Not many of us are able to take our holidays during the summer months for whatever reason. Taking a short break in autumn to get some of the summer sun is another option. We have found five places in Europe and elsewhere that offers excellent autumn sunshine at some of the hotest hotels and resorts. Whether its luxury, relaxation, party or sports these locations offers it.
ST TROPEZ, FRANCE
St Tropez, with its blingy millionaires and nautical larks, is one of the most famous resorts in Europe. So it pays to head to this ritzy legend in September when it’s quieter and coincide your visit with the annual regatta, Les Voiles de St Tropez. The event showcase some of the most beautiful yachts in the world. During this week-long rendezvous, landlubbers can follow the course either by boat or helicopter. Alternatively, the seven-mile half-day Sentier du Littoral walk will take in beaches including Pampelonne, Granniers and Canebiers. A good place to stay is at the Hotel de Paris, which has a glass-bottom pool suspended above the atrium and has been an A-list hotel since 1930.
TAGHAZOUT, MOROCCO
The surf haven of Taghazout in southern Morocco is hanging on to its hippie vibes for now, but it’s likely to soon become a big resort complete with sun loungers and jet-skis, so you before it changes forever. September is the perfect month to visit, with cool mornings, sultry afternoons and warm evenings.
This is a laid-back place, where surfers head out to chase the breakers at Hash point and other visitors just soak up the atmosphere. If you find yourself in need of more action, Agadir, a busy port and beach resort, is just a 20-minute drive away.
The Hyatt Place, Taghazout, which sits in the shadows of the Atlas Mountains and overlooks the Atlantic coast, is a great place to stay. You can sign up for surf camp or go mountain biking from here.
FORMENTOR, MALLORCA
Mallorca is a favourite of British tourist, they come to the mega resorts of Magaluf and Palma each summer for a bit of rest and relaxation or just a boozy fortnight. However, if you fancy a slice of island life with a difference, there’s a quieter side too. Formentor, at the far end of the Unesco-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountain range in north-west Mallorca, is ideal. The beach here is beautifully tree-shaded and come September, the white sands are blessfully peaceful.
Formentor is about as far away from big and brash as you can get in Mallarca, with just a coffee bar by the lighthouse serving the deckhands who sail between the surrounding ports. You can go classic and stay at the classy Barcelo Formentor, which as played host to everyone from Agatha Christie to Audrey Hepburn and today remains a favourite of the Spanish royal family.
HVAR, CROATIA
The Dalmatian coast hotspot of Hvar is jam-packed in the summer, with inflated prices to match but as the crowds thin out in September you are left with a more relaxed and affordable scene. The city is a fairytale sort of a place with gothic palaces, pretty squares and traffic-free streets, while at hight Hvar hums to its own rhythm.
The sunset scene is a highlight – Hula Hula bar has Ibiza-esque feel, while dive bar Kiva has been open since the 1950s and the world-famous nightclub Carpe Diem is where the young and beautiful rub shoulders with the likes of Prince Harry and Beyonce. Hangout at the Hotel Podstine, which is reasonable priced and offer waterside dining.
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
By September, the fierce summer heat has abated and yet Tel Aviv’s coastline is still buzzing, with beach lovers sun bathing, playing matkot (beach tennis) and banging bongos – making it easy to see why it been dubbed ‘Miami Beach on the Med’ Another reason to visit is Sarona Market, home to 100 gourmet food shops. This is the place to try out Middle Eastern specialities such as hummus, shakshuka and halva. Stay at the Brown Beach House, which offers sea view dinning and a spa. Plus, you can roll straight from bed to sand within minutes