The best activity holidays: from food to cycling and culture, find your perfect trip

When it comes to holidays, if you like seeing and doing as much as just being, you’re in good company. In fact, ‘Type 2’ holidays – in destinations where you can explore, experience, get active and immerse yourself in other cultures – are a major new travel trend, allowing you to get more from your trip than the simple pleasures of ‘Type 1’ style, sun-and-sand alone.

For a holiday that provides the perfect mix of the two, Jet2holidays offer a range of fantastic destinations for a sunbreak that ticks all your boxes, from adventure to nature, culture, food and history. They also wrap up accommodation, return flights, transfers and a 22kg baggage allowance into an ABTA and ATOL-protected package, all for just a £60pp deposit*. You can also spread the remaining cost with Pay Monthly**, meaning you can book early for the best prices and focus on curating your perfect itinerary to get the most from your break.

Here are five dial-up, dial-down destinations to try.

Sicily is a culinary dream. Floating just off the toe of Italy’s boot, it is a sunshine-soaked island perfect for the foodie forager. The cuisine is the stuff of legend, from street food staples like crispy arancini and aromatic, aubergine-stuffed caponata to sticky desserts like creamy, citrus-spiked cannoli. Of course, in a foodie destination like this the options are myriad, but head to nearby Palermo to market-graze at Mercato il Capo or enjoy the rustic trattoria vibes of Ferro di Cavallo.

The flexible board options offered by Jet2holidays are perfect for foodies, where you can choose how much you want to eat in or explore local shops, markets and eateries. With an enviable location close to the mountains and stunning Mediterranean ocean, the Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa is perfect for a relaxing break away, with four bars and six restaurants to choose from. Take your stay to the next level and book The Signature Level to receive a host of added extras, including a welcome drink and exclusive access to a reserved area of sunbeds by the pool.

The intersection of cool, modern neighbourhoods and ancient, timeworn sites makes the Greek capital a city like no other. As the sunshine drenches the Parthenon ruins of the Acropolis, nestling in its shadow is the charming village of Plaka, whose labyrinthine streets, neoclassical architecture and open-air tavernas are a joy. Fancy a lively evening? Monastiraki and Psiri have rooftop cocktail bars and live DJ sets in the clubs until the early hours.

To help you get the most from your holiday, Jet2CityBreaks wraps up return flights, accommodation and 22kg baggage into an ABTA and ATOL-protected package. You’ll find hotels in the heart of the action too, so you can explore with ease. Here, the Grand Hyatt Athens offers fine rooms including marble bathrooms and a rooftop pool with views of the Acropolis – for the perfect mix of culture and pleasure in one.

Roman amphitheatres, Venetian palaces and medieval monasteries are just some of the sightseeing opportunities in this stunning destination. The Cathedral of St. Domnius and Diocletian’s Palace in Split are must-sees, while the 314 steps of the famous Marjan Stairway are worth the effort for the unforgettable views at the top.

Accommodation-wise, Villa Mermaid is a true Croatian delight that allows you to enjoy peace and tranquillity without being too far from the sights and bustle of city life. It’s surrounded by beautiful beaches, authentic gastronomy and fascinating heritage sites. With Jet2Villas, you can expect private accommodation, return flights, 22kg luggage and car hire included in one ATOL-protected package.

Simon Calder’s Summer holiday guide

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If you like getting active on holiday, the coastlines of Tenerife make beautiful bike-rides, while Santa Cruz is a city primed for cyclists, with designated pathways and sights galore to spot as you pedal around. After a day in the saddle, you can tuck-in guilt-free to the fine food on offer – enjoy Med-fusion at Cayote, French surf and turf at La Foret Restaurant, or go haute at Etereo by Pedro Nel.

Rest your head (and your legs) at the Spring Arona Gran Hotel & Spa, accredited with a gold rating by Cycling Friendly. Located on the seafront overlooking Los Cristianos bay, the resort has an elegant and modern style throughout, with spacious rooms and a relaxing Thalasso spa. It also offers secure bike storage, great seafront promenade location, bike rental, bike cleaning and maintenance facilities.

Whether you arrive at this magical metropolis when it’s dusted with snow or when the spring sun is beaming down, you are sure to be charmed. Regarded as the ‘smallest big city in the world’, it packs in a vibrant arts scene, life-affirming nature, and the illumination of the captivating Northern Lights.

The Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel Curio Collection by Hilton is a landmark hotel with a modern and quirky design. Your Jet2CityBreaks trip between September and April will include a Northern Lights tour making for a true bucket-list break. And why not take a trip beyond the city limits to discover even more of Iceland’s natural treasures, from hot springs to volcanic craters and the famous Blue Lagoon.

Looking for the perfect group holiday? VIBE by Jet2holidays offers expertly chosen hotels in the best out-out and chill-out spots on the planet, allowing you and your friends to plan a trip that’s just your vibe.

Majorca is the perfect group destination because it offers something for everyone, from buzzing resorts, to VIP beach clubs, rugged mountain peaks, and more than 200 gorgeous beaches. You can get out and explore, build in activities from boat cruises to buggy-tours, caving and cliff-jumping or simply relax in the sunshine.

Stay at the the ultra-chic Sotavento Club Apartments and you’ll get the best of both worlds – here you are close to the famous nightlife of Magalluf but when you want to relax you can stay by one of the two pools and enjoy DJ sets, cocktails at the lounge bar, or easy à la carte dining at the modern, stylish restaurant.

Jet2holidays offers an incredible range of great-value getaways for all types of travellers, across stunning European destinations. From the affordable luxury of Indulgent Escapes® by Jet2holidays® to the compelling cities of Jet2CityBreaks, VIBE by Jet2holidays stays that suit your style to family-friendly Jet2Villas, the boxes are ticked for every age, budget and interest. What’s more, with holidays secured with a low £60pp deposit* and the Pay Monthly** option, plus a host of perks like 22kg baggage and return transfers included***, it’s easy from start to finish. It’s all ABTA and ATOL-protected too. To find out more about how to book, head here

*On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. **Terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.jet2holidays.com/part-payment for details. ***Transfers are not included as standard on Jet2CityBreaks. Jet2Villas packages include car hire.