On the road

TV puts Greek islands in the spotlight

The Greek island of Skiathos, known for its stunning landscapes and ‘Mamma Mia’ film locations, has long been a favourite destination for travellers seeking an idyllic Mediterranean getaway.

Now, with the ITV theatre competition, “I Have a Dream” Greek islands including Skiathos are set to become even more of an irresistible paradise for those in search of a unique holiday experience, according to Greek luxury specialist tour operator, Planet Holidays.

Hosted by radio and TV personality Zoe Ball, “I Have a Dream” is a glimpse into the world of musical theatre, celebrating the talent and entertainment of aspiring performers vying for the coveted roles of Sophie and Sky in the iconic musical, Mamma Mia!

Zoe Ball is joined by a panel of judges, including comedian and TV personality Alan Carr, singer-songwriter Jessie Ware, Olivier Award-winner Amber Riley, and Samantha Barks, a star of Frozen in London’s West End, who will provide insight, guidance, and mentorship.

The competition is set against the backdrop of the Greek islands, with the contestants judged and mentored by industry professionals through workshops, masterclasses, and live performances. The stakes are high as the contestants strive to claim the roles made famous by Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper in the feel-good musical.

The grand finale will take place live at a West End theatre in London, where the two talented winners will emerge triumphant, securing the roles of Sophie and Sky in Mamma Mia! and given the chance to perform in the 25^th anniversary production at the Novello Theatre.

For fans of Mamma Mia! looking to immerse themselves in the magic of Skiathos and other Greek Islands, Planet Holidays offers a range of luxury holiday packages that provide the perfect balance of leisure and exploration.

Greek island hoping to all of the Sporades includes Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos, Combine all three with prices for 2024 from £3485 per person to included return flights from Gatwick plus inter-island transfers, and accommodation in 5-star luxury properties featured by Planet Holidays.

Alternatively, for just a week in Skiathos, prices from £1299 per person to include return flights from Gatwick (other UK airports also available), transfers and accommodation at the luxurious 5-star Elivi Hotel, Koukounaries, on bed and breakfast.

Travellers can experience locations featured in the Mamma Mia! films, visit quaint villages, and enjoy the crystal-clear waters that inspired the romantic scenes of the movies, indulging in Greek cuisine and hospitality at its best while enjoying the island’s vibrant culture. Plus any couples looking to tie the knot can do so through sister company Planet Weddings, nuptials are offered to Skiathos and Skopelos, as well as many more islands too.

Planet Holidays specialises in tailor made holidays to suit individual requirements rather than offering standard packages, ideal for the independent traveller who wants to be covered by ABTA and AITO – with ‘accommodation-only’ bookings also protected. Planet Holidays and Planet Weddings, are a member of the Sunvil family.

For further information contact Planet Holidays on 01438 841 270 or book online at www.planet-holidays.co.uk

Stylish fifth generation SUV has much to offer

By Bill McCarthy

I first drove a Sportage way back at the turn of the century on a memorable trip to Boston in America. It was the only hire car left and I was struck by the odd stance, never really having heard of Kia. It was a bit of an ugly duckling, but proved well up for the job in hand.

Nearly 25 years later, the ugly duckling has turned into a more elegant swan as the Kia success story accelerates, with a growing range of models and still offering the market leading seven-year warranty.

The fact that it’s Kia’s best-selling model in the UK, Europe, and globally speaks to its popularity and potential and this fth generation incarnation sees a model purely designed for the European market and features the best of the Korean car maker’s ingenuity.

There is a choice of various powertrains, including petrol, mild hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid, and the low CO2 emissions are a big plus, as the firm tries to enhance its green credentials.

How does it look? It’s a popular car in the UK and while making SUVs good looking is not the easiest task, the Sportage is pretty elegant, with a more sculpted profile that stands out with chrome accents, what the firm calls it Tiger Nose grille and the availability of different wheel sizes and designs gives customers a choice to match their preferences. It also features18-inch alloys, folding door mirror and smart led light clusters.

What about the interior: The Sportage has a modern, classy interior and is family orientated car, with comfortable, supportive suede seats and good head and legroom. Large glass areas allow plenty of light into the cabin. It has increased luggage capacity and rear seat occupants get 996mm of legroom courtesy of new slimline front seats. Luggage capacity is excellent with the standard 591 litres rising to 1,780 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Tech and equipment: Twin 12.3-inch touchscreens which allows drivers to easily switch between the infotainment via, on this mode, the Harmon Kardon sound system, climate settings controls and features such as navigation. Kia Connect allows connectivity for smartphone compatibility. Comprehensively equipped, it offers , climate control, heated steering wheel, , chromatic mirror, paddle sifted, heated front seats, to mention just a few.

Hybrid power: This hybrid model features a 1.6 litre petrol engine paired with a powerful 66.9kW electric motor and a larger 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, mated with a six speed auto transmission. It delivers decent pace, hitting 60mph in under eight second, with delivering good economy of shade under 50mpg. The ride is comfortable and the handling what you would expect from this type of vehicle. Competent.

Safety is paramount: It has five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and a comprehensive suite of driver assist technologies like lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and as we ever closer to autonomous driving, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Junction Turning which uses camera and radar data to analyse information about other cars, pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road.

The way forward: Offering a range of powertrains, including a clean internal combustion petrol engine, is a smart strategy. It ensures that the Sportage can cater to a wide spectrum of customer preferences, whether they are looking for traditional fuel options or more environmentally friendly choices.

Kia Sportage HEV GT-Line

Price: £35,240

Mechanical: 226bhp, 1,598cc, four-cylinder petrol-electric engine driving and electric motor driving front wheels, via a six-speed automatic transmission

Max Speed: 12 mph

0-62mph: 7.7 seconds

Combined MPG: 49.6

Insurance Group: 24

C02 emissions: 129g/km

BIK rating: 30 per cent

Warranty: Seven year/unlimited miles

Welcome to this site