Escorted holidays with flights included: what the price covers, line by line

Yes, Spice Escapes sells escorted holidays with flights included: on most of our holidays you choose a UK airport in the price table and the flights are part of the package, along with a host who travels with the group. If you would rather book your own flight, there is a land-only price too, so you can see exactly what the flights add before you commit.

If you read the small print before the pictures, this page sets out what a Spice price covers, what it does not, and how the protection works, so nothing surprises you when you arrive on your own.

How the price table works

The lowest listed price on a holiday is usually the own-travel price, so check the airport rows for the price with flights. Every holiday page has an "Availability and pricing" table. Each row is a choice: one row per UK departure airport, with the group flights booked for you, and one row for your own travel. Below that sit the room choices. Every holiday carries a single supplement or a room-to-yourself cost, and our single supplement guide explains how we keep it fair.

Under the table is a list of what is included, and often a second list of what is not. Read both: that is where the meals, transfers and extras are.

Protection and paperwork

Spice Escapes is ATOL protected under licence 9046, and that covers flight-inclusive holidays. Choose an airport row and your package is protected. Choose your own flight and the ATOL cover does not extend to a flight you booked yourself. Travel insurance is your responsibility on every holiday, and we will ask you to have it before you travel.

Crete Discovery: the most arranged of the four

Crete Discovery is the one to look at if you want nearly everything settled in advance. You take a direct flight from the UK, meet the group and transfer to the first hotel. There are only two bases, three nights in Aghios Nikolaos and four in Rethymno, with half board throughout, so dinner is already arranged every night. Lauren Fawkes hosts. One point for careful readers: the tour operator for this holiday is Living Crete, under its own ATOL 9703, and Spice Escapes acts as agent. 7 nights, 5 Oct 2027 – 12 Oct 2027, lowest listed price £1,499, 14 places left. More in our Greece holidays.

Iceland Discovery: excursions in the price

On Iceland Discovery you fly to Keflavik and transfer to the Centerhotel Plaza in central Reykjavik, where breakfast is included. Three excursions are part of the package: a panoramic tour of Reykjavik, a full day on the Golden Circle, and the Blue Lagoon with entrance paid. Host Jackie Whyte, 4 nights, lowest listed price £1,414, 12 Nov 2026 – 16 Nov 2026, 2 places left.

South Africa Discovery: long haul with a host waiting

For a first long-haul trip alone, South Africa Discovery takes the worry out of arriving. You fly overnight to Cape Town, and Sue Giddings meets you in arrivals and stays for the whole trip. The itinerary lists the meals included day by day, so you know in advance which lunches and dinners are covered and which are free. 10 nights, lowest listed price £3,499, 29 Mar 2027 – 8 Apr 2027, 9 places left. See also our escorted tours worldwide.

A Taste of Lisbon: read the small print

A Taste of Lisbon is a useful example of why the lists matter. Breakfast is in and Pam Harte hosts, but airport transfers are not, because the metro stops close to the hotel and is the quickest way in. 3 nights, lowest listed price £639, 15 Apr 2027 – 18 Apr 2027, 9 places left. Browse more in culture and discovery holidays.

Questions people ask

Can I fly from my local airport?

Only from the airports shown in that holiday's price table. If yours is not listed, you can choose the own-travel price and book your own flight. Ask us first and we will tell you how to match the group's arrival.

Is the host with us on the flight?

Sometimes, and sometimes the host meets the group at the other end. The holiday page and your joining information say which. Either way you will know where to go and who to look for.

Are tips, drinks and excursions included?

It varies by holiday, and the included and not included lists on each page are the answer. Optional excursions are priced separately where they exist. If anything is unclear, ask us before you book.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, it is required on every holiday. We do not sell it, so buy a policy that covers your whole trip, any medical conditions and cancellation.

Ask us what is included before you book

We would rather you asked than guessed. Tell us which holiday you are looking at and which airport suits you, and we will go through the price line by line. Rob Thompson, who owns Spice Escapes and hosts holidays himself, and the rest of the team are happy to help. If this is your first trip on your own, start with our guide for first-time solo travellers or our over 50s solo holidays, or read what makes a Spice Escape different. When you are ready, contact the team.