New Summer Island Escapes with Artisan Travel

Independently-owned holiday specialist Artisan Travel has a tantalising array of new island-based summer escapes for 2019. Here is a selection of the new trips available in Croatia, Madeira, the Azores and Gozo:

Croatia

Known for its azure blue, island-speckled coastline, Croatia offers a unique blend of history and stunning natural beauty. Northwest of Dubrovnik, the sleepy Elaphiti archipelago (the islands of Koloĉep, Lopud and Šipan) is an excellent destination for those seeking an adventurous break away from the crowds. There are also some interesting add-on activities available such as visiting Game of Thrones filming locations and a food and wine tour of Dubrovnik.

NEW: Adventure Sailing Weekend on the Dalmatian Coast – from £585 pp

Spend the weekend island-hopping on the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. A 10-person catamaran will be your base for the weekend as you explore the Elaphiti Islands as well as Mljet and the picturesque Peljesac Peninsula, plus there will be optional paddle-boarding, snorkelling, cycling and swimming. The price is from £585 pp (two sharing), including three nights’ B&B on board the catamaran, guided activities and the services of a fully-qualified skipper. Flights extra. Departs 13 April – 23 October, 2019.

NEW: Dubrovnik and the Elaphiti Islands Highlights – from £615 pp

Staying in Šipanska Luka, a small fishing village on the island of Šipan, spend a week hiking, cycling, kayaking and paddle-boarding around the Elaphiti Islands. Explore the maze of streets, alleys and squares that make up the historic city of Dubrovnik, with plenty of time to relax on Šipan’s sandy beaches. The price is from £615 pp (two sharing), including transfers, seven nights’ B&B, three dinners, guided activities and equipment. Flights extra. Departs 20 April – 12 October, 2019.

NEW: Elaphiti Islands Active Adventure – from £825 pp

Begin with three nights’ sailing along the Dalmatian Coast, visiting the Elaphiti Islands, Mljet and the Peljesac Peninsula for paddle-boarding, snorkelling and kayaking. The remaining four nights will be spent in a traditional stone guesthouse in the village of Šipanska Luka on Šipan, for hiking, cycling and a relaxing beach day. The price is from £825 pp (two sharing), including seven nights’ B&B, guided activities, the services of a fully-qualified skipper and equipment. Flights extra. Departs 13 April – 27 October, 2019.

Madeira and the Azores

Explore the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores this summer. Rocky coastlines, luscious green mountains and an abundance of marine life have made Madeira a popular holiday destination for years, while the still relatively-undiscovered Azores archipelago in the mid-Atlantic offers fascinating cultural experiences, whale and dolphin watching, dramatic volcanic landscapes and active excursions.

NEW: Madeira Island Exploration – from £1,135 pp

Venture to spectacular viewpoints on foot and by Jeep, join the locals at a farmers’ market and sample the delicious wines that the island is known for on a tasting tour. Accompanied by a marine biologist, spot whales and dolphins while experiencing the rugged coastline from the water. The price is from £1,135 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), transfers, seven nights’ B&B, two lunches and guided activities. Departs 29 March – 18 October, 2019.

NEW: Wildlife and Volcano Exploration on the Azores – from £1,395 pp

Spending time on the islands of São Miguel and Pico, enjoy two whale-watching trips, swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat, learn about the islands’ conservation efforts and explore Pico’s UNESCO-status vineyards, with exceptional views of the island’s stratovolcano. The price is from £1,395 pp (two sharing), including internal flights, transfers, seven nights’ B&B, two lunches and guided activities. International flights extra. Departs 6 April – 12 October, 2019.

NEW: Volcanic island short break on the Azores – from £595 pp

Combining peaceful island life with adventurous exploring, enjoy a visit to the Furnas to learn about the island’s volcanic history and a visit to the impressive blue and green crater lakes of Lagoa das Sete Cicades with optional cycling and kayaking. They’ll also be the opportunity to choose from a whale and dolphin-watching boat tour or snorkelling with dolphins in their natural habitat. choose from a whale and dolphin-watching boat tour or the chance to snorkel with dolphins in their natural habitat. The price is from £595 pp (two sharing), including transfers, four nights’ B&B, two lunches, guided activities and equipment. Flights extra. Departs 1 April – 31 October, 2019.

Gozo

Sister island to Malta, Gozo is a tranquil haven, offering rugged landscapes, a spectacular coastline and an incredible array of adventures for visitors to enjoy on land and at sea.

NEW: Activity Weekend on Gozo – from £755 pp

Experience Gozo outside of peak season, choose from a range of activities specifically designed to showcase the beauty of the island, with options including cycling, hiking, climbing and abseiling, as well as a kayaking adventure around the coastline and beyond, to the smaller nearby island of Comino. Scuba diving and Segway tours are also available at an extra cost. The price is from £755 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), transfers, four nights’ B&B, one dinner and three guided activities. Departs February – May & October – December, 2019.

NEW: Photography Weekend on Gozo – from £755 pp

Capture the essence of Gozo with award-winning photographer Pete Bullen, whose insider knowledge of the island will lead guests to well-known locations and hidden gems, while learning how to capture stunning images. Enjoy a half-day activity away from the camera, choosing between sea kayaking, climbing, cycling and hiking. Scuba diving and Segway tours are also available at an extra cost. The price is from £755 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), transfers, four nights’ B&B, two picnic lunches, one dinner, two days’ photography tuition and guided activities. Departs February – May & October – December, 2019.

For more information, or to speak to an expert, please visit Artisan Travel (01670 785 085; www.artisantravel.co.uk).

Note to editors: Independent specialist holiday company Artisan Travel provides life-enriching holidays, crafted by experts, which marry expertise and local knowledge to deliver unforgettable bucket-list experiences for adults. It is a sister company to family travel specialist Activities Abroad, and to Northern Lights specialist, The Aurora Zone.

Press: For more information or to discuss a commissioned press trip, please contact
Julia Farish, or Kate Chapman at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or j.farish@travelpr.co.uk or k.chapman@travelpr.co.uk