Inspiration • March 2017
Shhh… six secret summer escapes
Europe is everyone’s favourite continent in summer, which means one thing: crowds. Try these off-the-beaten-track hideaways instead, says Amanda Statham, travel editor of Cosmopolitan. Just keep them to yourself…
Spanish living in Murcia
With its impressive basilica, lively plazas and excellent galleries, this southern Spanish city on the Costa Blanca is more than a match for Seville or Barcelona. Check out the impressive bullfighting museum; go game spotting at Terra Natura, an enormous reserve home to more than 300 exotic animals; and enjoy drinks by the pool on the rooftop terrace of Hotel Murcia Nelva before heading out for tapas at local favourite La Parranda.
Estonian culture in Tallinn
Much like Dubrovnik, the Estonian capital is a walled city and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. It’s also alive with culture, from its lively town hall square to Kadriorg Art Museum’s impressive exhibitions, including 16th to 18th-century paintings by Dutch, Italian, German and Russian masters. When it comes to bedding down, Three Sisters – a 23-room boutique bolthole with antiques, parquet floors and library – is the best in town.
Italian beauty in Brindisi
Tucked away in a remote pocket of southern Italy, the port town of Brindisi is a gateway to the Puglia region and a great destination in its own right. With a beautiful cathedral, palazzo and lively promenade lining the seafront, there’s plenty on offer, including fine beaches right on your doorstep. Go for supper at the exquisite Borgo Egnazia, a stunning all-cream resort with an excellent spa and A-list clientele – it’s where Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel tied the knot.
Croatian charm in Pula
Istria’s seafront city may not draw the crowds of Hvar or Zagreb, but it’s bursting with just as much charm, from ancient churches to sun-drenched, café-lined squares. Sunset drinks on the waterfront terrace at Park Plaza Histria Pula are a must, and the hotel makes an ideal base from which to explore the area’s untouched beaches, hillside vineyards, Roman ruins and pretty harbour. Open-air music concerts take place throughout the summer at Fort Punta Christo, just outside the city.
Portuguese cool in Sagres
Whether you want to learn to surf or lie on a sun-lounger, this laid-back beach village, 90 minutes from Faro on Portugal’s western tip, is a choice location to escape the Algarve crowds. Its dramatic scenery of soaring cliffs, windswept fortress and sweeping stretches of deserted sand give it an edge-of-the-world-vibe – in fact, the next piece of land across the Atlantic is the USA. Colourful cafés and bars have popped up recently to cater to Sagres’ cool surf scene and Martinhal Sagres, a dazzling family-friendly beach resort with a superb spa, is close by.
Swiss sanctuary in Vevey
Overlooking Lake Geneva, this peaceful Swiss town makes a fabulous summer escape far from the madding crowds. Take a dip in the lake, Instagram Jean-Pierre Zaugg’s surreal giant fork sculpture, enjoy a perfect salad caprese on the terrace of Hotel Du Lac and take a trip across the lake to the bright lights of Montreux, home of the world-famous jazz festival, on restored paddle-steamer MPV Vevey.
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This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips