8 places to go before the kids break up from school

Take advantage of these amazing deals before the summer holidays

For those without kids, there can be nothing worse than arriving at your prized summer holiday destination to discover a small army of children have taken over the pool, or are building sandcastles on that beach you planned to sun yourself on all day.

June has arrived and the summer school break is getting ever closer, but it’s not too late to book something in before the kids break up. If you want to avoid the crowds – and the peak-season prices – we’ve found some incredible last-minute travel deals. Book one of these and have a break before school’s out.

1. For the romantics: £399pp Lake Garda holiday

The largest lake in Italy, Garda sits among gorgeous alpine mountains just northwest of Verona. This summer, departing 1 July, Inghams are offering a seven-night holiday – return flights and half-board hotel included – for just £399 per person.

You’ll stay at the 3-star Palme Hotel in the historic town of Garda, just a 10-minute walk from the beautiful lakeside – arguably one of the most romantic locations in Italy.

2. For city breakers: £159 weekend break in Leeds  

Named one of Lonely Planet’s top destinations in Europe for 2017, Leeds makes for a brilliant and varied UK city break. For culture head to the newly reopened Leeds Art Gallery, and enjoy some retail therapy at futuristic Victoria Gate – recently named one of the top shopping centres in the world.

Super Break are offering a weekend package in Leeds for just £159 per person, which includes two nights’ bed and breakfast at the 4-star Jury’s Inn, with a bottle of prosecco in the room upon arrival, a three-course meal at Zizzi and a £50 gift card (per room) for the Trinity Shopping Centre.

3. For wildlife lovers: 20% off Kenya safari

If you’ve always wanted to see lions stalking prey on the African savannah, or gaze on as a family of elephants chomp on trees while the sun sets, book this Intrepid tour departing on 11 June.

Taking in the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru, your chances of spotting the Big Five are high on this wildlife watching tour with Intrepid. For £1,932 per person (usually £2,490), you’ll spend eight days trundling along tracks in national parks and game reserves in a sturdy, purpose-built safari truck in search of some of nature’s most majestic beasts.

Evenings will be enjoyed under canvas in permanent tented camps, plus you’ll have the services of expert local guides who’ll know exactly where and when to find the animal action. Flights are not included, but return tickets can be found for as little as £577 through Skyscanner.

4.  For beach bums: £500 off adults-only all-inclusive Mexico 

If sunning yourself on sublime sands is your bag, book this. The Holiday Place is offering seven nights at the stunning 5-star UNICO 20° 87° Hotel Riviera Maya with return Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick departing 4 July.

The £1,399pp price tag is £500 off the usual cost, and includes a free upgrade to an Alcoba Ocean View Room, meaning you’ll wake up to endless Caribbean Sea vistas.

5. For a little TLC: all-inc Turkish spa resort package from less than £500pp

If you need a serious break, this is the place for it. The 5-star Garcia Resort & Spa in Olu Deniz sits on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, where the Mediterranean meets the Aegean Sea.

From just £478 per person, based on two adults sharing, you can enjoy an all-inclusive seven-night break at the resort with return flights from London Gatwick departing 5 July when booking through loveholidays. If you just can’t wait that long, departure dates in June are as low as £363.

6. For adventurers: 15-day tour in Vietnam from £588

From the frenetic streets of Hanoi to the serene waterways of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam is quite the adventure. Intrepid have slashed 20% off the usual price for their Vietnam Discovery tour, which means it’s just £588 per person for the two-week trip.

The price includes all accommodation and transport, some meals and various activities throughout the trip, from bike hire in the gorgeous town of Hoi An, to an overnight cruise among the stunning karst rock formations of Halong Bay.

Flights to Vietnam are cheaper than ever, too. Check for the latest deals on Skyscanner.

7. For island escapees: almost £2,000 off Maldives break

The Maldives isn’t just for wealthy honeymooners: get away from it all this summer with this excellent deal from ITC Luxury Travel.

Usually £5,100 per person, you can now enjoy a 7-night, full board break in a Lagoon Water Villa at Six Senses Laamu on Olhuveli island, with return flights and seaplane transfers included for just £3,099 per person.

You’ll have direct access to the ocean from your stilted villa, as well as the resorts brilliant facilities, which include a water sports centre, spa, gym, library and seven restaurants and bars.

8. For foodies: 20% off Tuscany cooking holiday

The food is often the highlight of any trip to Italy – the pizza, the pasta, the wine… But what’s more rewarding is tucking into a dish you’ve cooked yourself.

We wouldn’t usually advocate cooking on holiday, of course – this precious time away from home is for serious relaxation – but on this Go Learn To trip you’ll learn from experts how to craft delicious Italian meals.

The trip involves two hands-on cooking lessons, plus visits to local markets and gorgeous Tuscan towns nearby. The cost – from approximately £455 – includes all meals, accommodation and transfers. Cheap flights can be found through Skyscanner.