GREAT break
For more great holiday ideas, see page 39
attraction of this friendly Middle
Eastern country.
Desert scenes from the movie were shot in Wadi Rum, but
Jordan in general has a rich history providing otherworldly settings for many directors.
It has starred in all manner of blockbusters including Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Lawrence of Arabia and
The Martian.
Wadi Rum, as well as the famous ancient city of Petra, is accessible from the historic port city of Aqaba, located on the Red Sea coast.
And you should seek out Aqaba for its beaches, premier snorkelling and scuba diving, plus top quality hotels.
GO: Flights in February cost from around £141
b
t return. See Easyjet.com. And five nights in a five star such as the Intercontinental costs from £502. See booking.com.
Sunshine state Florida, US
Florida is a pleasure at any time of year. Bradenton, on the state’s Gulf Coast south of Tampa, is a laid-back place away from the theme park hurlyburly around Orlando.
It is a slice of old Florida, a Florida of uncrowded beaches and offshore islands, complete with manatees, those gentle giant sea cows of the warmer oceans.
It is a place where artists and sunseekers mingle, and with a car at your disposal, genteel resorts such as Sarasota and Tarpon Springs are easily accessible, as are the lakes and orange groves inland.
GO: A week-long Valentine’s Day getaway, flying BA to Tampa and staying at the Best Western Plus
Gateway Hotel in Bradenton, plus car hire, costs from £960pp. See americaasyoulikeit.com.
Island hop Male, Maldives
This island archipelago is known as a honeymoon destination rich with pricey all-inclusive hotels. But most holidaymakers get little or no interaction with local culture, instead staying rooted to whichever spot their hotel occupies.
So how about an island-hopping adventure, seeing a side to the islands few tourists see? At a much better price? Explore fishing towns, catch your dinner, snorkel in crystal waters, enjoy water sports, surf, taste local dishes and have a traditional meal in the home of a local family.
GO: This eight-day small group tour from G Adventures includes some meals, but not flights, from £583. See gadventures.co.uk.