lastminute

FANCY grabbing a last-minute break during May half-term?
There are lots of late deals offering adventures and attractions galore.

Cruise on a fabulous liner, escape to the countryside, explore a city or bed down in a zoo. Trisha Harbord selects ten top getaways for all budgets, at home and abroad.

FRENCH FANCY

OOH la la! The French seaside resort of Le Touquet will be holding a British Week from May 25 to 31.

There will be a host of activities delivered in English, such as guided horse rides, while the seven miles of coastline and dunes make Le Touquet perfect for sand-yachting.

The resort, an hour’s drive from Calais, has over 70 restaurants, for all tastes and budgets.

GO: Two nights’ room-only at the 3* ibis Styles, for two adults and two children, is from £366. See all.accor.com. Return ferry from Dover costs from £118. See irishferries.com.

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CRUISE CONTROL

YOU can’t beat a cruise for having everything on tap, and we really rate the no-fly MSC voyages on super-modern Virtuosa.

Enjoy five pools, a waterpark, clubs for kids, superb shows and an indoor promenade with restaurants, bars and shops.

The ship, sailing from Southampton, also has the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea, who shakes and stirs cocktails.

GO: Two nights’ full-board from May 23 costs from £265pp. Five nights from May 25, visiting four ports including Bruges and Rotterdam, costs from £541pp. See cruise.co.uk.

MINT IMPERIAL

SPOIL yourself at the 5* Imperial Island Resort in Paphos, which reopened this week. Everything has been upgraded, from the rooms to the food, spa and kids’ clubs.

There are new outdoor play areas at the Cyprus hotel and numerous sports on offer.

Soak up the sun on the adjacent beach or head to Paphos Archaeological Museum and the medieval fort that overlooks the harbour.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive, based on two adults and two children sharing a superior family room, plus Gatwick flights on May 24, is from £1,072pp. See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

ITALIAN JOB

THERE aren’t many kids who don’t like pizza, pasta and ice cream – and they can have all those on a cultural trip to Rome.

The Vatican museums, beautiful Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum amphitheatre are all must-sees.

There are also many children’s attractions, including interactive museums about everything from video games to illusions.

GO: Three nights’ B&B at the 3* Hotel Morgana, including flights from Birmingham on May 25, costs from £469pp, based on a family of four. See jet2holidays.com.

STAR PLAYA

MENORCA may be one of the quieter Balearic Islands, but you won’t be bored here.

Choose from lying on the beach or going hiking, cycling or horse riding.

The 3H Vibra Caleta Playa apartments, surrounding a pool with kids’ area, all have air-con, kitchenettes and a balcony or terrace.

They are close to a sandy cove in Santandria and the historic former capital, Ciutadella.

GO: Five nights’ self-catering in a one-bed apartment for two adults and children, including flights from Gatwick on May 24, costs from £442 per person. See firstchoice.co.uk.

GO FOR ’BROKE

THERE’S a great deal from Pembrokeshire’s 4* Ty Hotel Milford Waterfront, with kids staying free during half-term.

The offer at the hotel, which overlooks the Milford Haven marina, runs rom May 22 to 31.

If the children love dinosaurs, be there on May 27 when Dinomania comes to town.

You can also rent kayaks from the beach activity centre, visit the maritime heritage museum, go hiking or enjoy ten-pin bowling.

GO: A family room for two adults and two children, including breakfast, is from £104. See ty-hotels.com and milfordwaterfront.co.uk.

RURAL SAVINGS

GET back to nature with up to 30 per cent off countryside breaks with Landal, which has resorts in areas including Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northamptonshire and Scotland.

Woodland Lakes, near Thirsk, North Yorks, has indoor pool, kids’ play areas, archery, fishing and a wellness centre.

It’s close to the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales and only a half-hour drive from the historic city of York.

GO: Four nights’ self-catering in a lodge sleeping four people from May 25 costs from £639. See landal.co.uk.

PIER WE GO

IT should be a great week in Great Yarmouth, with plenty to do in the Norfolk resort.

A pantomime of The Wizard Of Oz is being performed at Britannia Pier’s theatre between May 28 and 31, and the town has a festival of circus and arts from May 28 to 30.

Stay at Richardson’s Hemsby Beach holiday park and you’ll be spoiled for family-friendly activities, too.

GO: Four nights’ self-catering in a two- bedroom chalet from May 25 costs from £419. Details at richardsonsholidayparks.co.uk and visitgreatyarmouth.co.uk.

SHOW STOPPERS

TELLY favourites are appearing at Butlin’s, and there are three-night late deals from £48pp. Headline acts include The Masked Singer Live and the new Maximum Pro Wrestling show.

The resorts – in Skegness, Lincs, Somerset’s Minehead and Bognor Regis in West Sussex – also boast Splash Waterworld pools with slides, unlimited fairground rides and soft-play areas for kids.

GO: Three nights for four people sharing a two-bedroom Comfort room in Minehead from May 29 costs from £192. For more information or to book, see butlins.com.

WHERE THE ART IS

HELP Whipsnade Zoo roar into the Guinness World Records book as one of more than 14,000 people taking part in a paint-by- numbers challenge from May 23 to 31.

The masterpiece featuring 200 animals will celebrate the 200th birthday of ZLS – the conservation charity behind the Bedfordshire zoo.

Families picking up a brush will need to register on the GWR Verify app. Stay overnight in one of the zoo’s lodges and enjoy zoo tickets, private tours, breakfast and dinner.

GO: A lodge for two adults and two children is from £520. See whipsnadezoo.org.

YOU can still go abroad May half term with these fantastic last-minute holiday deals

We’ve scoured the web to find some of the cheapest package holidays you can still book, so you can whisk your family off somewhere hot and sunny this May.

We’ve found great deals in Italy, Greece, Spain, Morocco and Portugal.

Whether you’re after a family-friendly hotel with a big pool and lots of entertainment, or a European holiday park in the pinewoods by the beach, we’ve got you covered.

Tuscany, Italy

Head to the pretty, pine forest-backed beaches of Tuscany’s Maremma Coast with this bargain holiday deal.

This package includes a stay at Gitavillage Le Marze, an Italian holiday park with kids adventure activities, exciting entertainment, and its own beach bar.

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Nearby you can walk or cycle through Maremma Nature Park, or go island-hopping and visit sunny Elba and Giglio.

On the Beach offer a 7-night stay from 23 May, including return flights from Edinburgh, for £280pp.

Calpe, Spain

Calpe is a stylish Spanish resort on Spain‘s Costa Blanca with gorgeous beaches, a colourful Old Town and unique nature.

Whether you’re sunbathing on the massive Playa del Arenal-Bol beach, or spotting wild flamingos at saltwater lagoon Las Salinas, Calpe makes for a Spanish holiday unlike any other.

This deal comes with a stay at Sunsea Village, a complex with a swimming pool, tennis courts and spacious apartments to stay in.

On the Beach offer a 7-night stay from 23 May, including return flights from Edinburgh, for £275pp.

Salou, Spain

Salou sits on Spain’s sunny Costa Dorada, where you can expect to find temps hovering at a toasty 25C in May.

This popular family destination has plenty to see and do, including water slides and rollercoasters at PortAventura World, and theme park Ferrari Land – home to the fastest and tallest hypercoaster in Europe, Red Force.

Bag a stay at the Rentalmar Apolo Suites, where you’ll have a modern apartment as your base with the beach just a few steps away, and PortAventura World just a few minutes down the road.

On the Beach offer a 5-night stay from 23 May, including return flights from London Luton, for £235pp.

Rhodes, Greece

Head to Rhodes in Greece this May for a slice of sun with plenty of history and charming streets lined with tavernas and souvenir shops to explore.

Faliraki is an energetic seaside resort with lots of watersports activities, nightlife and is home to Faliraki Water Park, one of Europe’s largest.

A stay at the Anseli Apartments comes with access to a shimmering swimming pool surrounded by loungers, plus a games area and TV lounge for somewhere to relax.

On the Beach offer a 4-night stay from 25 May, including return flights from Birmingham, for £365pp.

Agadir, Morocco

Agadir has a six mile stretch of sandy beach, colourful souks to explore – plus it reaches highs of up to 26C in May.

Whether you want to try new water sports, drive a beach buggy, or simply laze back on the sands and relax, this coastal resort has something for everyone.

The Bahia City Hotel is in an ideal location, just five minutes’ walk from Agadir beach with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay, including return flights from Leeds Bradford, for £369pp.

Manilva, Spain

Manilva sits on the Costa del Sol, and offers plenty to see and do for families.

The coastal town has a lively marina lined with bars and restaurants, your pick of unspoilt beaches, plus lots of wildlife such as dolphins and whales which you can spot from boat tours.

The Village Terrazas Costa del Sol is a picturesque holiday village with modern apartments, two outdoor pools, a kids club and regular live entertainment.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 25 May, including return flights from East Midlands Airport, for £329pp.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Puerto de la Cruz on the stunning Northern coast of Tenerife is a sunny coastal town with plenty of attractions and unique landscapes to explore.

Stroll through centuries of exotic plant collections at Jardín Botánico, or take a tour up to the volcanic peak of Mount Teide, or head to the beach at Playa Jardín with its unique black sand backed by palms, while Lago Martiánez has mineral-rich saltwater pools.

Be Smart Florida Plaza is an affordable base just a short walk from Playa Jardin and the Old Town, and it offers 132 spacious rooms plus a sizeable outdoor swimming pool.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 25 May, including return flights from Belfast, for £309pp.

Alvor, The Algarve, Portugal

Alvor is a pretty Portuguese fishing village, which is a fantastic option for those who want the coastal views without the crowds.

Here you can set off in boats or kayaks to discover the Bengali caves, cycle the Alvor boardwalk, or simply stretch out under the sun on Alvor’s two-and-a-half-mile Blue Flag beach.

The Clube Alvorferias is a modern, whitewashed hotel with a large circular swimming pool surrounded by palms. It has comfortable apartments with air con, balconies and kitchenettes, plus you’re only a 10-minute walk into the vibrant town centre.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 25 May, including return flights from Norwich, for £299pp.

IT’S not too late to book yourself a family holiday in the UK this May half term

Whether you’re a family of adrenaline junkies looking for a stay near a theme park, or after something more relaxing in a beachfront lodge, there’s something for you.

Here’s our pick of UK family holiday deals you can STILL book for this May half term.

Haven Marton Mere, Blackpool – £269

Haven offer a 3-night stay for a family of 4 in a saver caravan for £269 from 22 May

Haven Marton Mere is a holiday village just 10 minutes’ drive from Blackpool‘s famous seafront.

New for this year, the resort has refurbished its snazzy Showbar, plus introduced the Tiger Club Show – a live entertainment game show led by Rory the Tiger.

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Plus, just ten minutes’ drive from the resort will land you at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, who are revealing a brand new ride this year.

Aviktas is set to open on 21 May 2026, so there’s plenty of updates that make May the perfect time to book a family holiday to Blackpool.

Combe Haven, Sussex – £239

Haven offer a 3-night stay for a family of 4 in a saver caravan for £239 from 22 May

Combe Haven is an action-packed holiday park in St Leonard’s-on-Sea in East Sussex.

With a great seaside location on the English Channel coast just outside Hastings.

The true gem is the park’s swimming pool, with a lazy river, splash zone and Space Bowl flume.

Take a 10-minute drive to Hastings for some of the UK’s top historical sites, including Hastings Castle and the family-friendly attraction, Smuggler’s Adventure.

You can book a stay for this May half term in a caravan which sleeps up to four, meaning your last-minute holiday will only cost £60pp.

Stay in a quirky cow shed in Suffolk – £300

Sykes cottages offer a 3-night stay for 4 for £300 from 29 May

This unique stay in Campsea Ashe, Suffolk offers a selection of quirky, colourful cow sheds to stay in.

Pick between Bluebelle, Buttercup, Betsy, Dozy Dotty or Daisy for a unique staycation that the kids will love.

Each cow shed sleeps up to four and has bunk beds, a kitchenette, heating and all of your linen and towels included.

You also get access to a shared garden where you can have a family barbecue.

The site is a short drive from Aldeburgh, one of Suffolk’s most picturesque seaside towns.

Parkdean Wemyss Bay, Scotland – £256

Parkdean Resorts offer a 4-night stay from 25 May in a bronze caravan which sleeps up to 6 for £256

Perched on Scotland‘s stunning west coast, Parkdean Wemyss Bay offers an affordable coastal stay with loads to do on your doorstep.

This holiday park has plenty of activities for kids like its own amusement arcade, adventure playground and climbing wall.

There’s also an indoor pool with a paddling area, as well as steam and sauna rooms for the adults.

And if you fancy a day trip out, you can hop on a ferry to Rothesay to see its castle and gardens.

The resort also has sweeping views over the Firth, so there’s no need to leave site if you’d rather stay put and enjoy the views.

Parkdean St Margaret’s Bay – £409

Parkdean Resorts offer a 4-night stay from 25 May in a bronze caravan which sleeps up to 4 for £409

This peaceful holiday park in St Margaret’s Bay is only around a mile away from the White Cliffs of Dover, so you can tick off a famous sight with a stay here.

Plus this beautiful stretch of Kent coastline also has gems like Dover Castle and Canterbury to visit.

The resort itself is relaxed and all about the coastal views as opposed to bright and colourful entertainments and arcades.

It also has a heated indoor pool, gym and sauna to make that your trip all the more relaxing.

Park Holidays Burghead, Scotland – £409

Park Holidays offer a 7-night stay from 22 May in a gold caravan from which sleeps up to 6 for £409

This resort on the Moray Firth sits practically on the beach, plus you can even go dolphin spotting.

Burghead is a picturesque fishing town that feels much more remote and rugged than your typical busy seaside resort.

On site there’s plenty of amazing entertainment like live music and dancing, karaoke and bingo.

If you visit as a group of six, this bargain break over the May half term will cost you just £43pp!

Park Holidays Ribble Valley, Lancashire – £309

Park Holidays offer a 4-night stay from 25 May in a caravan which sleeps up to 6 for £309

For a relaxed family holiday in Lancashire this May, book a stay at Ribble Valley holiday park.

This peaceful countryside resort sits between the Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill, both of which offer walks with wonderful views.

This Lancashire holiday park is much more about getting away from the park and out into nature, rather than offering loads of action-packed activities on site.

But it does have landscaped gardens, a children’s play area, a gym and free access to The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa.

There’s also loads of family attractions nearby like Clitheroe Castle Museum and Bowland Boar Wildlife Park.

THERE’S still time to bag a bargain break for a long weekend away this May bank holiday

We found a selection of staycation deals across the UK that still have availability for both the early May bank holiday and the late bank holiday weekend.

From lodges in the woods, to farm stays with roaming cows, to resorts with outdoor pools overlooking the sea – here’s the best cheap UK holiday deals you can still book for a long weekend in May.

Relaxing Lodge stay in North York Moors National Park

3-night stay for two from 1 – 4 May: £284

Snap up this last-minute deal for the early May bank holiday and stay three nights in the cosy Thirley Beck Lodge, right in the stunning landscapes of the Yorkshire Moors.

This lodge is perfect for a couple’s retreat to the countryside, with a double bed and open plan kitchen, dining and seating area – plus a balcony and chairs to enjoy a sunset drink or morning coffee.

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The lodge sits on a working farm, so it’s not a rare sight for cattle, sheep or horses to roam the surrounding fields.

And for a change of scenery, the beautiful seaside village of Robin Hood’s Bay is only 20 minutes’ drive away.

Ty Hafan, Flintshire, Wales

3-night stay for two from 1 – 4 May: £292

Bag a stay at this pretty countryside cottage in North Wales for a last-minute romantic staycation for two.

Step into an adorable pastel blue cottage decorated with blooming flowers and mini white picket fence into a blue and cream-themed interior.

Make use of the afternoon tea table set, or enjoy a bottle of fizz out in your own private garden under the sun.

Nearby, you can visit Talacre Beach to watch the sun set behind its Grade II-listed lighthouse.

Last-minute getaway to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

3-night stay for two from 1 – 4 May: £292

This Parkdean resort in Scratby sits on a golden sand beach with plenty of relaxing coastal path walks nearby – plus it’s close to mega seaside resort Great Yarmouth.

Stay in a comfortable chalet and make use of the pool, crazy golf, on-site arcade and live evening entertainment at the Showbar every night.

Drive or take the bus just 15 minutes into Great Yarmouth to stroll its famous seaside pier – plus a go on the snail rides at the Joyland amusements is a must!

Safari Tent stay at Thorness Bay, Isle of Wight

3-night stay for up to four from 1 – 4 May: £169

Stay in a luxurious safari tent this bank holiday weekend on the sandy sweep of Thorness Bay on the Isle of Wight.

With two bedrooms, a unique safari-style look and wooden decking, the safari tents make your staycation feel like you’re holidaying somewhere more far-flung.

On the resort there’s a heated indoor pool with a waterslide, sports courts, arcades and more. Plus there’s a family-friendly restaurant and takeaway options like fish and chips and Costa Coffee.

And if you want to venture out, there’s a beautiful beach on your doorstep, plus the Isle of Wight Steam Railway is nearby, too.

Stay on Cornwall’s stunning Lizard Peninsula

3-night stay for up to three from 1 – 4 May: £184

Bag a bargain stay this early May bank holiday at Sea Acres Holiday Park in Helston, Cornwall.

The Sea Acres Holiday Park is close to top attractions like the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, as well as the pretty fishing town of Porthleven.

The resort has sweeping views over Kennack Sands, where you can take a dip in the water or catch a spectacular sunset.

Stay in a bronze caravan with a modern interior, kitchen, seating area with a flatscreen TV, plus a large comfy bed and sofabed.

Wooden Glamping Pod in Forrester Park Golf & Country Club, Essex

3-night stay for two from 22 – 25 May: £351

These cosy pods nestled in Forrester Park in the Essex countryside make for a very Instagrammable staycation.

Each wooden dome comes with a cosy seating area, kitchenette, a double bed under a window looking out to the forest, decking to soak up the sun, and access to a hot tub.

Within Forrester Park there’s Padel courts, a driving range and several restaurants offering everything from fry-ups to a Sunday roast – turning your woodland retreat into an action-packed weekend away.

Enjoy a classic seaside stay at Cleethorpes Pearl, Lincolnshire

3-night stay for two from 22 – 25 May: £298

This holiday resort in the traditional seaside town of Cleethorpes has plenty to see and do on-site, including live entertainment and lots of child-friendly activities.

The heated outdoor pool area has a sun terrace with plenty of loungers, and looks more like a posh resort abroad than it does a UK holiday park.

The food at this resort is fantastic, too, as restaurants and shacks serve up everything from Filthy Fries to Magical Milkshakes.

Nearby you can laze out on the sands of Cleethorpes Beach, or hop on the historic Cleethorpes Light Railway – which makes a stop at the tiniest pub in the world.

Whitecliff Bay, Isle of Wight

3-night stay for two from 22 – 25 May: £298

Whitecliff Bay on the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight is a gorgeous coastal destination with golden beaches overlooked by dramatic cliffs.

The Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park is a scenic spot to stay, with a giant outdoor pool looking out to sea.

On-site there’s activities like a crazy golf course, and stylish places to eat and drink like The Nab Bar and The Culver Club.

Nearby head to the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary to spot rare species, or Dinosaur Isle for family-friendly fossil walks.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mark Sanford, the former South Carolina congressman and governor whose political ascendancy was stalled by a 2009 affair, wants to return to Congress — again.

Just hours ahead of the deadline to do so, Sanford filed candidacy paperwork with state officials to run in the June 9 GOP primary for South Carolina’s 1st District seat, which he has held twice before.

Sanford’s first political office was in the 1st District. An outsider with almost no name recognition, he navigated a primary for the open seat, finishing second before winning the runoff. He served for six years before his outside run at governor, again pushing his way through a crowded primary, then knocking off the last Democrat to hold the office.

But his eight years were overshadowed by the Appalachian Trail, which became shorthand for Sanford’s disappearance to go to Argentina to see his lover. Sanford’s wife, family and his staff didn’t know where he was.

Beating back both an ethics inquiry and calls to resign, Sanford held fast, leaving office on his own terms.

In 2013, Sanford won back his old seat, beating 15 other candidates in a primary and runoff. He won two more full terms before falling to a GOP challenger in 2018 who had President Trump’s backing.

The seat would go on to flip to Democratic hands that fall for the first time in decades, won back by GOP Rep. Nancy Mace in 2020. Mace is running for governor this year.

Sanford, 65, also briefly ran for president in 2020, challenging Trump for the nomination in what he characterized as a “long shot” effort around warnings about the national debt. Some, including Sanford’s former gubernatorial staffers, initially questioned whether the effort was a serious one, positing that it might be an effort to stay relevant after the 2018 defeat.

Sanford dropped out of the contest just ahead of the New Hampshire primary. Sanford’s home state would ultimately opt not to hold a 2020 GOP presidential primary, clearing the way for Trump’s nomination in South Carolina.

Sanford did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Monday. True to the themes that have dominated his political thinking, an email release on Sanford’s candidacy focused on the national debt, with the candidate saying he felt 1st District voters wanted a representative “who is an advocate for financial sanity that has been lost in Washington for all too long.“

Since leaving the U.S. House, Sanford has hung onto more than $1.3 million in a federal campaign account, funds that he can now use in a primary already crowded with multiple Republican and Democratic candidates.

Kinnard and Collins write for the Associated Press.