There is a lot to be said for jetting off on a late summer break. To start with you will save a lot of money compared to if you travelled in the peak months. Secondly, the resorts will be quieter so you have a better chance of securing a good spot by the pool and on the beach. You can also get a tan in more comfortable temperatures. With this in mind we decided to take a look at 5 perfect places for a late summer break.
Turkey - Marmaris
This sprawling resort on the Mediterranean coastline has everything you could want from a holiday and the heat is a lot more bearable than in the summer months. Marmaris is a cheap resort throughout the year but prices drop dramatically from September. The resort itself is very attractive and a stroll along the palm fringed seafront in the evening is a delight. There are also many excursions you can take if you want more from your holiday than lying by the pool or sprawling on the beach.
Malta
A tiny gem in the Mediterranean, Malta has a mild winter climate making the end of summer positively ‘hot’ for visitors from countries where the weather has already turned to autumn. With its long and complicated history Malta offers an absolute wealth of things to see and do. You can of course sit around in the sun by a pool, or you may wish to indulge yourself in a trip to Valletta the ancient fortified city, home to a stunning new harbour as well as the NationalWarMuseum, St John's Co-Cathedral, or perhaps the stunning Fort St Elmo and so much more. A quick boat ride takes you to Malta’s sister islands of Comino and Gozo, where the pace of life is noticeably slower than even Malta’s Mediterranean laid back attitude. Here you will find the finest beaches in the archipelago including Comino's stunning Blue Lagoon and the aptly named Paradise Bay. So if you are a history buff or a son worshiper Malta has a lot to offer.
Greece - Afandou
This hidden or invisible village, which is a rough translation of its name, is situated on the sun kissed island of Rhodes. It is small, unsung places like Afandou where you can really experience Greek living and Greek hospitality at its finest. There are no nightclubs in Afandou and the café culture of the continent is everywhere you look. Children are welcome anywhere and until whatever time their parents see fit to take them home. The relaxed ambience coupled with the fantastic cuisine is the stuff that makes for a perfect holiday. Afandou is also the perfect base for exploring the island, and some must sees are the Valley of the Butterflies, The Acropolis at Lindon, the lovingly restored Kalithea Spa and the old town in Rhodes itself.
El Campello
For a break with only a short flight you cannot look past Spain, and in particular the Costa Blanca. Boasting over 300 days of sunshine a year, the pretty town of El Campello offers you the best of both worlds. There is the massive range of family friendly restaurants, with over 40 on the beautiful sea front alone, and if you want a wild night out it’s only a short tram ride into Benidorm, mainland Spain’s party capital. El Campello is where the Spanish come on holiday but practically everyone speaks English. The great tram service allows you the freedom to explore the entire coastline from Alicante up to Denia for very little cost and those who love markets are spoilt for choice as there is one held every day in surrounding towns and villages, including El Campello itself on a Wednesday.
Antibes
The Cote d’Azur in the South of France once had a reputation for being beyond the reach of most people’s budgets and while it is still glitzy and glamorous in such resorts as Nice and Cannes, the picturesque town of Antibes is an absolute gem. An old fishing village with architecture dating back centuries and a myriad of cobbled streets that beg to be explored, there is absolutely nothing not to like about Antibes. The beach is what you would expect from this part of the world and old men playing boules under the shade of the trees by the marina is a common site. Accommodation wise the area is peppered with excellent caravan and camping parks although there are several hotels in Antibes itself and neighbouring Juan-Les-Pins. The coastal railway is great for exploring and you can take a trip over the border to the Italian town of Ventimiglia as well as visiting Monaco and Monte Carlo.
If any of the places mentioned above have you chomping at the bit to jet off for some later summer sun there is still time to do it this year. Temperatures in Turkey, Egypt and Rhodes regularly reach mid 30’s in October so while everyone at home is digging out their winter woolies as the cold bite in the air heralds the imminent arrival of another winter, you can be soaking up the rays by the Med, the Aegean or diving in the Red Sea.
The fact that there are such places as these which are still desirable in September and October also means that those who thought they would have to forego a holiday this year due to lack of funds are able to jet off after all. So leave those jumpers where they are, get your shorts and flip flops and head off for that much needed break.