Posh camping on the Isle of Wight
The glamping season is almost upon us and the latest safari-style campsite to pop up is Tom’s Eco Lodge (tomsecolodge.com) on the Isle of Wight. The five posh tents, sleeping up to six each and with double beds as well as electricity and a plumbed bathroom, are set on Tapnell Farm in West Wight. Venue for the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970, the farm is now home to more than 300 cows; fresh milk and eggs are supplied to each tent daily. Tents open in April and cost from £291 for four nights.
New route to Corsica
You’ll be hearing a lot about Corsica this year as it features as the start for the Tour de France for the first time. In addition to its charters to Calvi, Corsican Places (0845 3302113, corsica.co.uk) has added the only UK flight to Figari in the south of the island, operated by British Airways from Heathrow. It will run weekly between May 19 and September 29 and can be teamed with the company’s portfolio of properties. For example, seven nights at the three-bedroom Bergerie Olivella in Olmeto cost from £649pp with flights to Figari and car hire.
Squeeze your bags
With more airlines charging for checked baggage, these clever travel roll storage bags are a great idea; you pack your clothes in the laminate bags, roll out the air, producing the same space-saving effect without the use of a vacuum. Then just pop them in your case. They come in various sizes, and cost from £4.99 to £12.99. Details at packmate.co.uk.
Football in Greece
Greece’s Sani Resort is launching a football academy for children aged 5-14, with skill sessions held on an artificial turf pitch. Children can book in from May 25 to September 1 for two hours a day, at €35. Other childrens’ activities include bike riding, tennis and organised bird-watching tours. ITC Classics (01244 355527, itcclassics.co.uk) has prices from £2,339 per family based on two adults and one child sharing a bungalow, on a half-board basis with flights from Gatwick.