TUI and First Choice Unveil Holiday Hotspots

TUI and First Choice unveil their top holiday hotspots for Summer 2020, including exciting new destinations

With the festive season behind us and the New Year well and truly started, it’s time to prepare for the year’s busiest holiday booking period. Summer 2020 is right around the corner and Northern Ireland’s leading holiday brands, TUI and First Choice have an exciting line-up of top destinations, designed to fulfil all your travel desires.

Northern Ireland holidaymakers can choose from a range of idyllic travel spots. Fly direct from Belfast International Airport to stunning locations such as Majorca, Kos or Dalaman or travel from Dublin Airport to Bali or the enchanting Maldives. This array of amazing destinations offers the ideal trip for every holiday-goer, including activity to entertain busy families, adventure for energetic young couples and gorgeous beaches for those searching for rest and relaxation.

Charlotte Brenner, Marketing Manager for TUI and First Choice says: “Summer ‘20 will offer outstanding choice to Northern Ireland holidaymakers and we are delighted to be constantly investing in and expanding on our destinations to ensure this choice grows every year, including our recent additions of Kos and Dalaman. Our fabulous concept hotels across our destinations also offer outstanding choice to our customers and allow them to book their ideal holiday, all at once!

We encourage everyone to plan and book now to secure the holiday that suits their needs as well as to avail of the early booking savings, low booking deposits and free child places.”

Check out TUI’s highly recommended hot spots for 2020:

Best for kids – Majorca

The biggest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Majorca has long been a favourite with the world’s travel pack. Year after year it leads the way with its short flight time, abundance of hotels and apartments and resorts and beaches that are ever so child friendly. On the Island TUI boasts its popular Holiday Village, two SplashWorld Resorts, three TUI FAMILY LIFE, three Suneo Club’s as well as a wide range of self-catering and all-inclusive hotels and apartments. Majorca is that reliable choice, one of those places you can book year after year, safe in the knowledge you are onto a winner especially if you have young children. The soft, sandy beaches of Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa and Cala Bona put this trio among the best destinations in Majorca. Their calm waters and selection of restaurants and bars means they’re firm favourites with families. It is also an island in which each visit can bring a different experience to the last, no wonder its top of the list for Northern Irish holidaymakers.

Best adventure – Tenerife

Some people head to Tenerife to just laze around in the sun on the island’s beaches. Some come over to revel in the nightlife scene. To both, we say, ‘Why not?’ But today, we want to recognise the adrenaline lovers who go in search of action and thrills. If adventure travel is the aim of your trip, then we can promise Tenerife will meet and beat your expectations. Flyboarding is the latest adventure pursuit on water that is taking the island by storm, it’s a cross between jet skiing and hoverboarding. You simply stand on a board or jet pack which is attached to a hose connected to a jet ski, and you’ll be travelling through the air. Perhaps you’d like to get your kicks not on the water, but from above. In that case, you’ll want to try some paragliding. The island tantalises adrenaline junkies who are seeking adventures on the waves with some superb beaches, ideal for windsurfing. Whether it’s your first time on the board or you’re an old hand, El Medano Bay is a terrific spot for all levels. The spot is popular the whole year round because of the sublime circumstances for surfing and windsurfing.  A wind speed above 25 knots will create the right for windsurfing, whereas anything below that is better for sailboats. Whichever activity you choose; you’ll be glad you choose Tenerife for your adventure holiday.

Best cruises – Marella Explorer

Marella Explorer is our biggest ship yet, with a bumper batch of 10 restaurants and 10 bars. There are fleet favourites like Snack Shack and Kora La, plus brand-new spaces like The Dining Club for foodies and a swanky bar, club and casino. The highlights don’t stop at food and drink, though. There’s also an indoor cinema, a Sports & Family Deck and a Champneys spa. Sail all Inclusive as standard. So, drinks, including prosecco and cider, meals in a selection of restaurants and most onboard activities are included in the cruise price. All Marella Cruises include tips and service charges in the price you pay before departure, plus return flights, airport transfers & port taxes and 27kg luggage allowance inc. hand luggage.

Best for solo travellers – Marella Dream

Globetrotting with friends is always fun but travelling alone is something you should do at least once in your lifetime. Stepping outside of your comfort zone on a solo trip leaves you feeling empowered and generates a satisfying buzz of achievement. Cruising is an ideal getaway for solo travellers. With a cruise, there’s no switching hotels or arranging transfers. There’s also plenty of dining options, on-board entertainment and shore excursions available to book at an extra charge which will ensure you see the very best of each destination. Sail all Inclusive as standard. So, drinks, including prosecco and cider, meals in a selection of restaurants and most onboard activities are included in the cruise price. All Marella Cruises include tips and service charges in the price you pay before departure, plus return flights, airport transfers & port taxes and 27kg luggage allowance inc. hand luggage.

Best for Luxury – Gran Canaria

Fragrant pine forests, sugary sands, cloud-scraping mountains and cosmopolitan resorts have kept Gran Canaria top of the holiday destinations for years. Featuring over 100 miles of coastline, this island is a firm favourite of beach lovers. While it’s known for its affordability, there are parts of Gran Canaria which offer a truly luxurious atmosphere.

Playa Meloneras is an upmarket town, situated on the island’s south coast. Expect high-end bars and restaurants, and indulgent shopping opportunities.  One of the most exclusive parts of Gran Canaria, luxury here is guaranteed. TUI recommend booking into the Lopesan Baobab Resort for a truly luxurious getaway. The African themed hotel has a unique atmosphere and boasts a great pool scene where you’ll find no fewer than seven pools. There are four restaurants, too – including a great African place – plus a clutch of bars offering live shows and cocktails. It’s also close to sand dune beaches and the nearby lighthouse and there is also a couple of Championship golf courses nearby for keen golf enthusiasts.

If you fancy travelling a little further afield in summer 2020, Bali is a great destination to consider. With its lush tropical rainforests, turquoise waters, stunning beaches and its laid-back atmosphere, Bali is as close to paradise as you can get. The tropical climate and unique scenery make Bali one of the top long-haul destinations in the world. Its landscape is a mixture of pristine beaches, volcanoes and tropical rainforests. It boasts beautiful ancient temples, and if you travel to Ubud you’ll be in Bali’s cultural centre, packed full of galleries and museums.
Its beaches are renowned for surfing, snorkelling and swimming. You can enjoy top quality spas, bars and restaurants if you head to the Kuta and Seminyak beaches. Don’t spend all of your time on the beach, check out some of Bali’s most famous sights, such as the extraordinary views you’ll see from the top of Mount Batur.

Few destinations can match the romance and breath-taking beauty of the Maldives. Famous for its majestic azure waters and crystal white sandy beaches, this unique destination has been a firm favourite among honeymooners for decades. Spend your days lazing by the pool sipping tropical cocktails, walking hand in hand along the picture-perfect beaches and enjoying the exquisite fresh cuisine. Or, if you crave a little adventure, why not take advantage of the island’s perfect surfing climate? TUI highly recommend heading to Northern Malé Atolls, world renowned for its incredible waves. With over 1000 beautiful islands to explore, the Maldives offers plenty of opportunity for romance. Explore the pristine lagoons, enjoy a romantic picnic on one of the many secluded beaches, or take a walk along the magnificent shorelines. If it’s romance and picture-perfect scenery you’re looking for, this is a tough destination to beat.

New destinations – Kos & Dalaman

Kos

The idyllic island of Kos has over 290km of beaches, from hidden bays and little-known coves to popular stretches of white sand. The Island of Kos is frequented by tourist’s year after year – and the best part is, we’ve recently added Kos to our destination list. The traditional whitewashed villages look stunning against the backdrop of the turquoise seas and almost guaranteed blue skies. Big resorts such as Kardamena, Kos Town, Tingaki and Marmari have everything you need to ensure a great holiday for the whole family, so read on to find out more about this Greek retreat.

Dalaman

Discover beautiful historic sites, stunning Blue Flag beaches and enjoy a lively nightlife scene in the popular Dalaman area. Known as the Turquoise Coast, Dalaman is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey and it really isn’t hard to see why. At TUI, we offer a huge range of Dalaman holidays flying directly from Belfast and no matter what type of holiday you’re looking to enjoy, the region has something to suit everyone!

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