Find your ultimate holiday with our best of 2023 list from across the globe!
Best for Foodies- Dalaman Turkey
It’s not only the colourful marketplaces and Blue Flag beaches that await you in Turkey, but also the fantastic variety of food on offer. If you decide to eat where the locals eat, then you won’t be disappointed. For an authentic, and affordable Turkish experience try out one of the little cafes or restaurants down by the waterfront. Pace yourself though, a mixed meze starter can be a meal in itself. Make sure to try the tasty traditional slow-cooked leg of lamb. Stay at the TUI Blue Grand Azur and tuck into the Eastern Mediterranean cuisine in the à la carte eatery. There are also show-cooking stations which lines up a mix of local and international dishes. You can even see the silhouette of Heaven Island in the bay from the restaurant as you enjoy your meal.
Best for Romance – Crete
If a dreamy romantic getaway is on the cards this new year, then Crete should be the destination of choice. If your idea of a romantic trip is combining sunbathing days with leisurely lunches and shopping, then the multicultural towns of Elounda and Agios Nikolaos should be on your list to visit. Walk through the streets of Analipsi, and be surrounded by fields, olive groves, gardens full of flowers and small, whitewashed cottages. Analipsi is close to some of Crete’s major historic sites and landmarks. Visit Heraklion to see a 15th century Venetian fortress or drive a little further to see the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Stay in the TUI BLUE Insula Alba to experience true relaxation with your partner. This adults-only hotel is a stone’s throw from the seafront and bars and restaurants are in walking distance. There is even a state-of-the-art spa which offers a selection of beauty treatments, sauna, steam bath and a heated indoor pool. If you want to stay fit on this relaxing holiday then you can stay active at the gym with the help of the BLUEf!t programme.
Best for Adventure – Costa Dorada
Costa Dorada is known for their warm, sunny weather. There are plenty of beaches where you can lay back and enjoy the heat. However, it is also perfect if you’re looking for a more adventurous holiday. Head to Salou where there is a go-cart track and a stomach dropping bungee rocket ride. You can zip-line and practice archery in the town park or go-hiking, biking and horse-riding. Cost Dorada is perfect for thrill seekers as they are bound to fall in love with PortAventura World, Spain’s largest theme park which is just a ten-minute drive from Salou. For an even wider selection of waterslides and watery play areas, visit La Pineda’s nearby Aquapolis. There’s even a surfing simulator here, which makes for great fun and even better practice. Stay in the H10 Mediterranean Village which has three pools, a swish spa and lots of activities.
Best Activity/Teenagers – Florida
Holidays to Florida, specifically Orlando, give you a taste of the American dream. Orlando offers world-famous theme parks, supersized shopping malls and great golfing greens. It is the undisputed theme park capital of the world. More than 50,000 acres of turf in the region are covered by amusement parks, with Universal Studios responsible for the majority. There are plenty of rollercoasters for children and teenagers to choose from. On top of all of that, Orlando is just an hour’s drive from a coastline that slinks down Florida’s east coast for almost 500 miles. At Cocoa Beach and Daytona beach there are plenty of water sports for the whole family. Stay at the Rosen Inn International to be just a few minutes’ drive away from Walt Disney World. The hotel has two swimming pools to relax by when you’re not enjoying the theme parks.
Best for Instagram Content – Ibiza
Ibiza’s reputation for being one of the world’s most impressive party islands is well deserved – but this is not all it has to offer. Travel back through time on a walk through the cobbled streets of Ibiza Town and take in the views of the pine forest landscape. Whether you’re a travel influencer, fashion influencer or just want to freshen up your Instagram feed, Ibiza is where you need to go to get that aesthetic, eye-catching shot. Stay at the Arenal Hotel to be right on the sands of the famous San Antonio Bay, where you will definitely get that Instagram worthy shot. Sea and sunset views are the speciality of the Arenal Hotel so make sure to head to the sun terrace or bar for the best view.
Best for Luxury – Kos
Holidays to Kos allow you to explore the entirety of the islands 112-kilometre coastline. Explore the north coast for some peace and tranquillity or the party central south coast for a livelier atmosphere. Venture over to the east coast for some natural scenery and ancient history or take a trip to the west for the most traditional experience filled with authentic Greek cuisine and great views. Stay in Psalidi to be surrounded by relaxation while also being a stone’s throw away from Kos town. The promenade is running parallel to the beach in Psalidi. Here there’s no shortage of restaurants serving wholesome Greek fare and friendly bars, too. Stay in the luxurious TUI Blue Oceanis Beach Hotel, which features two pools, a poolside bar, evening entertainment, a spa and fitness classes.
Best for young kids – Costa De Sol
Holidays to Costa del Sol make it easy to explore some of the region’s prettiest whitewashed villages. Wherever you stay in Costa del Sol, there is bound to be a huge list of nearby places to enjoy a day out. The trendy city of Malaga is excellent for shopping, sightseeing and energetic evening entertainment. Costa del Sol is perfect if you are travelling in a group with lots of little ones. Head to Benalmadena where there is a Sea Life aquarium, Selwo Marina and a garden filled with wild animals. There is also plenty of beaches to choose from where the young kids can play in the sand and paddle in the water. Stay in the Holiday Village Costa del Sol, where you can expect a kids club, evening entertainment and a beach club packed with waterslides, rubber rings, a pirate ship and loads more. Adults can enjoy the sea view in the jacuzzi with sunken water loungers while young children have their own splash pool.
Best History- Corfu
Corfu Town falls between 2 great Venetian coastal fortresses to the east and west. The modern capital offers beaches and boutique shopping. The narrow, maze-like streets and ancient castles of Corfu’s Old Town embody Greece’s world-famous past. Visit St Spiridon’s church, which has the highest belltower in town and is home to the mummified remains of the island patron saint. The Byzantine Museum of Corfu is a must visit as it houses valuables dating back to the 15th century. Relax by the calm water of Mon Repos Beach, which lies at the edge of the royal palace gardens. If you desire something more secluded with the chance to see wild rabbits hopping around, then take a ferry from Corfu Town to Vidos Island. Or set sail from Barbati and take a glass-bottom boat tour of the north-eastern coast. Stay in the central Hotel Alkion, that puts you in easy reach to bars and the beach in Sidari.
Best for Honeymoons – Rhodes
Holidays to Rhodes are all about the historical sites, picture perfect beaches and the long list of activities. Most people are drawn to Rhodes by the beaches and the amazing views. Soak up these views from the acropolis in Lindos. Rhodes’ interior is a patchwork of traditional villages and chalky mountains. Head to Gennadi where you get a village that has held on to a lot of it traditional charm, with a peaceful beach and family-run dining. Gennadi is perfect for newlyweds looking to relax on the beach, join in on some water sports and sip cocktails on the beach bar. Stay in the TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica. This luxurious resort has 6 restaurants, 5 pools, an adults-only restaurant and bar with swim-up and private pools available. Plus, it opens onto a beach with Bali beds and beanbags.
Best for Weddings- Majorca
If you’re looking to have a picture-perfect wedding overseas, then Majorca will be the dream location. With tiny inlets, sweeping bays and sandy coves all lapped by turquoise water, you’ll have the perfect backdrop for your photos. If you want a wedding weekend partying away, then Magaluf is the place to be, with neon-lit bars and bass-pumping clubs. Stay in Santa Ponsa to be in the perfect location, with Palma Nova and Magaluf 10 minutes down the road and Palma just half an hour’s drive away. H10 Casa del Mar will be the perfect hotel for the whole wedding party to stay at. Santa Ponsa’s main beach is only footsteps away where you can enjoy a boat trip around the island after your wedding. There’s also no shortage of evening entertainment in the hotel for guests of all ages from mini discos to tribute bands. You’ll also be just a five minutes’ walk from the main nightlife strip, which is lined with restaurants, discos and even Irish pubs.
Find out more at www.tui.co.uk
