Sometimes we want a holiday that’s all about putting the brakes on our increasingly hectic workaday lives, a holiday that gives us a chance to hit the reset button. We want guaranteed sunshine, great food, the murmur of waves gently lapping at a white sandy beach, and most importantly time with those we love.
But increasingly many of us want to combine that kind of holiday with a genuine desire to explore and learn about the country we’re travelling to, to get a sense of local traditions and the different ways people approach their own daily lives. In short, we want an authentic experience of the culture.
TUI Blue holidays aim to do precisely that, providing an experience that puts you more in touch with the local culture, whether through cuisine, excursions that avoid tourist traps and immerse you in the local environment, or via their Blue App, which provides tips on how to make the most of your destination and lets you tailor your holiday accordingly.
With that in mind, let us take you on a journey...
The real Italy
When it comes to drawing you in and giving you a sense of its authentic self, few countries are as seductive as Italy. Take the Lakes, for example. When the Romantic poets wanted to get a sense of Italy back in the 19th century, this is one of the places they came.
Whether it’s Garda, Maggiore, Como, Lugano or Iseo, each lake has its own distinct local character. The Milanese tend to opt for Lake Como, just an hour from the city, with its deep, calm waters and the Alps standing like giants in the background. Head for the Medieval town of Menaggio with its narrow streets and famous promenade.
Lake Maggiore is the second largest of the lakes after Garda, and it contains the unmissable Borromean Islands, just north of the town of Stresa, and dominated by grand palazzos and botanical gardens. Here the atmosphere of old Italy is so close you’ll feel you can touch it. If you’re staying in Stresa, try one of the palatial hotels, like the Regina Palace, which offer stunning views across the lake.
When people think of authentic, rustic Italy, they invariably think of Tuscany. It’s also arguably Italy’s best region to combine beach and city, with places like Florence, Pisa and Livorno, full of Italian history and tradition, as well as the glamorous beach scene at places like Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio – try the Grand Forte dei Marmi Hotel right on the beach.
If you want to find out about Italian wine culture, head inland to Montaione with its lush Chianti-producing vineyards. The Il Castelflfi is situated on a sprawling country estate that includes its own vineyard and olive grove, and you can learn how both have been produced in this region of millennia.
And why not take a course in Italian cooking at the Rosso Toscano Cooking School while you’re here?
Across the Adriatic
On the other side of the Adriatic you’ll find Croatia, a country that shares much of its ancient history with Italy, yet retains a culture rich in its own unique traditions. Along its beautiful long coastline is the Makarska Riviera, a mixture of pebble and sandy beaches, and a perfect location to explore some of Croatia’s famous islands, like Brač and Korčula.
At Tucepi, just south of the town of Makarska, is the TUI Blue Jadran, set right on the beach and looking out over the Adriatic and Croatia’s islands, and backed by the stunning Biokovo mountain range.
Classical education
If you want to combine sun-bleached relaxation with an authentic taste of history, few places can compete with Greece. The island of Crete was home to the ancient Minoan civilisation that ruled 4,000 years ago, and the Palace of Knossos is a must-see, as is the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. But Crete is also an island where cultures have mingled over time, so you’ll see Renaissance mansions rubbing alongside mosques and Byzantine frescos.
For a base to explore this remarkable heritage, head to Almyrida, a Cretan fishing village in the Chania Area on the west of the island. Here you’ll find the Aloe Boutique and Suites, a newly opened resort and close to the Minoan ruins of Aptera. Head there in September and you can also enjoy the Sardine Festival in Chania, with traditional dancing and live music, and where the freshly caught and grilled sardines gets washed down with plenty of Cretan wine.
Totally Turkey
Take a sail a little further northeast of Crete and you arrive on Turkish shores, in particular the Dalaman Area, the location of such coastal towns as Marmaris and Sarigerme.
Known as the Turquoise Coast, it boasts Blue Flag beaches and some of the world’s greatest historical sites like the Roman city of Ephesus, arguably the best place in the whole of the Mediterranean to get an authentic sense of what life was like in ancient times.
Set up camp at the TUI Blue Marmaris (adults-only), a secluded resort designed in the local style with terracotta facades and classical pillars, and nestled at the foot of pine-cloaked hills. The resort sits on a bay and has its own beach and its own marina, from where you can take water taxis to Marmaris to barter at the local bazaar.
If you are coming with a family, Sarigerme Park, also close to Marmaris, is ideal. Spread across tropical gardens on the edge of a Blue Flag beach, it’s the perfect jumping off point to explore Ephesus and another classical wonder, Didyma, with its famous Temple of Apollo.
All hotels featured in this article can be booked with TUI. Book your last minute holiday today!