Where to go

🤠 Texas | 🐾 Tanzania | ⛵️ North Macedonia

22 March 2024

Adventure

The tiny island of Rodrigues is just a 90-minute flight from Mauritius, but it feels a world away, says the FT. While its famous neighbour welcomed nearly a million international tourists in 2022, the “blissfully peaceful” island had only 13,000 – fewer than the British Museum gets in a day. It’s teeming with wildlife, including some 4,000 giant tortoises and two unique bird species, which can be spotted alongside lush forests and “mesmerising” turquoise lagoons. Flights from London Gatwick to Rodrigues via Mauritius cost from £868 return pp, airmauritius.com.

Shoestring

North Macedonia’s Lake Ohrid has all the beauty of Como for a fraction of the price, says The Independent. The lake itself is twice the size of its Italian counterpart, while the Unesco-listed Ohrid town is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe, with ancient structures including a 5,000-seat Hellenistic amphitheatre. There’s also a thriving local wine scene – the rolling green countryside around the town is scattered with boutique vineyards. Tui offers seven-night holidays to Lake Ohrid from £661pp, B&B, including return flights, Tui.com.

Luxury

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti in Tanzania is a solar-powered mobile safari camp that gives visitors unique access to the Great Migration, says Condé Nast Traveller. The camp is designed to “leave no trace” and is easily disassembled and moved to wherever the action is. Six luxury glamping tents sleep 12 people in total, with a central tent for meals and a campfire for late-night stargazing. From around £750pp per night, wildernessdestinations.com.

Hotel

Bowie House in Fort Worth, Texas is a new five-star gem which pays homage to both the local cowboy culture and its world-class art, says Texas Monthly. Opened by a former rodeo champion, the boutique’s 106-rooms are stuffed with sumptuous leather furniture, cowhide-backed chairs and art. There’s also a “barnlike spa”, games room and fine-dining restaurant. Rooms from $609, aubergeresorts.com.

Skiing

If you’re looking to squeeze in a last-minute ski holiday without re-thinking your budget, Turkey might be the place, says The Daily Telegraph. Erciyes, arranged around a 3,917-metre-high dormant volcano, boasts 150km of pistes (the same as Val d’Isère) linked by 19 ultra-modern lifts, the highest of which reaches 3,400m – ensuring fairly reliable snow. It’s much quieter than the Alps, with no queues and clear runs, and a lift pass costs just £1.50 per day. Turkish Airlines offers ski-in/ski-out packages to Erciyes from £900pp, B&B, including flights and transfers, turkishairlines.com.