Sarah Holt

United Kingdom

Writer at Freelance

Travel Journalist at The Guardian

Travel Journalist at The Times

Travel Journalist at Cruise Critic (U.S.)

Travel Journalist at Mail Online

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Articles

Eight overlooked European islands for summer - and the best time to visit

4 weeks ago | inews.co.uk | Sarah Holt

Few things suggest summer more than an island escape, but the Crusoe lifestyle doesn’t always come cheap. According to travel search engine Kayak, which has a Budget Your Trip tool, the average cost of a week in crowd-pleasing Mykonos over July and August is now £3,196 per couple. Popular European islands can also get stiflingly busy. The Balearics saw more than 2.5 million visitors last July alone. For context, the population of its biggest island, Mallorca, is less than 1m.
Nine of Europe’s overlooked lakes for an affordable summer escape

2 months ago | inews.co.uk | Sarah Holt

With their peacock-blue waters and cypress tree-spiked shores, Lake Garda and Como are sirens for tourists. Yet with Garda alone attracting 25 million visitors every year, holidays to these great lakes don’t come with a great deal of elbow room. Fortunately, there are lookalikes across Europe where you can escape both the crowds and the premium prices that come with a more famous lakeside stay.
Eight pretty European market towns for a tranquil and affordable spring escape

2 months ago | inews.co.uk | Sarah Holt

Many European cities are overcrowded and overpriced during the peak holiday season. Venice’s day-tripper fee will be as much as €10 (£8.35) this summer. Amsterdam has upped its tourist tax to 12.5 per cent of hotel costs, and anti-tourism protests are expected to continue in Barcelona. Read NextRead MoreBut city, coast and rural countryside aren’t the only options for spring or summer trips to Europe.
Seven easy Easter holidays in the sun to book now

Mar 8, 2025 | inews.co.uk | Sarah Holt

Read NextRead MoreEaster arrives particularly late this year – the bank holiday weekend is three weeks later than it was in 2024. While this may be bad news for children eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Easter bunny, it is better news for holidaymakers, because short-haul warmth will be more easily accessible. UK travellers are already making the most of this, according to Advantage Travel Partnership, the UK’s largest group of independent travel agents.
Europe's most picturesque seaside towns you can reach by rail

Feb 22, 2025 | inews.co.uk | Sarah Holt

As the days lengthen, you may be contemplating Easter escapes and summer holidays with ice creams on the beach. Instead of an airport and car hire combination, why not try a different approach this year, and travel to a coastal resort by train? Read NextRead MoreWith more tour operators – including Intrepid, First Choice and Inntravel – offering flight-free itineraries, rail travel is growing in popularity.
How to see the world's top sights for FREE

Jan 26, 2025 | dailymail.co.uk | Sarah Holt

It's no secret that sight-seeing can be expensive. This year, for example, a 90-minute guided tour of Buckingham Palace’s East Wing will set you back £90 per person. Yet exploring doesn’t always have to leave such a hole in your wallet. With a little planning, you can see many of the world’s top sights for free. Here’s how…Dozens of landmarks and museums across Europe open their doors for free on certain Sundays every month – Italy is especially good for this.
The off-beat winter sun escape with quiet beaches, islands and adventure

Dec 11, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Sarah Holt

“Tread carefully,” my guide tells me. “Try not to snap the twigs.” I stalk gingerly through the jungle, cringing every time there’s a crackle beneath my feet, but eventually my effort at stealth pays off.  The treetops near me begin to shake like cheerleader pompoms. Then there’s a hail of auburn-coloured bodies in the air above – at least 20 Western red colobus monkeys, with infants in tow, fly kicking through the trees.
The off-beat winter sun escape with quiet beaches, islands and adventure

Dec 11, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Sarah Holt

“Tread carefully,” my guide tells me. “Try not to snap the twigs.” I stalk gingerly through the jungle, cringing every time there’s a crackle beneath my feet, but eventually my effort at stealth pays off.  The treetops near me begin to shake like cheerleader pompoms. Then there’s a hail of auburn-coloured bodies in the air above – at least 20 Western red colobus monkeys, with infants in tow, fly kicking through the trees.
Eight stunning UK seaside and market towns to visit before this Christmas

Nov 22, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Sarah Holt

Whether you consider Christmas the most wondrous time of the year or find the season testing, a UK break can give you a breather from the build-up to 25 December. Step into the season with walks in winter wonderlands, mulled wines by blazing fires, stocking filler shopping and festive feasts. Here are a few of the prettiest places to escape to across the UK…Read NextTravelRead MoreWith its crooked, cobbled streets and timber-framed houses, Rye could be the poster child for cosy winter breaks.
The great-value winter sun holiday with beaches and safari - but no jet lag

Sep 20, 2024 | inews.co.uk | Sarah Holt |Emma Featherstone

Omar, who is driving the safari vehicle, suddenly steps on the accelerator. The Toyota Landcruiser begins to rattle as we tear down the twisting tracks of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya, making my body feel momentarily like a maraca. We slow down. There is a pause as the breeze tussles the bush, in a part of the park between Aruba Dam and the Voi River, before a paw appears. A muscular lioness emerges and pads on to the path in front of us.