Summer is just around the corner, but taking a break now means you’ll beat the crowds and those pesky peak season prices. With this in mind we’ve chosen some of our most stylish city and island breaks to help inspire you this April.
We’ve done all the hard work; you just need to book*. Secure your accommodation through i-escape, then follow our recommendations for travel, and voila! All you need to do is pack…
1. Pamper yourself in Paris – £311.50 per person (3 nights, 23-26 April)
What could be more romantic than Paris in the spring? Wander through blossom-filled parks, lounge by the Seine with a coffee and croissant, and climb the Eiffel Tower for a sunset view of the city. Stunning.
Stay: at Hotel Mayet, a fun, fabulous and very colourful hotel with easy access to the major sights. A 3-night stay in a Superior Double Room overlooking the courtyard comes to just £187.50 per person.
Travel: from London St Pancras to Paris with Eurostar for £114 per person, departing on Monday 23 April and returning on Thursday 26 April.
From the station: The metro will whisk you to the hotel for around £5 per person.
Total cost: £311.50 per person, including all taxes
More info: Getting to Paris and other accommodation options
2. Get away to Greece – £627 per person (5 nights, 24-29 April)
The Greek islands sell themselves; visit now to bask in the spring sunshine before the tourist hordes arrive. With stunning turquoise waters, whitewashed towns and fabulous Mediterranean food, Mykonos is one of our favourites.
Stay: at the seriously sexy Grace Mykonos, a glamorous hotel that’s cool and calm yet perfectly placed for dipping into the island’s funky nightlife. It’s offering 5 nights for the price of 4 from late April until July, making a 5-night stay in a Deluxe Room only £416 per person.
Fly: from London Heathrow to Mykonos (via Athens) with Aegean Airlines for £194 per person, departing on Tuesday 24 April and returning on Sunday 29 April.
From the airport: Hotel transfers cost around £17 each way.
Total cost: £627 per person, including all taxes.
More info: Getting to Mykonos and other accommodation options
3. Take off for Thailand – £1,303 per person (8 nights, 20-28 April)
Thailand is hot right now, in more ways than one. Opt for an island break in April and you’ll arrive just as peak season is drawing to a close, meaning you could have the stunning snorkelling and blissful beaches all to yourself. Expect short showers at this time of year, but not enough rain to ruin the fun.
Stay: at Lanta Pole Houses – authentic houses for 2-6 in Lanta’s Old Town that provide unique, characterful and peaceful places to stay. Plus, their reasonable rates mean they won’t break the bank: an 8-night stay costs just £212 per person.
Fly: from London Heathrow to Krabi (via Bangkok) with Thai Airways for £1,041 per person, departing on Thursday 19 April (an overnight flight landing on 20 April) and returning on Saturday 28 April 2012 (an overnight flight landing on Thursday 29 April).
From the airport: Take a taxi from Krabi for approximately £50 each way.
Total cost: £1,303 per person, including all taxes
More info: Getting to Thailand and other accommodation options
*Please note that only the accommodation may be booked through i-escape.com. The information on travel is provided as a service to you, and must be booked through other websites, as indicated. All prices and availability are correct at the time of publishing. The per person prices are based on 2 people in a double/twin room or an apartment for 2. Published on 2 April 2012.
