Relaxation and adventure – where to find the best of both in Egypt, Mexico and the Canaries

. UK edition

Sunny beach with thatched umbrellas in Hurghada. A magnificent temple in Chichen Itza. Volcanoes at sunset in Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote.
Beaches, volcanos, ancient ruins – these destinations have something for everyone. Composite: Shutterstock

Can’t decide if you want to fly-and-flop or chase adventures? With these three holiday destinations, you don’t have to choose

It’s the time of year when sunnier climes and the question of where to holiday next starts to beckon. And, with that comes the eternal conundrum – booking a trip that pleases everyone. You know the drill: someone’s seeking lazy beach days and poolside R&R, while others are raring to see and do, craving adrenaline-boosting outdoor activities and remarkable sights. Whether you’re planning a break with a friend, partner or the whole family, there are plenty of destinations – and TUI holidays – that can satisfy both. Read on for destinations that deliver on fly-and-flop and get-up-and-go.

Egypt

Synonymous with vibrant souks, picturesque beaches and a raft of watersports – above, and below the warm, turquoise waters of the Red Sea – Egypt is a real crowdpleaser. Sharm el-Sheikh, at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, has approximately 22 miles of coastline, where white sands melt into an underwater playground, and coral reefs teem with fish and sculling sea turtles.

Sharm is home to heaps of Padi-certified dive centres, and sites range from those suitable for snorkellers and beginners, such as Ras Katy where parrotfish dart between coral pinnacles, to more advanced diving spots such as the world-renowned Ras Mohammed national park, and the atmospheric British second world war cargo ship wreck SS Thistlegorm. Other diversions include the old market bazaar, the minaret-topped Al Sahaba Mosque, and – for the night owls – Bus Stop Club (formerly Pacha) where open-air parties are soundtracked by house and electronic tunes.

And when it comes to hotels, you’ll be spoilt for choice too. TUI BLUE Sensatori Coral Sea, 20 minutes’ drive from the old town, has a beachfront setting, a mix of kid and adult pools, Balinese treatments at Chavana Spa, as well as snazzy swim-up suites. Those in go-slow mode can rifle through the book exchange before settling in for views of Ras Nasrani Bay, while snorkel and diving jaunts led by on-site Aquarius Diving Club to nearby Tiran Island will thrill explorers.

Hurghada, another coastal resort, over on the west coast of the Red Sea, also offers pristine golden beaches and watersports aplenty; kitesurfing’s a dream, thanks to shallow lagoons and year-round, north-westerly thermal winds. Families will relish TUI MAGIC LIFE Kalawy which has five fun-filled pools – including one with three waterslides – and a private beach sweep with canoes and stand up paddleboards.

Adults-only Premier Le Reve has a spa with sauna, steam room, Turkish hammam and hot tubs, and – for those who book the VIP package – access to a glass-roofed Sky Pool.

Canary Islands

Otherworldly volcanic landscapes, impressive beaches and year-round sunshine; it’s no wonder these Spanish islands, sitting about 60 miles off the north-west coast of Africa are a perennial holiday favourite.

For wild scenery and opportunities to unwind, the Canaries’ largest island, Tenerife, does the trick, with volcanic black sandy beaches in the north, man-made golden arcs in the livelier south and top-notch surf spots across the board. At the island’s heart is hiker’s haven Teide national park, where the world’s third-tallest volcano, 3,718m Mount Teide, looms large among craggy rockscapes and grey-green vegetation where Tenerife lizards skitter and Teide blue finches flit.

Twenty minutes’ drive from the bustle of the southern resort towns Playa De Las Americas and Costa Adeje, Barcelo Tenerife – part of TUI’s Green and Fair collection – has stylish terracotta accommodation and cacti-filled courtyards, a multitude of pools and a kids club for ages four-12.

While day trips to Teide national park are only an hour’s drive away, the hotel sits in the San Blas Environmental Reserve, a unique volcanic landscape that formed 4m years ago. Here, there are archeological sites to discover, as well as stargazing after dark.

Prefer an adults-only stay? Recently revamped clifftop Bahia Principe Luxury Tenerife in nearby Costa Adeje, has four restaurants to keep foodies happy, and days can be spent drinking in the panoramic views of the Atlantic.

Lanzarote – north-east of Tenerife – is another strong Canaries pick with hikes at Timanfaya national park revealing lunar-like scenery, a pic’n’mix of of dazzling black, gold and white sandy beaches, and a culture hit, as artworks by Lanzarote’s own legendary artist, César Manrique, are peppered island-wide.

TUI BLUE Flamingo Beach, in the south of the island, is an ideal spot for a family recharge. Just next to the 300m-long golden ribboning sands of Flamingo Beach, there eight pools – or the shallow, turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean to splash in – and a top-notch entertainment programme. At nearby Playa Blanca, scuba divers can visit Museo Atlántico, Europe’s first underwater museum and plunge into the depths to discover more than 300 sunken Jason deCaires Taylor sculptures.

Mexico

Mexico’s coastline – all 6,000 miles of it – is awe-inspiring stuff. Add in swathes of jungle, heart pumping watersports and step-back-in-time Mayan ruins, and it’s a heavyweight destination for mix-and-match relaxation and adventure. Whether holidaying in party haven Cancun, soaking up the sun in Playacar and Playa Del Carmen, or exploring laid-back Tulum, the country’s eastern Caribbean coast has more handsome beaches than you can shake a stick at.

Cancun’s a classic when it comes to making merry, known for its nightlife and waterparks. Farther down the Caribbean coast’s Yucatan Peninsula, Playacar and Playa del Carmen feature forested swathes peppered with cenotes – limestone sinkholes, with deep freshwater pools and waterways, considered sacred by the Maya – and easy-to-linger-on beaches. From either destination, it’s an easy day trip to both bohemian Tulum, where cave divers can get an adrenaline kick exploring sinkholes with vivid blue water, or to visit big-hitting archeological site Chichen Itza.

While perennial favourite Cancun has plenty to keep explorers busy, Royalton Splash Cancun offers more than enough entertainment for an entire getaway, with its own whopping waterpark. It’s one of the largest in the Caribbean, with 14 waterslides and two lazy rivers. Fifty minutes’ south, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Water Park, just outside Playa del Carmen, pairs a beachfront locale and jungle ambience. Its sprawling grounds are home to mangroves, cenotes and a 29-slide waterpark, and slower-paced thrills include a spa, and cenote-side sound healing and yoga. Another strong option is RIU Tequila in nearby Playacar, which has a cluster of pools – including one, for adults, with a swim-up bar – and is a three-minute shuttle to Playacar Beach’s white sands.

Get more from your holiday with TUI. You pick it, TUI sorts it.