6 of the best activity holidays

Diving in Tobago, The Caribbean

Famous for great weather golden beaches and fantastic diving, Tobago is a top spot that can be reached by direct flights from London Gatwick. Also, as one of the cheaper Caribbean islands, visitors can expect to make the pound go further here.

Charming Tobago is renowned for its world-famous diving opportunities, offering ample chances to enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea with its stunning corals, exotic underwater flora and many kinds of rare tropical fish.

Where to stay: Treat yourself to a stay at the luxurious Villas at Stonehaven on Tobago, with your own private infinity pool and  access to several nearby beaches and dive spots. Luxury villas specialist CV Travel offers a wide range of hotel and villas in the area that are ideal for any group size or requirements. See www.cvtravel.co.uk for more information.  

See also:

• 5 luxury beach house retreats

Caving in Puglia, Italy

For a trip that’s a little out of the ordinary; the beautiful Grotte di Castellana (Grottoes of Castellana), just north of Alberobello in Puglia in southern Italy, are home to the largest and most famous show caves in Italy.

The impressive limestone cave complex runs for miles and visitors can take either a one or two-hour tour to discover these extraordinary rock formations, which have taken millions of years to form. Claustrophobics need not worry, the cavern passages and vaults are quite large, each vault is well-lit and walking is not difficult– there’s even a lift to take you back to the top.

Where to stay: Il Trullino is a recently refurbished trullo (traditional white, conical home) with lovely gardens and a pool, located close to Alberobello and the lovely Adriatic beaches. Think Puglia offers a range of Puglia villas throughout the region, suitable for all group sizes. See www.thinkpuglia.com for more information.

See also:

• 5 luxury beach house retreats

Skiing and snowboarding in Val d’Isere, France

Beautiful Val d’Isere is one of Europe’s most popular ski resorts, with reliable snow, breathtaking scenery, legendary après ski and vibrant nightlife - all centred around a charming, yet cosmopolitan French mountain village.

Slope-wise there’s something for all levels, making the resort a great choice for snowsports lovers of all kinds. With plenty of off-piste skiing and snowboarding, served by Val d'Isere's extensive lift network, there are lots of challenges for the more advanced skier. 

Where to stay: Chalethotel Le Val d’Isere is located right in the centre of the town near the shopping and nightlife and within walking distance of the main lifts. Family ski holidays specialist Mark Warner also provides childcare and a wide range of activities, such as sailing, tennis and golf within the resort. See www.markwarner.co.uk for more information.

See also:

• 5 luxury beach house retreats

Golfing in Sicily, Italy

The beautiful island of Sicily in Italy boasts six challenging and enjoyable 18-hole courses, located in some of the island’s most beautiful areas.

Il Picciolo Golf Club is the oldest course and sits on the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, meaning that the course presents unusual hazards of lava flows on many of the holes. Meanwhile, Le Madonie Golf Club near Cefalù winds through olive groves and citrus trees and offers stunning views over the Mediterranean and the Aeolian Islands to the north and the Madonie Mountains to the south.

Where to stay: Beautiful Il Piliere is a family house with a private pool offering 360-degree panoramic views of the mountains of the Madonie nature reserve. The property is close to the beaches of Lascari and not far from Le Madonie Golf Club.  Sicily holidays specialist, Think Sicily, offers a range of other exclusive villas in Sicily. See www.thinksicily.com for more information.

See also:

• 5 luxury beach house retreats

Thrill-seeking in Tenerife

If lazing around on the beach isn’t your thing and you are looking for more of an adrenaline rush, then Tenerife guarantees to provide.

As well as an active volcano, the island also boasts one of the best water parks in the world, Siam Park. Covering 46 acres, this Siamese themed park has 10 huge slides and rides including the world’s largest wave pool, producing waves over 3m high!

There are loads of smaller rides and attractions, and restaurants serving Thai food and even has a Thai floating market. 

Where to stay: The four star Isla Bonita Hotel is situated in Costa Adeje, just 400m from the beach. A bus service runs every 30 minutes from Costa Adeje to Siam Park. To see a range of flights and accommodation for holidays to Tenerife visit  lowcostholidays.com.

See also:

• 5 luxury beach house retreats