If you find yourself in the middle of September with autumn just round the corner and you have not taken your summer holidays yet, you don’t have to put it off until next year. We have found five places in Europe where you can go to get the last of the summer warmth.
PUGLIA, ITALY
Often over looked for its more manicured neighbour of Tuscany, but Puglia, the eastern region that stretches down to the heel of Italy’s boot, is the country’s most underplayed gem, with temperature up the 27c its not bad. Dotted with olive groves and ancient fortified towns, you can find many gems – such as the turquoise waters and quiet beach at Casalabate, the baroque beauty of the Chiesa di Santa Croce in Lecce and the enchanting seaside town of Polignano a Mare, which inspired everybody’s favourite singalong tune Volare.
Unlike Tuscany, this sunny corner is not an international destination. Rather, this is where the Italians themselves come to holiday, attracted by the temperature climate, fantastic seafood and an untouched landscape. Whitewashed villages such as Ostuni and weird dome-roofed trulli houses are a must-see, as are the Castellana Grotte, a series of spectacular caves with vast stretches of stalactites.
While here why not hangout at Borgo Egnacia, a village style resort carved out of cream tufa stone family run business sits on a 40 acres sight with its own spa. You can choose to stay in quaint townhouse, slick villas or the lantern-lit hotel.
MYKONOS, GREEK ISLANDS
September is a great time to visit the Greek islands. The searing heat of high summer is on the wane, the sea is warm and inviting, and the tourists have thinned out. Mykonos is one of the Cyclades’s most glamorous isles but it’s also one of the most laid-back places in which to zone out for a while.
Sun-drenched beaches, such as the notorious Paradise Beach with its resident DJs, boutique hotels and charming old town, pull in a jet-set crowd. The white-on-white town centre has famously warren-like maze of streets. Deceptive at first, many of these narrow lanes have hidden gems, such as the dazzling cool Interni Restaurant, tucked away in a hidden courtyard, which blends a Hoxton vibe with a laid-back Aegean attitude.
A must is a cocktail or two at the waterfront lounge, in Mykonos’s Little Venice area – it’s worth it simply to have a drink in view of the town’s old windmills with the ocean at your feet.
For something a little more authentic, check out the Grape Harvest Festival, which is held at the Agricultural Museum in Mykonos Town. Traditional folk music and dancing is the backdrop to a communal wine treading in celebration of the harvest.
AKAMAS PENINSULA, CYPRUS
Cyprus’s southern coast near Paphos is a good base for sun-worshippers with secluded beaches, quiet bays and luxury hotels. But for those who get itchy feet, there’s more to Cyprus than margaritas in the sun. Rent a car and head north-west to the Akamas Peninsula – here, the landscape changes to an untamed, almost Middle Eastern panorama and offers a quiet respite from the hectic south coast.
Perfect for wildlife lovers, mountain bikers and walkers, the area is renowned for its dense flora, huge variety of birdlife and wild terrain. A must is a trip to Lara Bay, a beautiful beach off the beaten track and the nesting site of loggerhead turtles. Stop off for lunch at Viklari The Last Castle Taverna, near the village of Agios Georgios. Dispite its fancy name, this remote open-air restaurant has some of the best views on the island.
Stay at the rustic Paradisos Hills Hotel in the traditional mountain village of Lysos is on the edge of Akamas forest, the ideal gateway for exploring Cyprus’s untapped northern region.
KOTOR BAY, MONTENEGRO
Forget Porotofino, Cannes and Capri, when it comes to chic European resorts, Montenegro’s Kotor Bay is where to head to. While there’s a hip scene shaping up around the megawatt Porto Montenegro development – a swanky marina attracting super-yachts with its designer shops, glitzy restaurants and luxury residences – there is more to the bay than suntans and sequins.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kotor Bay is unfeasibly pretty, with a striking fjord of clear water surrounded by lush, forested mountains. Its old town is also a delight with its 12-century city walls, medieval piazzas and palazzos. If budget allows, stay at one of the starry boutique hotels at Porto Montenegro.
Make sure to wander around the ancient city of Kotor, with its 4km of city walls – particularly stunning when lit up at night. From the bay, take a sailing boat to the iconic Our Lady of the Rocks, a small man-made islet with a preserved 17th-century church and charming museum.
Stay at the exquisite Aman Sveti Stefan, which looks across the Adriatic to the magical Sveti Stefan island and it host its own super-size spa, if you are interested.
ALACATI, TURKEY
Located on Turkey’s Cesme peninsula, Alacati takes the crown from Turkey's Bodrum as the most chic resort. The area is a combination of old and new with new hotels, art galleries and boutiques gives the coastal town a hip flavour mix with a quaint village-like feel.
Whitewashed houses with blue shutters give a glimpse into the town’s Greek heritage, while the powder-white beaches and year-round breezes have long made this particular spot for windsurfers. The food scene is especially vibrant and creative, meaning there are lots of great restaurants to choose from, such as Asma yapragi, which serves local dishes in an authentic traditional dining room.
For something truly memorable, visit Noni’s House, a hands-on home-style experience where you can wander in the vineyards, collect organic produce such as artichokes from the fields, and enjoy wine tasting and cooking.
Stay at the converted historic house – Tashan Hotel, a wonderfully atmospheric boutique bolthole with bare-brick walls, quirky original features and a gorgeous courtyard. If you are there till October why not hang around for the Vanishing Tastes, food festival.