel Jadran, Croatia
The standout of this laid-back resort is not its jaw-dropping location (although waking up to panoramic views of Croatia's sundrenched coastline each morning is no tough feat), it's the breadth of wellness facilities.
As much as flopping on a sun lounger and catching a tan is my priority on holiday, I hate having to completely sacrifice my gym routine - and luckily I didn't have to at Bluesun Hotel Jadran.
There are health and fitness activities galore here, as well as water sports. And the best part is, they're all included in the price of a stay.
The African hotspot with TUI holidays set to be big next year
12
I loved the five star glamour as well as the fitness aspect
When I wasn't practising my downward-facing dog under the shade of a palm tree or getting my heart racing on the tennis courts, I was swigging back a spritz on the pebble beach and tucking into the freshest seafood – after all, the hotel does occupy a prime spot on the Dalmatian coast.
Think scorched octopus and garlicky, sizzling prawns.
The village of Tucepi, in which the hotel sits, is quiet, so don't expect any wild parties, but the historic city of Split is just over an hour away by car, while the rugged mountains that back the hotel are great for exploring by bike (these can be hired at reception).
For the more adventurous, there's also river rafting, canyoning and diving (all of which come at an additional charge).
Any tired muscles can be soothed at the on-site spa, which is as lavish as you'd expect from a five-star resort.
Both mountain-view and sea-view rooms are epic, but the sunsets over the ocean are some of the best I've ever seen.
Visit in October this year and you can stay for less than £700 each for the week.
- Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski
12
The views from the hotel pool are amazing
Credit: Google maps
12
But the sunsets over the ocean are beautiful tooo
Credit: Google maps
Hotel Riu Palace Tres Islas, Fuerteventura,
Brits are very limited when it comes to sunshine breaks with short flight times in February half term.
But after a very late booking last winter, where most of the big TUI family hotels were booked out, I lucked out with a lesser-known gem on the edge of Fuerteventura's Grandes Playas - at the Hotel Riu Palace Tres Islas.
At first glance of the website, I might have opted for a different hotel as it had no kids activities.
But this ended up being perfect for a relaxing holiday with my mum and five-year-old son.
The 50-year-old hotel doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a more modern resort, but the hospitality was outstanding and the location on one of the island's best beaches was unbeatable.
12
Our Fuerteventura hotel was the best location
Despite being fully booked, the hotel itself never felt crowded.
And the small number of other young families meant all the kids in the resort instantly became friends - and were easily monitored throughout the hotel grounds.
The food was great too, with no queues at the various restaurant stations, no matter what time you showed up - and some of the best all-inclusive dishes I've had.
Shout outs also to the wonderful TUI rep Samuel, a born-and-bred Fuertaventurean who gave us all his best local recommendations for exploring the island, and the charming bar staff who loved inventing elaborate mocktails for the kids.
- Head of Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire
12
The hotel was so big it never felt crowded
Credit: Google maps
Riu Baobab, Senegal
TUI launched the first direct flights to Senegal back in 2022, and I was the first to visit.
And the Riu Baobab remains their only hotel in the country, lining the Pointe Sarane coastline.
I was never bored at the resort despite staying there for seven days (and as a serial adventure-goer over a fly-and-flopper, that is saying something).
There are the four huge pools overlooking the beach, the swim up pool bars and the copious amounts of sunloungers to choose from.
12
The hotel swim up pool bar was where I was most afternoons
The hotel buffet changed enough to keep you hooked, as well as having local Senegalese food.
But I was seriously impressed by the specialty restaurants which can very often be a letdown. But the sushi at the Asian Dorayaki and the pasta dishes at Veneto were a highlight of the meals at the hotel.
But even with the pools and unlimited free drinks it was the staff that made it, always happy to chat, dance by the beach or being cheeky in general.
And if there is one thing you must do? Make sure you have a go or two on their on-site waterslides too...
- Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey
12
And the resort was right on the beach, with no other hotels near us
Credit: Google maps - Hotel Riu
Serena Beach Resort & Spa, Kenya
I visited Kenya for the first time with TUI, as part of their beach-safari combination holidays.
And while the safari itself was a fantastic experience (spotting baby lion cubs up close) the beach resort itself was a beautiful way to end the trip.
The Serena Beach Resort & Spa is stunning as soon as you walk in, with bright pink flowers and bush palm trees lining the gardens.
It has an intimately small swimming pool complete with a pool bar serving all the cocktails you could want.
12
My trip to Kenya wasn't all safari tours, with some beautiful beach hotels along the way
We then hopped over to the beach bar, with cushions and blankets lying on the floor making it the perfect place to watch the sun go down.
Trying the hammock after one too many drinks was certainly a challenge...
Food options include the buffet Fountain restaurant, as well as the pizzeria, grill and ice cream shack.
But you aren't coming here for the food, but for a good night sleep before an early morning safari - and its safe to say I passed straight out...
I can also recommend the Baobab Beach Resort & Spa in Diani Beach - just beware of the monkeys!
- Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey
12
It was small but intimate
Credit: google maps
4H Lapland Hotel Saaga, Finland
A trip to see Santa in Lapland is the stuff bucket lists are made of, but they've always seemed as out of reach to me as a trip to Dubai.
So I was pleasantly shocked by the four-night trip that my five year old and I took to Yllas in Finnish Lapland last December, which cost from £1,027pp on a B&B basis at the 4H Lapland Hotel Saaga, including flights.
The package holiday also includes a trip to the Snow Village with Santa meet-and-greet, snowmobile ride, ice palace visit and gingerbread-making, as well as a three-course Christmas dinner with entertainment on the last night.
The hotel itself was also great, especially for the price, with a decent breakfast and option to tag on evening meals, and a fantastic pool.Its location next to
Finland's largest ski resort meant we were able to squeeze in half a day's skiing too.
Plus,for those able to stay awake long enough after the day's activities, there was also the chance to see the Northern Lights.
- Head of Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire
12
I couldn't believe how affordable the bucket list trip was
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
easyJet launches new flights from Scotland to major European capital city
It will be the first time the Scots city has had a direct flight to the capital since before Covid OH LA LA easyJet launches new flights from Scotland to major European capital city Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOLIDAYMAKERS will be able to enjoy a trip to the 'City of Love' much easier this winter thanks to a new direct flight. Popular low-cost airline easyJet will introduce a new route from Aberdeen airport direct to Paris at the end of October. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The airline will offer the twice weekly service to Paris Credit: Getty - Contributor 5 L'Arc de Triomphe is a Paris icon Credit: Getty It will be the first time the Granite city has had a direct flight to the French capital since before Covid and will be the only direct French route from Aberdeen. The airline will offer the twice weekly service to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport from October 27, with flights taking off on Mondays and Fridays. The first flight to leave at 1.15pm and land in Paris at 4.10pm. The flights will run until the first week in January then stop briefly until February 2 and will then run until March 20, 2026. For those heading into Paris from Charles de Gaulle, the city centre is only half an hour away. Paris is one of the world's top destinations, offering hotels for every budget, famous French cuisine, history and culture, including L'Arc de Triomphe, Notrte Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and Le Louvre. 5 Sacré-Cœur Basilica is on the top of most tourists lists of things to see Credit: Getty 5 The entrance to Disneyland Paris Credit: Getty And north-east families can take advantage of the flights to head to Disneyland Paris. They can get there in just 10 minutes on the direct high speed train from the airport. There's a wide choice of hotels at the resort, including the 5* Disneyland Hotel, the 4* Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel, Disney Newport Bay Club and Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch. easyJet is Scotland's biggest airline and serves four Scottish airports, offering over 80 routes across Europe and North Africa. Chris Tibbett, Aero Director at AGS Airports, which includes Aberdeen International, said: 'We're thrilled that easyJet will launch this long-awaited route between Aberdeen and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Eva Longoria and Her VIP Celebrity Circle: Inside Lauren Sánchez's Paris Bachelorette 'This is a connection the city and wider region have been calling for, and we're proud to have worked closely with easyJet to make it a reality. 'The new service will provide vital links for both business and leisure travellers, with timings perfect for that romantic weekend city break or Disneyland Paris adventure. 'Paris becomes the carrier's fourth destination from Aberdeen, joining its existing route network to London Gatwick, London Luton and Geneva. We look forward to seeing the first flight launch this October.' 5 Toasting at Arch de triumph Credit: Getty It comes as the airline announced new route from Edinburgh to Barcelona, Innsbruck and Belfast. Ali Gayward, easyJet's UK Country Manager, commented: 'We're delighted to be offering yet another fantastic range of new routes, providing even more choice for our customers across the UK whether they're looking to escape on a city break, hit the slopes, enjoy a festive getaway or chase the winter sun. 'With flights and holidays now available on even more routes for the winter, we're providing greater direct connectivity for customers all across the UK to Europe and beyond and offering great value for money, always aiming to make travel easy.' Tickets ar eon sale now from £30.99pp one-way at
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Heading to Glastonbury festival? Don't make these mistakes – and follow our best hacks
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. How to beat the crowds in the most popular places, what to pack and the hidden gems to explore GLASTO TIPS Heading to Glastonbury festival? Don't make these mistakes – and follow our best hacks EVEN on a bad headliner year, Glastonbury is the best music festival in the world. The mix of music and other activities... and general vibe of the place makes it like no other place on earth. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The Sun's Bizarre, health and travel teams share their top tips for Glastonbury festival But it's also very large and very busy - it covers 1,100 aces (around 500 football pitches) and has a capacity of 210,000 people - more than twice the population of nearby Bath. It's also famously temperamental weatherwise - in my eight Glastonbury festivals, I've had everything from torrential rain and mud baths to scorching heatwaves. So failing to come prepared has the power to make or break you weekend, which is why we've compiled a list of all our favourite Do's and Don'ts for Glastonbury... to make sure you have the best time. Caroline McGuire, Head Of Travel - Digital (pictured bottom right, above) Beg whoever you know who owns a camping trolley (from £20 at Decathlon) to borrow it for the weekend - the site is enormous and you'll be carrying all your belongings a long way before you set up camp. Make sure to experience some of the unique areas that make Glastonbury so special - the theatre and circus fields, the Healing Fields, the Lost Horizon Nomadic Spa (aka secret nudist area with sauna, massage parlour and plunge pool). Speaking of which, don't just buy your food from the nearest vendor - make sure to make a pilgrimage to Permaculture, a shaded haven near the middle of the site that serves delicious food made from produce grown in their own garden on the site. Finding your tent can be tricky, especially when it's dark and you've had a few drinks - memorise some notable things near your pitch, like a flag or a gazebo. It's possible they're placebo, but my friends and I swear by Happy Tuesdays - vitamins that support your body's natural recovery while they sleep. We're convinced they help us deal with the post-festival blues far easier. Finally, stick a plastic bag or bin bag in your bumbag, so you always have something to sit on when it's a muddy and rainy weekend. 6 Bizarre's Jack Harwick, Ellie Henman and Howell Davies are Glastonbury pros Howell Davies, Associate Bizarre Editor (pictured right) Don't over-pack your schedule. You won't be able to see half of one set and half of another - and you'll spend the whole time walking, only to get nowhere near the stage. Don't wear uncomfortable shoes, even if they do look trendy. You should expect to walk a minimum of 25,000 steps a day and the last thing you want is blisters. Do plan individual outfits for each day, and pack them separately so that you're organised and not scrambling for pants or matching shorts. Do go off the beaten track to explore the activity away from the Pyramid Stage. That's where the maddest memories will be made. Ellie Henman, Bizarre Editor (pictured centre, above) Do scope out the best food places. You don't want to be stuck eating burger and chips every day, and there are genuinely amazing places to eat when you're there. Don't put up your tent near a path, at the bottom of a hill, or next to the loos - you won't get a wink of sleep with the banging of the doors, let alone the stench. Do pack an eye mask and ear plugs. You don't want to be woken up by the sun streaming in through your tent at the crack of dawn, having only just gone to sleep. Do walk up to the Glastonbury sign at least once. As well as spectacular views, there is a bar near the top. Jack Hardwick, Senior Showbiz Reporter (pictured left, above) Do make sure to carry spare toilet roll with you. Getting caught short miles from a toilet is no fun. Do take a refillable water bottle - there are loads of water points around the site These camping water pouches come with hooks so you can clip them onto your bag - fill some with water and two with booze. Don't leave it until mid-morning to leave on Monday. Getting off the site will take hours, so either get up early, or have a long lay-in and lunch before going. 6 Vanessa has been to the festival three times, and has finessed how not to lose your friends in the busy site Vanessa Chalmers, Assistant Head of Health, The Sun Take a flag. They are incredibly useful for finding friends in a sea of people - or for them finding you - as there is rarely phone service. Most flag poles bought online can be shortened, so you can easily carry it around with you when moving between stages. Drop any expectation at all that you will see who you want to see, especially if you are in a large group as it's hard to find your group again once you are split up. Choose one or maybe two acts you simply must see, and stick to your guns. Make something in the healing fields, or buy a souvenir, to take home! There is so much on offer. My friends and I have made a silver ring each year we have been. It takes about two hours. Follow @secretglasto on X, formerly known as Twitter, and turn on notifications. If you are lucky to get service, you might just be in the right place at the right time for a surprise set. We saw Fatboy Slim at Greenpeace completely randomly one Sunday afternoon, standing right underneath him in 'the tree'. There is no shade at Glastonbury. Well, certainly not enough for the number of people - there are so many crammed under the singular tree at Pyramid stage. So wear a hat! But if you are desperate, there is a hammock area in Park stage - near lots of camping - which is quite shaded. 6 Jamie Harris has the best tech tips for the festival Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun Definitely use Vodafone's new Glastonbury Festival app, as this will help you keep all the acts and locations organised - allow the notifications as well, as they'll let you know about surprise acts. This year they've added a handy feature to find your friends on the map if you lose each other. A power bank is a must but if you forget, you can buy a fully charged battery pack from the Vodafone tent. 6 Sophie shares her packing tips - including bringing the kitchen sink Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor You'll save cash and time queuing by bringing your own booze. There's a no glass rule and cans take up too much space. So fill a cool bag with boxed wine (ditch the box and take just the pouch). Or decant your favourite spirits into plastic bottles with a bit of mixer. I always pack a collapsible sink from The Range that costs a few quid. It's the most-used item among my pals at Glasto - when a pal fell in the mud, when I got sticky ketchup in my hair, and for clean hands when removing contact lenses. Pack a small bag, so you don;t have to venutre back to the tent for more supplies. Cram it with everything you need for the day: water, a portable charger, sunglasses, SPF, a jumper for when the sun goes down. Food for £6. It used to be 'food for a fiver' but this is nearly as good. Many food vendors commit to selling meal deals and dishes for £6. The scheme ran last year and although they haven't announced anything yet for this year, keep your eyes peeled on the blog posts. 6 Will reveals how to beat the crowds late-night at Shangri-La Will Hagerty, Associate Editor at The Sun If you intend going to Shangri-La on Friday or Saturday night, skip a headliner and head up there early, or you might not get in for hours. It's a long walk and they often close the area because it gets so crowded. Take something to sit on if it's likely to be muddy. I take a genius umbrella which doubles as a shooting stick stool. Go up to the Crows Nest, high above the Park Stage, for the best view of the site and the odd secret gig
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Spectacular' beach less than an hour from Glasgow named among best in UK
Elsewhere, TUI has announced two exciting new destinations from Scotland PICTURE PERFECT 'Spectacular' beach less than an hour from Glasgow named among best in UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A 'SPECTACULAR' beach less than an hour from Glasgow has been ranked among the best in the UK. The seaside spot was named alongside other locations, including Tynemouth Beach in England and Llantwit Major Beach in Wales. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Tourists and locals take advantage of the warm weather at Troon Beach Credit: Alamy Introducing the chart, The Telegraph said: "Whether you favour a traditional, bucket-and-spades affair, or prefer somewhere more peaceful, the coastline is the place to be on a sunny day. "And while some of the more remote spots require a car to reach them, many of our most spectacular beaches are perfectly accessible by train." Troon made the list in Scotland and is a short 45 minute train ride away, The Times, which compiled the list, added: "Close to cafes, shops and restaurants, Troon's popular beach is ideal for a summer day out. "A day on the esplanade might include a game of hide-and-seek in the Italianate garden, or a scramble over the climbing frame in the well-equipped playground. "Throughout the summer months, kite-surfers make it their regular spot. And the two-hour, two-mile treasure trail is a pleasing diversion regardless of the weather." Elsewhere, TUI has announced two new city getaways departing from Edinburgh Airport. The carrier is launching trips to Warsaw and Riga as part of its growing city breaks programme. With packages now available to book, these destinations are ideal for any last-minute summer escapes. Warsaw in Poland is one of Europe's most dynamic capitals, boasting Varso Tower - Europe's tallest building with a brand-new observation deck. English seaside town to transform abandoned beach shelters into new attraction While Riga in Latvia is famed for its amazing architecture and stunning artwork. Chris Logan, Commercial Director of TUI UK & I said: 'The demand for TUI City breaks has never been stronger, with 61 per cent growth year on year reflecting a real urban experience desire from travellers. "Riga and Warsaw are perfect additions to our expanding portfolio, offering a distinctive blend of history, cuisine and arts. "Both cities have been climbing travellers' wish lists, with each offering unique attractions for foodies, culture enthusiasts and history buffs alike."
