From Britain to Barbados – inside ten of Charles’ favourite holiday escapes ahead of his coronation
IT’S nearly time to dust off the tea set and pop open the bubbly for the Coronation of King Charles.
On May 6, we will be tuning in to watch his official crowning.
But why let the celebrations come to an end there?
Having visited a wealth of countries during his time as Prince of Wales, Charles III knows a thing or two about fabulous holiday destinations.
Here Sophie Swietochowski picks out some regal escapes.
Sri Lanka
THE monarch had a fun-filled visit to the Indian Ocean island in 2021 as part of a royal tour.
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It’s no surprise he enjoyed himself so much – the country is packed with soft sandy beaches lined by coconut palms, and deep sunsets bathe it in wonderful colours.
Book by May 31 and you can save £800pp at the 5H Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, which has its own beach and is close to national parks and whale-watching spots.
Seven nights’ half-board costs from £1,829pp, including flights on selected dates that depart between now and October 31.
See or call 01342 331 795.
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Italy
HAVING reportedly travelled 18 times on official visits, the King knows Italy pretty well.
His 1985 tour alongside Diana took him to several sun-soaked regions, including Sardinia, Milan and Rome.
The Italian capital, with its ancient Colosseum and the spectacular Trevi Fountain, is perfect for history buffs.
You can bag a long weekend there for under £700 with Jet2citybreaks.
Three nights’ room-only at the well-located 4H Mercure Roma Corso Trieste is from £679pp, including flights from Newcastle on May 26.
Expect chic rooms decorated with green velvet cushions and a lounge bar serving icy cocktails.
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Isles of Scilly
CORNWALL and Devon may be the most popular staycation spots in South-West England, but our King prefers to venture a little farther than Penzance.
One of his favourite British holiday spots is the Scilly Isles, which include Tresco where he even has his own castle.
These magical islands are so unspoilt, the best way to see them is by campervan.
That way you can fully enjoy the glorious heathland, smoth-ered in beautiful bell heather and evergreen shrubs.
A six-berth Mobilvetta motor-home comes with fully equipped kitchenette and bathroom, and costs £862 for seven days, including breakdown cover, two insured drivers and 200km mile-age per day.
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Malta
THIS sun-drenched archipelago has to be top of any royalist’s list, as it was where Charles made his first ever royal visit.
He went there as a five-year-old prince in 1954, with Princess Anne and his mother the Queen, the year after her Coronation..
It’s still a destination much loves by our royals – and their subjects, too, with lots of bargain holidays available.
Blue Sea Holidays has seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H DB Seabank Resort & Spa Hotel from £649pp, including flights from Liverpool on May 8.
There is all you need including three massive pools, seven restauants, four bars, a kids’ club and regular entertainment.
And you’ll feel just like a king, with all meals and drinks already paid for by the time you arrive.
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Barbados
HIS Majesty is planning to visit several Caribbean countries on an official tour following the Coronation, but Barbados is a particular favourite of his.
Even though it removed the Queen as its head of state in 2021, it remains in the Common-wealth and there is guaranteed sunshine year round.
Splurge on the all-suite 4H South Beach Hotel on the south coast of the island where seven nights’ B&B is from £1,335pp, including flights from Heathrow on June 29.
The resort has everything for a laid-back getaway, including pool, in-room spa services and white-sand beach.
See or call 0344 493 0124.
Canada
THE monarch has always taken pride in Britain’s relationship with Canada, which joined the Commonwealth as an independent state in 1931.
King Charles visited in 2022 on a brief three-day trip for Canada’s celebration for the Queen’s jubilee.
It’s worth spending a little more time out there when visiting yourself, though.
My Canada Trips offers bucket list getaways, ticking off some of the places our King has visited.
Book by April 30 and you can bag an 11-day self-drive trip around Nova Scotia, from £2,379pp, including flights from London to Halifax on September 4, plus accommodation and car hire.
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Wales
AS the longest-ever serving Prince of Wales, who studied for a semester at Aberystwyth University and has a home in Carmarthenshire, King Charles has strong roots in Wales.
You’ll find mementos of the monarch scattered all across this country, which is rich in culture and unspoilt landscape.
Book a walking holiday to soak up as much of the captivating scenery as you can.
HF Holidays has a three-night self-guided Snowdonia tour from £308pp, which includes accommodation at 3H Dolserau Hall and all meals as well as routes and maps.
Better still, if you visit during the Coronation day, you can watch the crowning on a big screen while tucking into a themed afternoon tea made up of fizz and big slices of Victoria sponge.
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Germany
IT seems fitting that Charles’s first state visit as King was to Germany last month, where he was greeted by cheering crowds.
He not only has German ancestry, he speaks the language and reportedly has such a fondness for the country, he has visited more than 40 times.
For those keen to find out what’s so special about the region, TUI offers River Cruises that let you tick off several areas in one hit.
Christmas is a great time of year to go and you can bag a five-night full-board Festive Flavours cruise along the Rhine from £900pp, calling at Mainz, Bonn, Cologne, Dusseldorf and Koblenz.
The price includes flights from Gatwick on December 12.
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The Netherlands
YOU can’t beat a city break in Amsterdam, where cafes spill on to the cobbled streets and canals criss-cross through the centre.
It is a cultural haven.
The city, known for its laid-back, friendly atmosphere, is much-loved by his highness too, who has visited The Netherlands nine times over his lifetime.
Grab the cheapest accommodation deal you can as you’ll want to be out exploring most of the time.
EasyJet Holidays is offering three nights’ room-only at the Best Western Plus Amstelveen from £280pp, including flights from Edinburgh on May 8.
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Corfu
The rugged Greek island of Corfu is one of his majesty’s favourite holiday destinations and he once told an Athens newspaper: “Greece is in my blood and I have long had a fascination for her ancient culture and history”.
There are some really cracking deals out there right now too, such as seven nights’ B&B at the 3H Hotel Mimosa from £449pp with Jet2holidays.
It includes flights from Birmingham on May 4, so you can spend the Coronation in sizzling sunshine.
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There are two outdoor pools, but the picturesque Sidari beach is only a two-minute walk away if you prefer to paddle in the sea.
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