This month we're drooling after chic new villas in Greece, donning our lycra for an Italian marathon, booking onto some new flight routes from British Airways and heading to Mallorca for some waterpark and rooftop terrace action. Here's the best of this month's travel news:
Italian Riviera race
You’ll always know if a friend has run a marathon, because they won’t stop talking about it, but this is one race to really boast about. Launching this year, the Sciacche Trail is a new 47km run, taking in the best of the Cinque Terre National Park on the Italian Riviera. Not only is the distance 5km longer than a marathon, the course is crazy hilly (especially by London standards). But you can’t fault the views: vineyards, historic villages and blue water, just begging you to finish. sciacchetrail.com
British Airways flies to Bilbao, Spain
What Bilbao lacks in beauty, it makes up for in character. Handy, then, that this northern Spanish city is the latest to be added to British Airways’ collection of new flight routes. Wander around the Guggenheim (or just marvel at the crazy exterior), and be sure to check out the thronging bars of Casco Viejo, the city’s old quarter. britishairways.com
New beds in Mallorca
We had fun in Magaluf in 2003, and the over-18s waterpark at new hotel BH Mallorca is making us want to go back. Magaluf’s not the only place for nightlife on the island: for something more sophisticated, try the boutique 14-bedroom Hotel Cort in Palma. bhmallorca.com; hotelcort.com
Mexico comes to London
2015 is the year of Mexico in the UK, and you can get a taste of the country without leaving London. Join the celebrations in Selfridges from 9 March, with food pop-ups, chef takeovers and authentic Mexican products – including a rare glimpse of George Clooney’s Casamigos tequila. We’ll drink to that. selfridges.com/mexico
Tattoo and hostel in one
Bespoke spa treatments and pillow menus are old news: what we want from a hotel is a late-night tattoo option. Urban House is a new hostel-hotel in the Danish capital, offering just that. As well as the tat parlour, there are 950 beds, a live stage and a cinema. Their social media urges you to #DoCopenhagen. Go on then! Dorms from £26; urbanhouse.me
Scilly Isles hotel spruce
Remember the Scilly Isles? It’s easy to forget the UK has islands so damn beautiful you’d think they were in the Caribbean, even though they’re really just off the southwestern tip of Cornwall. The tranquil Karma St Martin’s resort is the latest new refurb there, and it overlooks clear seas that are just as good for swimming in as they are to look at. £175 per room; karmaresorts.com
New villas in Greece
If you’re the one who’s always lumbered with arranging trips for you and your mates, let’s make it easier. The Okeanos villas are perched at the top of a cliff on the unspoiled Greek island of Lefkada, and sleep eight people. And for extra brownie points, the villas have their own infinity pools. €350 per night; chicretreats.com
Educational gaming fun
Nottingham’s done well for itself: the city has bagged the world’s first cultural centre for gaming. The National Videogame Arcade is a five-storey space where you can explore the ‘educational benefits of gaming’. If only that excuse existed when we were kids. We’ll be in a Mario Kart tournament if anyone needs us. gamecity.org
