Enjoy a horticultural trip away this year

Wednesday, 6 April 2011 1:16 PM

What better time than summer to take a relaxing holiday while enjoying some of the world’s best gardens and horticultural delights.

The Majorelle Garden in Marrakech, Morocco is famed for its splashes of mind blowing blue. The subtropical oasis combines Islamic and Mediterranean elements with magical botanical bliss.

A week’s stay in the city is from £476 per person, staying at the four-star Hotel Tichka and includes flights from London.

The gardens of Madeira, thanks to its subtropical climate, remain a haven of colour throughout the year. Enjoy a guided tour of the island, interspersed with visits to the Funchal Botanic Garden, Monte Park, Quinta de Palmeira and the orchid collection at the Quinta das Cruzes Museum. The Gardens of Madeira tour departs Gatwick 13 November and costs from £1,186 per person.

The undulating green landscape of the Azores can be enjoyed from your own doorstep with break to the Hotel Terra Nostra Garden. Situated in the peaceful spa town of Furnas and surrounded by a sweeping valley landscape, this classical hotel boasts a world-famous botanical garden. A seven-night stay costs from £573 per person.
 

Even the train stations are stunning in Spain

Escape the strikes and travel differently...by train

Planned strikes by Spanish air traffic controllers are expected to last through the Easter and summer holidays. However British travellers can heart from the fact the railways are running in Spain and taking the train will add something different a Spanish holiday this year.

Don't miss Bath in Bloom

Don't miss Bath in Bloom

If you are planning a staycation then there may be few better times to book holiday homes in Bath than when the city's Bath in Bloom event is in full swing.
Hamburg is a great weekend break destination

Enjoy a short summer break in Hamburg

If you're keen to go on an action-packed break this summer, but don't have too much time to devote to a holiday, it is a good idea to select a destination that you can get to quite quickly. One such location is Hamburg, with the German city a fantastic place to take in some culture while enjoying the sun on your bones.

 Get away from it all and enjoy a ski weekend

Get away from it all and enjoy a ski weekend

Enjoying long days of hitting the slopes followed by evenings warming yourself next to a log fire or hanging out with friends in a bar might sound like an ideal break to you. If so, skiing holidays could be your idea of a perfect getaway. Read on to find out why.
Enjoy an extravagant short trip to Las Vegas

Enjoy an extravagant short trip to Las Vegas

Las Vegas has plenty to offer people looking for a short trip away. Whether you are planning to spend your entire holiday in Sin City or are visiting as part of USA tours, you'll find no problem in filling your time here.

Enjoy a sunny holiday in the Canary Islands all year round

Enjoy a sunny holiday in the Canary Islands all year round

Summer holidays are the most important part of the year for many people, but if you want to soak up sunshine outside of the peak season, the Canary Islands could be the place to visit. Take a cruise there and you could enjoy a short getaway that will see you refreshed and rejuvenated.

Shropshire is a great place for nature lovers

Get away from it all in Shropshire

A holiday, even if it's just a long weekend, presents a great opportunity to take a step back from the pressures of day-to-day life and relax. However, it'd be a mistake to think that a break always has to involve travelling overseas. Indeed, there are many places within the UK where you can take fantastic short getaways, among them Shropshire.

 Enjoy great culture in the Isle of Wight

Enjoy a cultural break in the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is a fantastic destination for all kinds of holidaymakers, from families to activity lovers, while its position as one of the warmest parts of the UK makes it a good place for sun-lovers. It is perhaps, however, particularly suited to culture vultures.

Coffee with a local in Amsterdam

Amsterdam

This week IdealShortBreaks.co.uk is in Amsterdam drinking strong black coffee with local Machteld Ligtvoet, who gives us tips on some of his favourite local haunts – including where you can go to find one of the best views of the city.

Editor's Blog: Learning to play polo

Esme Fox learning how to play polo

To mark the launch of this summer’s MINT Polo in the Park, Esme Fox decided to try her hand at the sport and see what it’s all about.