Summer Sun Holidays

One bonus of travelling from the UK for summer holidays is that you don’t have to travel far to crank up the heat. European destinations like Spain and Greece offer golden sand, beautiful towns, and fascinating history just a few hours from home. The food isn’t bad either. Follow the crowds or find something more exclusive; there’s a place among the Spanish Costas and Mediterranean islands for everyone. Stay all-inclusive in Crete, splash with the family in Majorca, or grab the perfect snaps in sophisticated Santorini. In any destination, you’re never far from beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, or a cool drink.

From Canada to the Caribbean, temperatures on the other side of the Atlantic reach their highest in July and August, and the variety of experiences is endless. Road trip along the California Coast from San Diego to San Francisco before wine tasting in the Napa Valley. Witness the geysers and hot springs in Yosemite or stand beneath the giant trees of Sequoia. Florida offers bucket list family breaks to the theme parks of Orlando, crocodile spotting in the Everglades, and upscale retreats on the Keys. For a slower pace, find a Caribbean island with an easy-going vibe and relax in the sun. Avoid the hurricane corridor by staying south around Aruba, Barbados, and Grenada. Alternatively, enjoy Costa Rica in the Green Season. You might get a little rain, but the beaches dry up quickly, and the wildlife spotting is spectacular.

When it comes to great value summer holidays, Southeast Asia is a fantastic place to start. While Northern Thailand and the Andaman Sea resorts can experience high rainfall from June to August, Koh Samui and the Gulf of Thailand stay dry until September. Combine days on the beach with a city break in Bangkok, which is intoxicating whatever the weather, for a Thailand twin-centre with big savings and fewer crowds. Further south, Malaysia enjoys hot and dry summers in both the capital of Kuala Lumpur and the orangutan haven of Borneo. The resort islands of Penang and Langkawi also offer excellent deals at this time of year. You may see some afternoon showers, but these are usually short and clear up quickly so you can enjoy the sun for the rest of the day.

If you’re a real heat worshipper, few places are hotter from June to August than the Middle East. Expect Dubai temperatures to soar over 40°C, but with the extreme sun come the annual offers. So long as you take things easy during daylight, the UAE is a wonderful place for summer holidays with half-board deals for incredible dining and perfect temperatures for sightseeing after sunset.

For milder days than the Middle East, head south into the Indian Ocean, where the Seychelles enjoy their best weather and increased plankton brings manta rays and whale sharks to the Maldives. Also in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is an all-year, all-inclusive paradise with enchanting landscapes and world-class golf to complement its idyllic beaches. If you’re more of an explorer than a sand lover, choose a tailor-made tour of Sri Lanka to see unique temples, drive through the winding hills of the tea country, and enjoy a leopard-spotting safari among the densest elephant population in Asia.