Gambia is just a six-hour flight away; more mid-haul than long or short and offers an idyllic holiday on what is known as the “smiling coast”.

And the soubriquet is apt, without ever being patronising. Everyone smiles and genuinely wants you to enjoy yourself and love their country.

Although traditionally seen as a winter sun location The Gambia offers a yeararound programme.

The Gambia Experience is an operator with a great reputation of delivering quality holidays in this stunning corner of Africa.

And it has teamed up with new charter partner, Titan Airways which offers the excellent upgraded Star and Star Plus service.

Having spent many uncomfortable hours on cramped long and mediumhaul flights this was one of the best flight experiences I have had.

There are options visiting Gambia, as with any other county. You can go down the budget route or you can opt for five-star luxury and an assortment of accommodation in-between.

And choosing the right hotel will make or break your holiday.

Having visited the country several times it pays, literally and metaphorically, to go towards the upper end of the market. And you can easily find affordable luxury in this corner of Africa.

The Kairaba is a short journey from the airport and is one of the most luxurious hotels in The Gambia.

Like most of the hotels offered by the Gambia Experience the hotel sits on the beach.

It offers elegance in stunning surroundings at more affordable prices than similar hotels internationally.

You could spend the holiday idling on the sun loungers whiling away the hours, if so inclined, or indulge in one of the many treatments available in the fantastic spa.

The service is exemplary and the cuisine wide-ranging and never less than perfect.

There are no pool games or loud music during the day to disturb guests, croquet is more in keeping with the tranquil tone of the hotel, although there is the occasional local band or entertainment in the evening.

But as much as it is tempting to sit by the pool being waited on hand and foot visitors must get out and see the real Gambia.

It is a colourful, vibrant country with lots to offer.

Just along the unspoiled beach from the hotel is the Bijilo Forest Park Nature Reserve, home to green vervet and red colobus monkeys.

The hotel itself is an oasis of tranquillity but just outside the gates is the renowned Senegambia Strip with its wide selection of bars and restaurants.

For trips farther afield try Makasutu Forest, where you can take a river trip in a dugout canoe and get up close to the forest’s baboon population.

Through The Gambia Experience, you can stay in the forest at the water’s edge in one of its unique Mandina Lodges, which offer you the chance to really get away from it all beside the river for a few days.

The Four Wheel Drive experience is also giving you a real insight into the lives and villages of The Gambia.

A Lazy Day Cruise excursion is also popular where you can end a day of sightseeing aboard a traditional pirogue along the mighty River Gambia.

The Gambia Experience is the must go to operator for the Gambia.

Its wealth of experience means that it knows what its customers want and can organise a holiday that will allow you to do as much or as as you want.

Sun apart, this is a country that will warm the coldest of hearts.

Factfile

I travelled with the UK’s leading tour operator and specialist to The Gambia, The Gambia Experience and a week’s holiday staying at The Kairaba, a 5 grade hotel, costs from £799 pp, a saving of up to £86pp based on travel 12th & 19th April.

This price is based on two sharing a deluxe room with air conditioning on a bed & breakfast basis and also include includes return flights and inflight meals, hotel transfers and airport taxes.

• To book call The Gambia Experience reservations team on 01489 866 939 or visit gambia.co.uk

For information on the latest offers go to gambia.co.uk/offers/