Although there’s still a chill in the air and snow in some parts of the UK, summer is only two and a half months away, which means you should have booked your summer holiday by now. If not, there’s still time to get organised and if you’re strapped for ideas, we may have just the destination for you.
From sun-drenched beaches to miles of reef and coral, your summer happy place beckons…
Island Retreats
There’s nothing more quintessential about vacating for summer than retreating to an island. Beaches, lush rainforest surrounds and long, sunny days provide the perfect combination for rest and relaxation. Can you think of a better way to spend the holidays?
With more than 300 sunny days per year and surrounded by clear, blue waters, Malta has perfected the idyllic island getaway. But it’s far more than just sun and sand. With its 7,000-year history, small as this island is, it’s big on historic sites. You’ll find many prehistoric temples and some of the oldest buildings in the world.
From ancient times to the land of smiles, Thailand has long been a popular holiday destination with its islands attracting the most attention. Phuket is a favourite with families, and brings in the most visitors with its many world class hotels. Meanwhile the picturesque island of Koh Samui has charming boutique hotels perfect for couples. Visit temples, enjoy water sports and delight in the abundance of fresh Thai food. Why not try a Thai cooking class? Then you’ll have a part of the culture with you forever.
South American Surrender
Be seduced by South-American salsa (both the dance and the sauce) and wonder at the diverse cultures found on one continent.
Being in Cuba for example, is like time-warping back to the ‘50s. With thawing political relations between this South American island and the US, now is the perfect time to visit Cuba before it succumbs to a complete makeover. Delight in the fading colon
ial beauty of its architecture and enjoy a sizzling beach break on the Caribbean side of the island. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of old Havana or head over to Ernest Hemingway’s home and cigar factory. Cuba will certainly tick off an item on your bucket list as an unforgettable South American surrender.
From one UNESCO site to another, Cartagena in Colombia is a top South American pick for many. Its pristine stretches of beach found in places like La Cuidad Perdida and Santa Marta will have you whiling your days away in a summer haze. Romance, food and dancing are probably the city’s top three attractions (though not necessarily in that order). This colourful and energetic city often plays host to famous chefs, like Anthony Bourdain, who flock here for its thriving tourism and sea air, so you can enjoy exquisite food that Cartagena is also renowned for.
Downunder Dreaming
If you’ve accumulated more holiday leave than expected, then we highly recommend braving the long flight to Australia (flying in business class will make this a breeze). In particular, fly straight to the charming little coastal town of Cairns – gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is made up of 1,400 miles of islands, coral reefs and sand cays. Get up close and personal with giant manta rays on Lady Elliot Island or sit peacefully and wait while a beautiful Ulysses butterfly lands on you unperturbed on Dunk Island.
Cairns has it all. Beaches, rainforests, rivers and gorges. Travel up by Skyrail (cableway) to Kuranda Rainforest and learn about Aboriginal arts and crafts, or just relax on one of the many Northern Beaches. For the adventurous, take a jungle tour to Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest (north of Cairns). You won’t run out of things to see and do and in fact, you may even want to extend your stay as Australia is a very big country!
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