A recent study by ABTA (the Association of British Travel Agents) revealed that over 12 per cent of Britons plan to escape the UK this coming summer to avoid the Olympic Games, with the figure rising to one in five among those over 55. A further 10 per cent of the population plan to retreat to a quiet location within the UK.
If you are looking to do a runner from the games, travel writer Matt Jenkins has put together his pick of some of the best getaways.
Swap the medals for something fizzy in Champagne-Ardenne
Situated 90 miles east of Paris, this provincial, unspoilt corner of France can be reached in less than four hours by train from London. How better to avoid the riveting news that the world discus record was broken than by enjoying a bottle of bubbles in the vineyard where it was produced.
Begin in Reims, the unofficial capital of the region and home to the 13th-century gothic Cathedral Notre-Dame de Reims – a UNESCO World Heritage site and the traditional location for French coronations.
To the south lies Épernay, surrounded by mile upon mile of perfectly maintained vineyards. Beneath the fortified town’s streets run more than 60 miles of subterranean cellars, including those owned by Moët & Chandon and Winston’s Churchill’s preferred brand, Pol Roger. Give us a call to arrange a private tour and tasting. Picture: Atout France
Trade handball for the Highlands
With 204 nations set to compete in the games, it is going to be hard to completely escape Olympic fever. However, we reckon one of the best ways is to cut the cord connecting you to the 21st-century world and immerse yourself in one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas, free from any mobile phones.
Call us to book the sleeper train which runs directly from London Euston to Inverness. Our lifestyle managers can arrange for you to travel beyond nearby Loch Ness (13 miles away) and head off to canoe, bike and hike through the breathtaking scenery of the UK’s largest National Park, the Cairngorms. Five of Scotland's six highest mountains are located here and it is home to 25 per cent of the UK's threatened bird, animal and plant species. Choose to camp, or explore the area from the comfort of the five-star Rocpool Reserve Hotel (pictured).
Sail around the Adriatic rather than the Solent
To escape the bothersome beep of a tweet about the latest sporting achievement, charter a yacht and explore the Dalmatian coast. Speak to a member of our Travel team to arrange a vessel and crew to suit your budget. With 1,185 remote islands to discover, there will be no trouble escaping the crowds.
A trip to the island of Mljet is a must; there are few residents, no large towns and only one major road. The forested western part is a designated national park, featuring two inland salt water lakes, while the east coast has miles of sandy beaches, including the secluded Blace Bay.
If your sea legs start to falter, give us a call to arrange accommodation on dry land. Minutes from the historical Old Town in Dubrovnik, the recently renovated Villa Orsula is set to reopen in April 2012. It features just 13 rooms, including two exclusive suites, and has its own private beach.
From the overcrowded Underground to isolated islands
Separated from mainland Africa by hundreds of kilometres of sea, Madagascar is home to some weird and wonderful flora and fauna, including the endangered giant jumping rat and the carnivorous pitcher plant. Of the 200,000 known animal species found here, about two thirds are endemic, meaning they exist nowhere else. To preserve this precious natural heritage, the country has developed an extensive network of protected areas away from modern society.
Set on its own private volcanic island in the Mitsio archipelago, the Constance Lodge Tsarabanjina is a great place to hide away (pictured). Televisions and telephones are banned, leaving visitors to peacefully explore the natural surroundings. We highly recommend an al fresco massage in the morning, a scuba dive in the afternoon and admiring the sunset from your thatched-roof bungalow. Speak to one of our lifestyle managers to book this.
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