The UK’s leading holiday companies, Thomson and First Choice, have announced their summer 2018 holiday line-up with an expansion of their mid-haul holiday collections following a rise in holidaymakers looking for destinations a little closer to home. 

From May next year customers will be able to head to new Balkan hotspot, Varna, Bulgaria with its picturesque seaside location.

The line-up for summer 2018 will also include brand new exciting self-drive itineraries in Florida, including road trips to the much loved Deep South, a wider range of multi-centre holidays with itineraries to the likes of Costa Rica, Croatia and the Caribbean.

Also on offer will be a new contemporary, adults-only hotel in the TUI Sensimar collection in Halkidiki, a brand new TUI Sensatori Resort in Rhodes and two First Choice SuneoClub hotels in Bulgaria.

Thomson and First Choice customers will also be able to take advantage of the introduction of new flight routes across a number of UK airports including London Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol.

The move to introduce additional Thomson Airways routes forms part of the holiday company’s strategy to ensure customers across the UK can fly to some of the world’s most desirable destinations from their local airport.

Thomson and First Choice have recently seen a rise in the microadventurer – customers who are looking to pack more into their holidays than ever before - and Varna is the ideal destination to do this without travelling further afield. Predicted to be one of the most popular destinations next summer, Varna is top of the list for culture and relaxation with its beautiful location on the Black Sea coast.

Thomson will begin offering holidays flying to Bulgaria’s bustling city of Varna in May 2018.

The Balkan destination, which is the third biggest city in the country, is bursting with culture, including the renowned Roman baths and the golden-domed Cathedral of the Assumption.

Holidaymakers are able to relax in the popular resort of Golden Sands and enjoy the beautiful beaches and stunning scenery.

With two weekly flights from London Gatwick and Manchester airport, holidaymakers will have plenty of choice and flexibility when it comes to the duration of their holiday.

They will also have the option of choosing from a wide selection of resorts, including First Choice’s new 3Sun SuneoClub hotel Odessos in Golden Sands with its great value all-inclusive offering and freshly decked out rooms.

The eleventh addition to the popular TUI Sensatori collection is the TUI Sensatori Resort Rhodes by Atlantica.

With almost three quarters of the TUI Sensatori collection now based in mid-haul destinations, Thomson customers will now have more opportunity to soak up the sun from a luxurious swim-up room or enjoy quality time with their loved ones in one of the collection’s exquisite restaurants a little closer to home.

Located 20 kilometres from Lindos and set on the beach, the TUI Sensatori Rhodes is perfect for avid explorers and beach goers.

With a pool to suit every mood, themed á la carte restaurants, activities and sports for the whole family, including a spa to unwind in, guests can leave their busy lives behind and fuel their senses at this stunning resort.

Brand new for summer 2018 are self-drive tour itineraries in Florida.

This unique and exciting programme offers road trips travelling from Florida to places such as the Deep South, visiting the likes of vibrant New Orleans, Nashville and Miami where holidaymakers will have the option to swim with the manatees at the famous Crystal River.

Trips will include flights, car hire and pre-booked hotels and will be available on both seven and 14 night packages as stand-alone tours or as part of the wider, expanding multi-centre holidays range.

This will be the first time holidaymakers are able to book the entire package of flights, cars and hotels in one go online with any travel brand in the UK.

Also new for Florida are further fly-drive itineraries and additional beach resorts, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Clearwater Beach and St Pete Beach.

Thomson will also be offering an increased programme of multi-centre holidays which includes new short, mid and long haul destinations giving a wider variety of choice and flexibility to holidaymakers and microadventurers wanting to combine different destinations on their holiday.