RT TRAVEL
BEST VALUE ROAD TRIP NORTH COAST 500
Spring’s the sweet spot: blossom-dusted glens, glittering lochs and Caribbean-coloured seas licking at beaches like Achmelvich and Gruinard Bay — only with sheep instead of sunbeds, and no midges! Factor in the lack of pricey vistas — and, indeed, other cars — and it’s the ultimate economical adventure: all the drama, none of the dollar. BEST VALUE ESCORTED TOUR SCANDINAVIA Scandinavia? A bargain? Well… yes. But only if you do it right. Go it alone and your budget will disappear faster than a cinnamon bun in a Swedish fika break. But book an escorted tour and suddenly this famously beautiful, famously pricey corner of Europe becomes entirely affordable. Why? Because those eye-watering transport costs, hotel rates and £8 coffees are all rolled into one neat, pre- paid package. Better still, you’ll get guides who speak the language and understand the sauna etiquette, seamless travel between fjords and forests, and someone else to worry about ferry timetables. Also, the punch-for-pound ratio is unbeatable: many itineraries offer three countries for the price of one — maybe Norway’s fjords, Sweden’s hip cities, and Denmark’s hygge — not to mention landscapes so pretty they look like a screensaver. Visiting
the Nordic countries is never going to be cheap — but
Bergen
with the kind of memories you’ll bring back home, they’re a bargain.
Leave the cowboy boots (and passport) behind: there’s no need to head Stateside for an open-road extravaganza. Just pack a cagoule and a thermos, because Scotland’s North Coast 500 ( northcoast500. com ) delivers all the epic,
FJORD FOCUS Get more of Norway
edge-of-the-earth “wow” of America’s great highways, without the long-haul flight and price tag.
This winding ribbon around the very rim of northern Scotland delivers everything from castle-stacked
BEAUTIFUL FJORDS OF WESTERN NORWAY Eight days from £1,386pp Departures August 2025—October 2026
SAVE UP TO 15% *
headlands to loch- side roads so scenic
they should come with a warning for distracted
drivers. And crucially,
◼ Journey by boat through spectacular scenery to Bergen ◼ Discover the region on a fascinating Fjord Life tour ◼ Tour Norway’s interior on unforgettable
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES ◼ Seven nights’ half-board accommodation at the four-star Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand, on Sognefjord, which Norway’s longest and deepest fjord
optional excursions to the Jostedal Glacier, and to Mydal, Flam and Gudvangen ◼ Return flights to Bergen ◼ Air-conditioned coach travel and transfers ◼ Fully escorted by an experienced tour manager
it’s brilliant value. Petrol’s cheaper than plane
tickets, and the route is peppered with wallet-friendly, wonderfully personal stays. Try the cosy and quiet Auld Post Office in Caithness ( auldpostoffice.com ) or Ardvreck
BEACH LIFE White sands at Achmelvich, near Lochinver
SAVE UP TO 15% *
Portofino
Dubrovnik
House ( ardvreckhouse.com ) near Ullapool, where you’ll get loch views and one of the country’s great honesty bars.
SAVE UP TO 15% *
SAVE UP TO 15% *
Seville
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES ◼ S even nights’ half-board accommodation at the hotel of your choice ◼ B oat trip around Portofino ◼ D iscover the wonderful cities of Pisa and Lucca ◼ S pend a day in breath-taking Florence ◼ Explore Siena and charming San Gimignano ◼ R eturn flights to Italy ◼ C oach travel and transfers throughout ◼ Fully escorted by an experienced tour manager PORTOFINO, FLORENCE AND TUSCANY Eight days from £986pp Departures August 2025—October 2026
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES ◼ Seven nights’ half-board accommodation at a four-star hotel in Drvenik (3 nights) and a three-star hotel on the Dubrovnik Riviera (4) ◼ Seek out the splendours of Krka National Park ◼ Experience Montenegro and the Bay of Kotor ◼ Visit to Mostar and a guided tour of Dubrovnik ◼ Return flights to Dubrovnik ◼ Coach travel and transfers throughout ◼ Fully escorted by an experienced tour manager DUBROVNIK, MONTENEGRO AND THE DALMATIAN COAST Eight days from £1,195pp Departures June 2025—October 2026
SEVILLE, GRANADA AND CLASSIC SPAIN Eight days from £964pp Departures Sept 2025—Nov 2026
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES ◼ Seven nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the three-star Hotel Coso Viejo, Antequera (upgrade hotel available for a supplement) ◼ Explore Granada’s world-renowned Alhambra ◼ Enjoy a full-day visit to Seville ◼ Enjoy a day exploring Córdoba ◼ Return flights to Malaga ◼ Coach travel and transfers throughout ◼ Fully escorted by an experienced tour manager
To book or request a brochure, call 0330 341 1117 quoting RTA or visit radiotimes.com/holidayoffers
* Save up to 15% applies to new bookings on selected tours made by 31 July 2025 and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. This offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and excludes Premier Collection, Exclusively Solos, André Rieu events, Lapland, Wimbledon, Tattoo, Ocean Cruise and River Cruise. This offer does not apply to child pricing. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion, or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have the discount applied. This offer does not apply to child pricing. Prices correct at time of going to press. Single supplements apply. Subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Newmarket Holidays reserves the right to cancel, change or amend any tour. These holidays are organised and operated by Newmarket Holidays Ltd. ABTOT 5509. ATOL protected 2325. ABTA V7812.
HIGH ROAD The Kylesku Bridge on Scotland’s North Coast 500 route
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RadioTimes 14–20 June 2025
radiotimes.com/traveljune2025
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