Published 28th Jun. 2021
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If you've not managed to get away this summer and you're tiring of sun-kissed colleagues and friends, September and October are perfect months to soak up some late summer sun. Whether you want to jet off to somewhere in Europe for a long weekend or fly and flop further afield, we can arrange it all. Maybe you've already had your fix of vitamin D this summer and just fancy topping up your glow? Who knows...what we do know are the destinations that will make perfect SUNNY getaways.
If you are looking for a stylish island get-away and have never been to Mallorca, it's a superb destination for luxury boutique accommodation, delicious Mediterranean food and wonderful scenery. You can go walking in the Tramuntana Mountains, hire a speed boat for the day and, for those that like to party, head into Palma to hang out at the beach club and soak up the atmosphere. One of our favourite hotels is Can Simoneta on the eastern coast; it's adult-only and makes for a great chill out weekend. Otherwise, the fortress hotel that is Cap Rocat oozes romance and style and is only a stone's throw away from lovely beaches and the buzz and nightlife in Palma.
Morocco is an immediate and exciting immersion into another world, where Arab and Berber heritage, history and culture are inextricably bound. Put simply, Morocco is the most exotic destination in easy reach of the UK, and more importantly its warm climate allows it to fall under the 'late summer sun' category. Marrakech is a popular choice for those with the travel bug; enjoy a mini break sampling souqs, Medinas and fabulous food stalls. The choice of Riads is plentiful and we are fans of El Fenn - where you can lounge by the rooftop pool and treat yourself to some Moroccan sunshine. Marrakech can also be combined with a jaunt to the coast, where you can stay in ultimate luxury at La Sultana. La Sultana sits on the banks of the Oualidia lagoon, a place famous for its oyster beds and flamingos, and with views of the Atlantic Ocean lapping on the sandbanks, its setting is quite simply spectacular. What more could you want?
If it's a fly and flop option you are after, but with minimal travelling time, then Portugal is the answer to all your holiday prayers for some late summer sun. Now here's the twist; aside from our regular hot spots down in the Algarve we'd like to introduce the Alentejo and achingly hip Comporta with their fantastic beaches as an idea. The un-spoilt coastline is slightly less explored and therefore beautifully intact and ideal for a summer getaway. September also happens to be harvest time in the Alentejo, and for those who don't know it yet, the Alentejo is home to some fantastic vineyards and boutique hotels. We happen to have a little crush on Malhadinha Nova, which is a quintessentially Portuguese homestead come contemporary luxury hotel, set in acres of beautiful vineyard. The wine, the food and the service here is excellent and isn't too far from either the Algarve or Alentejo coastline.
From the super-swanky resorts in Los Cabos to the laid-back vibe in Todos Santos on the Pacific coast, Baja California is much more than featureless desert. One of Baja's main luxury holiday draws is its beautiful landscapes, where the desert meets the sea and the accompanying climate delivers near-constant sunshine, low humidity and sea breezes that keep the temperature from getting too hot. This provides ideal conditions for all kinds of onshore and aquatic activities.
Sicily is proving an increasingly popular destination for luxury holidays as it combines so much in one location, with some of the finest Greek ruins in Europe, several lovely towns, beaches to rival those anywhere else in the Mediterranean, and looming over it all, the brooding presence of Mount Etna. The Grand Hotel Timeo is the place to stay; it is directly in front of the ancient Greek Theatre, with views looking out over this, and out across the Eastern coast of Sicily and towards Mount Etna and beyond. Rooms here are elegantly decorated with an Italian feel; most have terraces or balconies and the Presidential Suite even has a summerhouse on its expansive terrace, along with a lounge, dining room and small hydro-massage swimming pool.
The World Cup may be over but Brazil is still as alluring as ever with its stunning beaches and incomparable rainforests. North East Brazil is the perfect solution for a long haul 'late summer sun' destination with its beach havens, wonderful wildlife and activities aplenty. At the North Eastern tip of Brazil is Jericoacoara, home to huge sand dunes and a deliciously laid back vibe. Further south, the small fishing village of Pipa perches on cliffs overlooking some of Brazil's finest beaches. Finally, 220 miles from the mainland, east of Pipa, lies the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha - a UNESCO Natural Heritage site - consisting of 21 small volcanic islands, isolated in the equatorial South Atlantic. All different, all wonderful.
OK, so maybe you've been to Bali, but that leaves Indonesia's 16,999 other islands to explore. With so many islands still uninhabited, luxury liveaboards are the answer, and it goes without saying that for divers this is one of the best ways to explore the famously pristine reefs of the so-called Coral Triangle. We have been lucky enough to stay on some of the very best boats operating in Indonesia today (all in the name of research, you understand) and we can advise you on which would best suit your requirements - although it would be pretty hard to beat the experience of diving the waters of Raja Ampat from the luxurious Silolona liveaboard.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
When it comes to your holiday, a little planning goes a long way. Recently, we’ve noticed a pattern of both last-minute and long-term bookings, which we’ve named the Concertina Effect. But why are people booking so far in advance? Our co-founder, Tom Barber, thinks ‘anticication’ has something to do with it: ‘in uncertain times, planning something joyful far ahead becomes an act of hope’. Whether admiring cherry blossoms in Japan, celebrating the Holi festival in India, cruising down the Nile on the Steam Ship Sudan, or spotting gorillas in Uganda, some holidays require extra attention.
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