Holidaymakers looking to branch away from the stereotypical European beach holiday and add some flair to their summer can take inspiration from this selection of holidays around the world. Ideas range from the close to home, with island breaks in the English Channel to further afield, cycling through Finland’s archipelago with new hotels and packages to choose from. 

NEW- Walking holiday in the Ligurian Mountains

Head to the mountainous Italian region of Liguria for an eight night self-guided walking holiday which is new from On Foot Holidays (www.onfootholidays.co.uk). The walk is suitable for seasoned walkers (4-8 hours walking day) taking them along the Via del Sale (an ancient salt route on which salt was transported inland from the coast) and across the Ligurian Apenines. The first two days are spent walking through vineyards and woods before heading up to the Ligurian Mountain Ridge passing rural mountain villages, enjoying the best of Ligurian food and taking in the panoramic views. The walk finishes in the small fishing village of Camogli. Accommodation is in guesthouses, mountain lodges and farmhouses. 

The walk costs £870 per person, including eight nights B&B accommodation, meals and luggage transfers between hotels. Return flights from London Stansted to Genoa with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) start at £44. The walk is available at any time until November.

NEW- Rustic Menorca holiday in new renovated farmhouse, Torralbenc

New for 2013 and the latest addition to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ portfolio is the restored farmhouse of Torrabenc. The pretty white washed farm building on Menorca’s south coast has 27 rooms and cottages, each with private terraces or balconies. Take part in cookery classes and rustle up traditional Menorcan cuisine or spend the day at the nearby beach. Sip a cool, crisp rosé wine by the pool or enjoy a health-enhancing yoga session. For a selection of restaurants, bars and boutiques head to Cala’n Porter with its pretty bay. In the evening, discover the culinary delights of Menorcan cuisine in the Torralbenc restaurant.

Prices start at £618 for a three night stay.  For bookings, visit www.slh.com.

NEW- Indulgent late summer weekend on Herm

If there’s no time for a getaway this summer, take advantage of an indulgent weekend package from the White House Hotel on Herm from 4-6 October. The tiny island in the Channel Islands is just a couple of miles long and wide and is car and road free, making it an authentic getaway. The package includes two nights accommodation, canapés, prosecco and a four course dinner in the Conservatory restaurant on both nights, Champagne afternoon tea and brunch on the final day.
 

The package costs from £198 per person. For reservations call 01481 750075 or email hotel@herm.com. For further details visit http://herm.com/special-offers/. Herm is accessible with a flight to Guernsey with Aurigny (www.aurigny.com) from £74 return and a 20 minute ferry with return Travel Trident tickets from £11 per person.

Cycle through Finland’s archipelago

Explore the 20,000 islands that make up the Finnish archipelago on a weeklong cycling trip with Guild Travel (www.guildtravel.com). Starting in the city of Turku on the mainland, the trip covers 40 kilometres a day, hopping through the regions’ islands, which are connected by a system of efficient ferries. The most exciting stop offs include the island of Iniö, which is one of the archipelago’s remotest spots; Nauvo, the main archipelago island; Houtskär island, which has some of the region’s most challenging cycling and Naantali, an idyllic seaside town with cobbled streets and old wooden houses. The trip isn’t just for cycling with plenty of time to relax on the islands, sample local dishes and enjoy the views from the ferries.

Prices start at £784 per person including six nights B & B accommodation, three dinners, bike hire, island ferry fees, maps and route notes and luggage transportation between hotels. Trips depart on specific dates throughout June, July and August. Return flights from London Heathrow to Turku start at £143 return with Finnair (www.finnair.com).

-Ends-

For more information or images on these summer holiday ideas please contact Jules Ugo, Kate McWilliams or Amelia Astley Birtwistle at Lotus UK on firstname@lotus-uk.co.uk / 0207 953 7470.