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The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
How I did a luxury holiday in the Maldives for cheaper than a week at Center Parcs
I WAS lucky enough to travel to the Maldives recently – the stunning islands in the Indian Ocean, where the warm waters are teeming with tropical fish and turtles. The destination is - simply put - paradise. But what surprised me most about my exotic getaway wasn't the white sand beaches or the turquoise waters. It was the affordable price tag. A family holiday in the Maldives, it seems, may even cost you less than an activity-packed getaway at Center Parcs, right here in the UK. The cost of living crisis and newly-introduced taxes have caused the price of UK holidays to soar in recent years, with staycations setting families back eye-watering sums. New data from On the Beach showed that 34 per cent of Brits believe a holiday in one of Europe's beach resorts offers better value for money than a UK break. Depending on which resort you choose, there's endless fun for both kids and adults, as I found during my recent stay at the 4* Sun Siyam Olhuveli, in the South Malé Atoll. A whole week can be spent snorkelling through colourful reefs, sharpening up your racket skills on the tennis court and speeding across the ocean behind the wheel of a car that drives on water. After a short stint here, my opinion on the sleepy honeymoon hotspot had changed completely. There was so much to do that the destination felt somewhat like a Center Parcs, only with much warmer weather AND (here's the key point) it was cheaper – yes, really. So, can a luxury holiday in the balmy Maldives really match the great British getaway on price? I've crunched the numbers and the answer is yes. Center Parcs' Elveden Forest in Suffolk recently opened a number of luxury water lodges, set on its tranquil lake, much like the over-water villas that are synonymous with the Maldives. And much like the Maldives, Center Parcs is also bursting at the seams with activities. Archery classes? Yep. Watersports activities? Plenty of those. Indoor gaming areas? Teens will love that. But all of these activities don't come cheap. And, ultimately, that's what sways the price. 11 11 Travellers can bag themselves a seven-night all-inclusive break at Sun Siyam Olhuveli for £1,359pp for a family of four travelling in June 2025, outside of the school holidays, with Travelbag. This price includes all flights and speedboat transfers to the resort, too, plus a lot of activities and snorkel gear. It means that kids and parents can wander from their bedroom straight into the ocean or house reef to spot a plethora of fish. The cost above also includes an excursion, such as a sunset cruise where you'll take in breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean (keep your eyes peeled for dolphins). What else? On top of the bucket list experiences, dotted around the resort is a giant chess board, tennis and badminton courts and beach volleyball. Non-motorised water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding, Maldivian themed nights, evening entertainment and weekly prize giveaways are also included in the price above. So, for a family of four, the total cost racks up to £5,436, which admittedly does sound steep - and you will have to travel during term time to bag this last-minute deal. But what I love about an all-inclusive is that you don't need to spend a penny when you're there. And with these packages covering nearly every restaurant at the resort as well as certain drinks and cocktails, you're not missing out. Center Parcs, by comparison, looks a similar price at first glance, during the same time of year. A quick search showed that to stay in one of the resort's new waterside lodges at Elveden Forest during the same month next year will cost around £5,298 for one week. This does, however, sleep six guests instead of four - so you'll have room for an extra two kids or you can bring the grandparents along for babysitting duties. Food and drink is not included, though, and nor are most of the activities. And this is where the costs add up pushing it significantly over my Maldives trip. One lasagne will set you back a hefty £17 at Center Parc's Whinfell Forest resort, while a prawn spaghetti costs £18. Multiply that by a family of four and that comes to over £500 for just one meal each across the week. Extras like archery sessions cost from £21pp for 55 minutes, while paintballing costs £47 and kayaking is £15 for a double kayak for 30 minutes, all at Elveden Forest. It's easy to see how the prices can soar. That's not to say that Center Parcs doesn't have its perks. In terms of activities, this adventure holiday company is unbeatable and a small Maldivian island simply can't compete on scale. The prices can't exactly be compared like for like, either, with costs varying according to the time of year and number of people visiting. But if you're after something different, where you won't have to panic about spending money when you're there, booking a package further afield could be the way to go. One thing is for sure. The look of sheer excitement on your child's face when they spot their first turtle is something money can't buy.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Holiday from £200? On the Beach just dropped a mega sale with up to 60% off getaways to Spain, Turkey and more - but you'll have to act fast
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Looking to plan your next warm weather getaway? The On the Beach Mega Deal May-Hem sale is officially here, and shoppers on the hunt for a bargain will want to snap up an unmissable reduced getaway while they can. The 'mega' holiday savings event sees huge price drops across more than 200 hotels from Turkey to Spain, with deals costing from as little as £200 for a limited time. Whether you've got your eye on a Canaries escape, a trip to Greece or a warm Spanish getaway, there's truly no better time to book (Lindian Village All-Inclusive Resort Rhodes) That's right, from now until midnight on 4 June, you'll have the opportunity to save as much as 60 per cent on your next sunny getaway with On the Beach, perfect if you've been looking to plan your next unmissable holiday for less. Better still, On the Beach's holidays come with their Price Drop Protection perk, meaning if the price drops anytime 60 days before departure, you can claim back the difference in credit. One getaway we've got our eye on is at the Melia Lloret de Mar, Spain, with deals costing from just £273pp. With everything from stunning rooms, a choice of three restaurants and an excellent pool, the Melia Lloret de Mar is a hotel you and the family will absolutely adore. Whether you've got your eye on a Turkey escape, a trip to Greece or a warm Spanish getaway, there's truly no better time to book than during the Mega Deal May-Hem event. Ready to find your next holiday for less? Explore our top picks from the holiday savings event below or explore all On the Beach has to offer here. But be quick - these unmissable deals end at midnight on 4 June. On the Beach on-sale holiday picks
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The secret island dubbed 'Turkish Maldives' with MUCH cheaper prices and crystal-clear waters
A beautiful island in Turkey has been described as the country's answer to the Maldives. Suluada, which means 'Water Island', sits off the coast of Antalya, one of Turkey's leading tourist destinations. Despite its proximity to Antalya, the island is completely uninhabited making it a peaceful retreat for tourists looking to escape the crowds. Visitors can reach the secluded paradise by taking a 40 minute boat trip from Antalya. Villa Plus says: 'Upon arriving visitors are greeted with a sight that seems straight out of a postcard. 'The island's coastline is fringed with fine, powdery white sand and the azure waters beckon for a refreshing swim.' It adds that the island has managed to retain its 'unspoiled natural beauty' with 'minimal development'. Suluada's crystal-clear water is a haven for wildlife with tourists in with a chance of spotting dolphins and monk seals. Suluada has two beaches suitable for swimming while visitors can also head inland to hike among olive trees A tourist 'Nadine M' writes on Tripadvisor: 'Superb beach. Beautiful landscape. Very beautiful beach.' 'Eliff' writes: 'Turkey's Maldives. Excellent sea. The water is perfectly clear. It's a must.' Suluada has two beaches suitable for swimming while visitors can also head inland to hike among olive trees. And plenty of Brits are choosing to holiday in Turkey this year. Research by holiday company On the Beach has revealed that Turkey is the most popular summer destination in 2025. It reports that bookings to Turkey have risen by 54 per cent in two years with Antalya one of the country's leading destinations.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The most popular destination for Brits has been revealed - and it has a beach with the warmest sea in Europe
The UK's top destination for summer holidays has been revealed and Spain and Greece have missed out on this year's crown. According to research by On the Beach, it's Turkey that's this year's leading summer destination. More Brits than ever are heading to Turkey with bookings rising by 54 per cent in two years. Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, says: 'Turkey is the king of summer once again. 'Their incredible all-inclusive offering, combined with guaranteed sunshine and purpose built, luxurious hotels has become a major pull for Brits. The rise of this great holiday destination continues!' And a Turkish beach has recently been named the warmest in Europe. Konyaalti Beach in Antalya has the continent's warmest seas at 27.8 degrees celsius, according to research by Iglu Cruise. So it's no surprise that Antalya is one of Turkey's leading destinations for Brits. On the Beach says the resort area on Turkey's beautiful Turquoise Coast has seen a 17 per cent increase in visitors over the last year. Spain's Canary Islands are this year's second-most popular destination with Brits seemingly undeterred by the recent wave of anti-tourist protests. Mainland Spain rounds out the top three while the country's Balearic islands are the fourth most popular spot. Greece is this year's fifth most popular holiday destination while Egypt takes sixth place. Tunisia enters the top 10 most popular summer hotspots for the first time this year, snatching 10th position in the ranking. According to On the Beach, Brits are mostly opting for all-inclusive breaks this year. Just over six in 10 holidays (62 per cent) booked with the brand are all-inclusive. Zoe says: 'It's been 75 years since the first package holiday and clearly Brits still love a deal with all the trimmings. 'All-inclusive is now the nation's favourite way to holiday, it's putting your wallet on do not disturb. 'No surprise really, who wouldn't want unlimited pina coladas and zero stress? It's sun, fun and absolutely no need to split the bill.' Portugal, the UAE and Cyprus are also among this year's most popular summer destinations for holidaying Brits. Meanwhile, if it's a city break you're looking for, a stag do favourite has topped the list of best-value destinations.
Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
British holidaymakers ditch US for Canada over Trump
Many Canadians have themselves been boycotting the US and looking to holiday further afield, the Caribbean included. A Tui spokesman said the US may find favour again as the slump in bookings causes the price of rooms and flights to fall, making them more affordable. Virgin Atlantic has reported continued strong bookings for American breaks, fuelled partly by the weakening of the dollar against the pound. Separately, Mr Ebel said British bookings for Tui's beach holidays had jumped since the May bank holiday, after being held back by the late Easter. He said Tui's relatively affluent customer base was showing little sign of cutting back on holidays despite the high cost of living. Those families that are finding affordability 'more challenging' are showing switching to cheaper countries. He said: 'If they can't afford Spain, they go to Tunisia or they go to Cape Verde, which is very successful, or Egypt.' On the Beach said earlier this week that Britons were increasingly heading to the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa to secure the same standard of hotel that they might previously have booked in Spain, but at a cheaper price.
