So, you’ve been lucky enough to get your hands on a £500 i-escape gift card. But how to spend it? We asked the professional dreamers in the i-escape team for their top tips…
1 Sunshine in Skiathos
Michael, i-escape Head of Hotel Partnerships
A £500 gift card goes a surprisingly long way on the Greek island of Skiathos. I love that these beachside villas are just steps from the shore, and the sea views from Koula’s House look mesmerising. Since they’re only a 10-minute taxi ride apart I could easily enjoy a few days at each. By September the crowds have died down, but the seas are still warm enough to swim in, and I could enjoy a week’s holiday for £22 with the help of a £500 gift card!
2 The ultimate glamping experience
Ben, i-escape Bookings Consultant
As a big camping fan I’m no stranger to spending a night under canvas, but with a £500 i-escape gift card I’d be tempted to treat myself to something a little more glamorous. These inviting shepherds hut hideaways are on a National Trust estate on the edge of Dartmoor, so I could spend the day exploring the sprawling grounds before returning to stargaze beside the firepit. There’s an exclusive 3-night offer for i-escape guests, so combined with the gift card I could treat myself to a long weekend for just £55!
3 An Atlas mountain escape
Rosanna, i-escape Editorial Assistant
I’ve been dreaming of a visit to the Atlas Mountains, and this fabulous country estate in the foothills is top of my list. It’s just 35 minutes in a taxi from Marrakech, so I’d pair it with a few days in the city and unwind after the chaos of the Medina. Temperatures are still in their mid-20s in November, so I could enjoy some hiking during the day, before returning for dinner in the much lauded restaurant. A £500 gift card would cover 3 nights in a Farmhouse Terrace room in the autumn months.
4 Live like a local in Lisbon
Marta, i-escape Bookings Consultant
Lisbon has been at the top of my must-visit list for a while now. I love the idea of living like a local in one of these stylish apartments in the vibrant Baixa district, breakfasting on complimentary fresh bread from the local bakery and freshly squeezed orange juice before a day of sightseeing. Since the apartments are great value, a £500 gift card would cover a 2-night stay in the Penthouse, from which I could soak up the views from my private balcony!
5 Cosy gastropub weekend
Kate, i-escape Head of Reservations
I love the look of this gastropub-with-rooms in the idyllic Berkshire village of Goring-on-Thames. Since there’s no need to drive – it’s a 2-hour train ride from i-escape HQ in Bristol, or a 1-hour trip from London – it’d make an easy weekend break. Plus, it’s the perfect setting for riverside strolls in the summer or curling up in an armchair beside the crackling fire in the winter. Whichever time of year I visit, a £500 gift card would be enough to splurge on a stunning Luxury Suite with its indulgent freestanding bath.
