EVER considered detouring en route to your holiday?
Lesser-known regions close to popular destinations are well worth a visit.
Lesser-known regions close to popular destinations are well worth a visit[/caption]
And they are the next hottest trend, according to travel firm Expedia’s Unpack 2025 report on where holidaymakers want to go next year.
We’re all about getting more bang for our buck when it comes to getaways.
So if you’re travelling to one of these cities in 2025, why not add on a detour?
Sophie Swietochowski shares her top picks.
Destination: Cancun, Mexico
Detour: Cozumel
IF you are visiting Cancun, it would feel almost criminal not to hop over to Cozumel.
This tiny island just off Playa del Carmen has a rich biodiversity, home to tropical plants and white sands, while its surrounding waters are teeming with coral reefs and colourful fish.
If you are visiting Cancun, it would feel almost criminal not to hop over to Cozumel[/caption]
This tiny island just off Playa del Carmen has a rich biodiversity, home to tropical plants and white sands[/caption]
The best place to see starfish is Playa El Cielo, where the crystal clear waters mean the sea creatures are easy to spot.
Regular ferries operate from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, with fares from around $17 for the fast, 20-minute ferry.
STAY: The bright and airy Westin Cozumel, with its own beach, is ideal for those wanting to get stuck into the wildlife scene.
It has snorkel gear available to catch some great aquatic sights.
Rooms from £158 per night. See hotels.com.
Destination: Los Angeles, USA
Detour: Santa Barbara
THOSE in the know often say they prefer the laid-back, seaside city of Santa Barbara to the buzz of Los Angeles, on the California coast – that’s partly why the A-listers love it.
Perhaps it’s the more mellow, Hamptons-like atmosphere or the tropical beach sunsets.
Santa Barbara is mellow and has a Hamptons-like atmosphere[/caption]
Look out for dolphins on the horizon (you can book a sunset catamaran tour, $65pp, at sbsail.com).
It’s one hour 30 minutes by car from LA, or you can catch a train, which takes more than two hours.
You’ll be sipping local wines from the nearby hills in no time.
STAY: In a quiet patch on West Beach, Brisas Del Mar Inn At The Beach has a Mediterranean vibe, with terracotta terraces surrounded by climbing vines – there are bikes to rent, too.
Rooms cost from £194 per night. See expedia.co.uk.
Destination: Paris, France
Detour: Reims
A 46-MINUTE train ride from Paris’ Gare de L’Est, Reims is often called the city of Champagne.
Yet despite the famous fizz’s pricey reputation, you won’t need to splash the cash when you get here.
Reims is often called the city of Champagne and has an iconic towering cathedral[/caption]
Drink in the sights of the towering cathedral before drinking in the bubbles – the Pommery champagne house has self-guided tours of its cellars, along with tastings, for around £22.50 (see champagne-booking.com/en).
STAY: The Hotel Continental, a former 19th century mansion, is centrally located and home to a spa with infra-red sauna, bucket showers and massage booths.
Rooms cost from £122 per night. See hotels.com.
Destination: Barcelona, Spain
Detour: Girona
FROM Barcelona, you can jump on the train and venture 40 minutes north to Girona.
The city has become known for the remarkable rise of its football club – but there’s so much more to it than that.
Its old town is a maze of narrow streets, framed by Roman and Gothic architecture that ooze history[/caption]
Its old town is a maze of narrow streets, framed by Roman and Gothic architecture that ooze history.
The same could be said for its 12th century Arabic baths, built in a temple-like structure, that can still be visited today.
This region is famous for its Catalonian cuisine, so sample as much as you can – Txalaka does great tapas, with bites from €5.50.
STAY: The central and chic Bypillow Erba has comfy Scandi-style rooms from £59 per night. See bypillow.com.
Destination: Milan, Italy
Detour: Brescia
WITH its four prominent squares – one Roman, one Medieval, one Renaissance and one Modern – the cultural city of Brescia pairs perfectly with a trip to fashionable Milan.
Sitting at the foot of mountains in northern Italy, just over 30 minutes from Milan by train, Brescia is crammed with fascinating architecture and petite art galleries.
The cultural city of Brescia pairs perfectly with a trip to fashionable Milan[/caption]
Brescia is just over 30 minutes from Milan by train, pictured Milan’s Duomo[/caption]
Swing by one of the quaint bars and order a pirlo, a traditional aperitivo, made of still wine, Campari, sparkling water and a wedge of orange.
STAY: The boutique Locanda Delle Mercanzie was once a medieval palazzo and has buckets of character.
It’s a short walk from landmarks like Piazza della Loggia and Brescia Castle.
Rooms cost from £81 per night. See expedia.co.uk.
