Summer holidays on the mind? There's still time to book a bargain

Simon Calder’s Travel Week [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE: £20 FOR 1 YEAR]( July 11, 2023 [View in browser](   SIMON CALDER’S TRAVEL WEEK [The Independent]( [The Independent]( Topic of the week | Welcome to our special Amazon Prime Day newsletter Summer is in full swing, and we can’t fault you if you’ve got one thing front and centre in your mind: dreams of an incredible holiday. We’ve a wealth of [travel inspiration]( that will help you book, whatever sort of break takes your fancy. If you don’t want to travel too far, our [guide to the regions of France]( reveals how to find the finest of Gallic charm; if you don’t want to leave the UK, consider some of these [amazing places for beach stays](. If heading further afield appeals, these [tropical spots in Hawaii]( are worth some attention. Plus, there’s still availability for [these holidays in August](. If you want to take your break after peak season, we'll help you discover the best places to visit in [September](, [October]( and [November](. Still on the hunt for a cracking deal? [We’ve found the best deals from the Amazon Prime Day sale]( that begins today, with bargain prices on vacuums, coffee machines, fans, laptops and more… Roaming along the Rhone: France's regions make for memorable holidays crossings Fares to the US are soaring across this summer, but two airlines offer good deals on relatively new routes. From Heathrow and Gatwick, jetBlue flies to New York and Boston. Norse Atlantic has just launched flights from Gatwick to Los Angeles and San Francisco. [US TRAVEL GUIDE]( [I'm an image]( Dieppe direct Pressure on ferry fares is rising, but there is still some value to be found on the four-hour trip between Newhaven and Dieppe. A family of four going out on 1 August for a week currently costs £311 return, including the car. [FRANCE TRAVEL GUIDE](   Question of the week     Best deal for a good-value journey this summer?         Where do you recommend for a cut-price but interesting jaunt as soon as possible, taking around two weeks?         Go to and through eastern Europe. Fly to [Tallinn](, Estonia, one of the finest capitals in Europe. Take a two-hour bus ride east to Narva with a beautiful riverside location and the chill of a Cold War frontier: this is the Russian border. The impact of decades spent under the control of Moscow has left its mark throughout eastern Europe, as you discover travelling south through the Baltic Republics on trains or very reliable buses. Pause in the Latvian capital, Riga, as well as Vilnius in Lithuania. [Our brand new guide to Estonia]( Kaliningrad, the fragment of Russia on the southern Baltic coast, is currently out of bounds, but [Gdansk]( in Poland has much to offer – including the spectacular Solidarity Museum in the old Lenin Shipyards, where liberation began. Handily, it is also very close to Sopot, in my opinion the finest Baltic resort and a great place to indulge for a few days. Next stop, Warsaw: rebuilt after the devastation of the Second World War, with an impressive Old Town and some good museums. [Krakow](, just a couple of hours south by fast train, is likely to be the highlight of the trip: the medieval roots of its role as Polish capital until the end of the 17th century are preserved, along with what remains of the city’s once-vibrant Jewish neighbourhood. There are many budget flights back to the UK from Krakow or nearby Katowice. [Save £300 with TUI]( All-inclusive deal at the RIU Vistamar in Gran Canaria Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our [welcome offer when you join today](. [The very best Amazon Prime Day tech deals today – including TVs, laptops, tablets and speakers]( [SHOP DEALS]( [Need a new coffee machine or vacuum? Our guide has the top deals on these appliances and more]( [SHOP DEALS](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [Climate News]( Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle [Join now]( [IndyEats]( IndyEats Every Saturday, 7am (UK time) Written by Hannah Twiggs [Join now]( [Climate News] Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle [Join now]( [IndyEats] IndyEats Every Saturday, 7am (UK time) Written by Hannah Twiggs [Join now]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. 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