Virgin’s dream
VIRGIN Atlantic will be flying to 17 destinations, including Miami, San Francisco and Barbados, from August.
The announcement follows plans for the airline to restart flights from Heathrow on July 20.
Other new destinations include Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Johannesburg and Antigua. A proposed Heathrow to Orlando flight has been pushed back to August 24.
IF you’re unsure about travelling over the summer, why not consider some late-season sun? As long as you are prepared to do the airport fandango, head for the Med. Here’s our pick of the best places to go…
Rave haven Ibiza, Spain
THE DESTINATION: There is a reason why James Blunt and Kate Moss have houses on this Balearic island, and it is not all about partying.
Outside the main season and away from the clubs around Ibiza Town, the real island character shines through. It is a land of secret coves, tricky roads, vineyards and red-soiled olive groves.
THE DEAL: Es Canar, up on the east coast, is next to the famous hippy market at Punta Arabi. Its tiny working harbour is overlooked by whitewashed houses and waterfront restaurants. A seven-night all-inclusive stay at the Tui Suneo Caribe in early October starts from £455pp, with flights. See tui.co.uk.
Europe’s edge Algarve, Portugal
THE DESTINATION: Sleepy towns, great seafood, coastal walks, immaculate golf courses… the Algarve really does tourism well.
In capital Faro, October temperatures are in the mid-20s, and the sea temperature is at its highest. Perfect.
THE DEAL: The Pine Cliffs resort is an extensive luxury property next to the popular town of Albufeira. There are 12 restaurants on site and in the unlikely event that the weather takes a turn for the worse, there are all sorts of sporting and family activities such as golf and tennis academies.
A week in October costs from £629pp, B&B, including flights. See destinology.co.uk.
Turkish delight Oludeniz, Turkey
THE DESTINATION: The calm Bay of Fethiye, on Turkey’s Aegean shore, is like a giant sun trap, which is why its big resorts like Marmaris and Dalyan have prospered over the years.
Its smaller destinations, such as Oludeniz, have managed to stay pleasingly picturesque, and with clear waters and ten hours of sunshine a day in September, you can’t go wrong.
Oludeniz is also recognised as one of the world’s best spots for paragliding, with descents from nearby Mount Babadag.
THE DEAL: The four-star Pinehill Hotel &
Suites is in downtown, a short drive from the gravel and sand beach, and has a lagoonstyle outdoor pool. A seven-night stay in September costs from £297pp on a B&B basis, with flights. See loveholidays.com.
Book star Kefalonia, Greece
THE DESTINATION: This beautiful island was made famous by a book and a movie – Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – but is never overrun with tourists.
This is a place of villas and apartments rather than large hotels, of reading books in the sun and of finding neighbourhood tavernas for your evening meal.
Harbours such as Fiskardo up in the north are lined with fishing boats, which keep the restaurants well provided.
THE DEAL: Seven nights’ self-catering at the Waterfront Apartments in the heart of
Fiskardo, in early October, costs from £479pp, with flights and transfers. There is no pool, but Foki beach is an easy and pleasant walk from town. See ionianislandholidays.com.
Solo sol Torremolinos, Spain
THE DESTINATION: With temperatures touching 20C in November, this Spanish resort will be keen to get every last gasp out of its season this year.
Torremolinos has a terrific beach, which is why it is so popular with tourists – and it is only 20 minutes from Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso, which has enjoyed a cultural revival in recent years.
THE DEAL: Friendship Travel is organising one of its solos weeks in Torremolinos’ Gran Hotel Cervantes, which has an indoor pool and sauna. It is also just one road back from the beach. Its November departure costs