Latest news with #GavinLapidus
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The gorgeous islands dubbed 'Hawaii of Europe'
A gorgeous set of European islands have been described as the continent's answer to Hawaii with 'Caribbean-style luxury' - and it's not hard to see why. The Azores, an autonomous region off the coast of Portugal, are known for their tropical landscapes which make them feel like they're somewhere far more exotic than Europe. Gavin Lapidus, a travel expert and the founder of eShores, says: 'These volcanic Portuguese islands are Europe's best-kept secret. 'Think Caribbean-style luxury with an eco-conscious soul - dramatic coastlines,mystical crater lakes, and world-class whale watching, all powered by sustainable initiatives. 'Shorter flights from the UK make this archipelago even more appealing. Each of the nine islands has its own distinct personality, from the thermal pools of Sao Miguel to the perfect cone of Pico Mountain, making island-hopping an irresistible adventure.' Sao Miguel is the largest Azores island and has an international airport, making it the starting point for many adventurers. Known as the 'Green Island', Sao Miguel is an incredible spot for whale and dolphin watching. Holidaymakers are in with a chance of spotting bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, blue whales, minke whales. Tourists can also head to Sete Cidades, to see the island's spectacular twin blue and green lakes. The lakes differ in colour due to their varied depths, the deeper blue lake reflects the sky, while the green shallow lake reflects the green surroundings. Sao Miguel's Furnas Valley is a dormant volcanic caldera with plenty of thermal pools to take a dip in. At the island's Terra Nostra Park, tourists can relax in iron-rich thermal water at temperatures of 37 degrees. But Sao Miguel isn't the only island worth exploring. On Pico, known as 'Mountain Island', tourists can enjoy locally produced wine and tackle Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal. If it's beaches you're after, Faial has the best shoreline according to Lonely Planet which says its 'stretches of sand are worth visiting'. And Flores is known for its incredible natural beauty, which ranges from waterfalls to lagoons and volcanic craters. How to get to the Azores British Airways and Ryanair both offer direct flights to Sao Miguel. Once there, tourists can catch ferries or domestic flights to reach the rest of the islands. The flight takes just over four hours from the UK. Best time of year to visit the Azores The Azores can be visited year-round, but the water can sometimes be too choppy for boat tours in December and January. During July and August, the weather is warmest but the islands tend to be at their busiest. The months between April and September are the best time to see whales and dolphins. Language Portuguese is the official language in the Azores but English is commonly spoken, particularly in touristy areas. Currency The Azores uses the Euro as standard currency.
The Independent
16-05-2025
- The Independent
Experts' top tips to save money on your summer holiday
Soaring living costs are casting a shadow over summer holiday plans, as new research reveals that most Britons are seeking ways to trim their travel expenses. A OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK residents, conducted for the home-swapping platform Kindred, found that 83 per cent plan to reduce their holiday spending this summer. Meanwhile, 12 per cent of respondents have already managed to save on their holiday budgets. Among those who have trimmed their travel costs, 22 per cent said they were concerned about political or economic instability, 40 per cent had worries about to the increased cost of living, 36 per cent pointed to soaring travel prices, and 30 per cent said reduced disposable income was their main motivation for cutting back. To help you stretch your money further, we've turned to some travel experts to gather their best tips and tricks for saving on your summer getaway. Here are their suggestions, from when to travel and book, to the best tech tools to use to get a bargain. 1. Utilise technology 'Use multiple flight search engines to search for flights and have price alerts set up on your phone, which will notify you when the price drops for your preferred route,' recommends Gavin Lapidus, company director at travel company eShores. 'Browser extension tools can also track flight prices, find deals, and search for coupon codes.' Social media can also come in handy for this too. 'Join Facebook and Twitter groups as well as signing up to newsletters as companies may send discount codes,' advises Mr Lapidus. 'It can often work out cheaper to buy the 10kg bag when you first book your flight,' says Mr Lapidus. 'However, on less popular flights when there's enough space on the plane, the offer you will get at check-in to get the priority package will be significantly cheaper than the one you were initially offered. 'So, it's worthwhile considering how busy your flight is likely to be.' 3. Book one-way tickets 'By booking two one-way tickets, you get the flexibility of mixing and matching airlines, meaning you're not tied to a single carrier and their prices,' says Mr Lapidus. 'There will be so many more flight options to choose from, and at varying times of the day to suit your needs. 'Just be sure to check that the luggage requirements are the same across the airlines.' 4. Don't rely on last-minute deals While the allure of last-minute summer deal ads popping up on social media can be enticing, booking in advance generally leads to better savings. 'Always book as far in advance as possible,' recommends Mr Lapidus. 'While there are occasionally good 'last-minute' deals on flights and holidays, it's very dependent on how many seats are left on a flight – there may be none, or demand may be high, so prices can spike closer to the date of travel and you can end up paying more. 'Last-minute deals can be great for booking cheap, impromptu trips, but relying on them for a planned holiday can be a huge risk.' 5. Be flexible with airports You may have your favourite go-to UK-based airport, but being flexible can make a big difference to flight prices. 'When searching for flights, be sure to tick the 'add nearby airports' option, which will bring up a lot more flight options, possibly at a cheaper price,' recommends Mr Lapidus. 'It might even work out that another airport is closer to your destination, so it's well worth looking at. 'The same goes for the inbound flight, especially if you live in or around London or other well-connected areas.' Lucinda Faucheux, co-founder of Travel Support Circle, agrees and adds: 'Regional departures or alternative arrival hubs can come in cheaper and pairing flights with budget accommodation outside the main tourist zones stretches your money further.' 6. Consider booking experiences and transfers in advance You'll be surprised at how much you can save with a little bit of planning ahead. 'It's worth booking experiences or transfers in advance because doing it on the ground usually ends up being more expensive, especially in popular spots,' says Ms Faucheux. 'Accommodation-wise, house swaps or short-term holiday rentals with kitchens can save you a small fortune on meals, especially if you're travelling as a group or with kids,' says Louise Truman, founder of Plotpackers. 8. Wait until shoulder season If you aren't tied to the busy summer holiday dates, you can save a lot of money by waiting until September for your getaway. 'Don't get caught up in chasing the weather,' says Ms Truman. 'Shoulder season in cooler destinations can still be gorgeous and much cheaper. 'You might not be lying on a beach every day, but you'll get quieter streets, better availability, and more authentic local experiences.'
