EUROPEAN DELIGHTS

The glittering turquoise waters of the Mediterranean embrace dramatic coastlines, secluded coves and golden swathes of sand. Picturesque harbour-side villages, colossal mountains, chic island escapes – the beauty here is limitless. From lavish villas to stylish hotels, we have handpicked a selection of our favourite places to stay so you can enjoy the very best Europe has to offer.

ELOUNDA GULF VILLAS

Crete, Greece

In Greek mythology Crete was the birthplace of the god Zeus, and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled across your own slice of heaven when you arrive at the wonderful Elounda Gulf Villas. Hidden on a hillside above the Gulf of Mirabello, this peaceful retreat is popular with privacy-conscious A-listers looking to disappear from view.

The hotel is made up of 15 suites and 18 villas, all with sea views, and it would be perfectly possible to spend a whole week here without leaving your luxurious surroundings. The villas offer up to four bedrooms, a private

pool with Jacuzzi and a fullyequipped kitchen, with a private chef available to prepare you a special barbecue or a private candlelit dinner. The amazing spa pool villas even include a private fitness room, sauna and steam bath, allowing you to enjoy a wellness-focused escape without any compromise on privacy or personal space.

Of course, if you do want to get out and about then Crete has so much to offer, from the magnificent Palace of Knossos to the welcoming tavernas of Agios Nikolaos. A complimentary shuttle will whisk you down to the hotel’s Private Beach Club, just a 10-minute drive away, where sun loungers, parasols and beach towels are all provided.

Dining at Elounda Gulf Villas is a real treat. The Argo restaurant, named after Jason’s famous ship, serves up flavours from around the Mediterranean, including local Cretan specialities, while Daphni delights with exquisite fine dining, dreamy sea views and a superb wine list. There is also a stylish bar by the main pool where you can chill with a cocktail or a fresh organic juice, perfect whether you’re cooling off during the day or warming up for a night out.

Make sure you treat yourself to some time in the Elixir Spa Gallery, which features a sauna, Hammam, massage room and outdoor Jacuzzi. You can also enjoy yoga on the beach, get busy in the kitchen with Cretan cookery lessons, and brush up on your Vilanas and your Romeikos with a local wine tasting masterclass. Yiamas!

7 nights from £1,199 per person based on four adults sharing a Two Bedroom Elounda Pool Villa with Private Pool on Half Board. OFFER: Save up to 20% + Complimentary Half Board and trip to Spinaloga Island.

ST. NICOLAS BAY RESORT HOTEL & THALASSA VILLAS

Crete, Greece

St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Thalassa Villas is a luxury resort which exudes class and character, carrying a typically-Greek theme with modern touches throughout, offering stateof-the-art facilities and impeccable service close to the picturesque harbour of Agios Nikolaos. It is perfectly tailored for families and couples seeking a peaceful and private escape with a range of rooms and suites (plus our Club Suites offering Club benefits), and all with a spacious balcony or terrace with sea views and many with private heated pools and terrace gardens. The Thalassa Villas are steps away from the resort offering couples complete seclusion whilst families can enjoy private villa experiences with all the access to the resort facilities.

Relax by one of the two outdoor seawater swimming pools, enjoy a chill out night at the open air cinema, or partake in the wide range of watersports on offer including waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing and canoeing. You can even hire a private boat, or take a scuba diving or sailing lessons. To fully unwind, head to the fabulous Poisedon spa which features an indoor heated pool, Turkish steam baths and saunas, Jacuzzis, a range of private treatment rooms and a beauty salon. For younger guests, there’s the Mini Club for children aged 4-11 yrs (daily except Sundays) and babysitting on request. Guests are spoilt for choice with five exceptional restaurants offering Mediterranean, French, Asian & International cuisine and two bars; we recommend a visit to the buzzy Bonatsa Jetty Bar with a live DJ and fantastic cocktails to round off a perfect day.

7 nights from £1,129 per person sharing a Classic Double Room Limited Sea View on Half Board. OFFER: Save up to 25%.

7PINES KEMPINSKI IBIZA

Ibiza, Spain

As the ultimate hideaway on the White Isle, 7Pines is undoubtedly an Instagrammer’s dream - both for its dreamy sunsets and the contemporary design throughout. However, it’s not all show; 7Pines delivers the perfect blend of laidback luxury for families and couples alike. Nestled in a pine grove close to a secluded beach, accommodation here consists of spacious suites, some of which can be combined to form your own villa, complete with stunning sea views. During the day there are three

Situated on the beautiful palmstudded El Duque Beach and in one of the most prestigious areas of the island, the hotel blends contemporary luxury and colonial grandeur to create a truly exceptional resort experience. With a variety of elegant rooms, suites and villas all with a private terrace pools to enjoy and the soul of the resort, Pure Seven Spa, for when you need to relax and rejuvenate. At night, experience the very essence of Ibiza with Cone Club’s daily Sunset Ritual and the finest in Asian-inspired cuisine

7 nights from £1,019 per person sharing a Laguna Suite including breakfast. OFFER: Save up to 25%.

BAHIA DEL DUQUE

Tenerife, Spain

with dinner at The View. or balcony, Bahía Del Duque is ideal for families and couples alike. The resort’s nine exceptional restaurants each offer their own gastronomic experience. From Mexican tacos to Basque cuisine, there’s plenty to satisfy all palates here. Add in a world-class spa - which even offers a mother-daughter Teen Spa Experience – five swimming pools, plenty of watersports (approximately 10 mins by taxi from the hotel) and excursions, and this really is an outstanding resort with something for everyone.

7 nights from £1,035 per person sharing a Double Room Garden View including breakfast. OFFER: Save 20%.

PRINCESA YAIZA SUITE HOTEL RESORT

Lanzarote, Spain

The Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort is rightly feted as Spain’s most spectacular family resort, with an unparalleled array of facilities. The crowning glory is Kikoland, a 10,000-square-metre ‘resort within a resort’ where kids of all ages are kept busy throughout the day. There are cradles, bottle warmers and a baby pool for the tiniest tots; playgrounds and handicrafts for the slightly older ones; and the latest video games, DJ workshops and table tennis for those troublesome teens.

But what about the grown-ups? Fear not, because Princesa Yaiza has so much to offer, not least when it comes to dining in style. There are eight restaurants to choose from, running the gamut from classic buffetstyle fare to elegant fine dining and showcasing cuisine from Spain, Italy, Japan and more. Top billing goes to the gourmet Isla de Lobos, one of the best restaurants in the whole of Lanzarote, where the chefs use fresh ingredients from local producers, fishermen and the Finca de Uga farm.

There are also plenty of spots to enjoy a drink, including the adults only Cocktails & Music Bar, 4 Lunas, where the music keeps playing till 3am. La Papaya is the place to grab a fresh juice the morning after, and you can work off any excess calories at the Adult Sports Centre, which offers personal training, group exercise classes and a sauna. For something more relaxing, book yourself in at the beachfront Thallasso Spa Centre, with 50 treatment rooms spread over 2,000 square metres and a tantalising menu of treatments grounded in the therapeutic properties of the sea.

The resort is pleasing on the eye, with a classic Canarian vibe, and is set on a sandy beach with views across to neighbouring Fuerteventura. Accommodation is housed within the low-rise buildings that are typical of Lanzarote, and each of the 385 rooms and suites opens onto a private balcony. The Relax Rooms and Suites are exclusively for adults and come with additional benefits including à la carte gourmet breakfast and daily spa access, while the spacious two bedroom Family Suites are ideal if you’re travelling with kids.