TOP 10 Island escapes for couples
Now that the kids are almost back at school, it’s time for the adults to come out to play and grab a little late summer sun...
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MALTA Seven nights from
€551pp With around 300 days of sunshine a year, this island in the centre of the Mediterranean has long been a favourite holiday hotspot. And this year Malta has been welcoming even more visitors as the historic city of Valletta celebrates its status as European Capital of Culture 2018. But with the end of the summer school holidays, the hordes of tourists subsides in September, making sightseeing more enjoyable. THE DEAL Make Bugibba in a peaceful part of St Paul’s Bay your base where seven nights at the three-star Topaz Hotel, just 800m from Bugibba beach and promenade, starts at €551pp including Euro Traveller flights with British Airways from Gatwick in September. Book by August 29. ba.com/ malta, 0044 0344 493 0125 2 SARDINIA Seven nights’ all-inclusive from €1,000pp The Med’s second-largest island has been playing host to more than its fair share of Hollywood celebrities this summer with the likes of George Clooney, Elton John, Heidi Klum, Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk dropping by, drawn by Sardinia’s stunning sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Glitzy Porto Cervo in the famous Costa Smeralda is their favourite haunt, but head down the east coast to the enchanting old town of Orosei and you’ll discover an oasis of peace, a perfect place for a September escape. THE DEAL Save a total of €110 on seven-nights’ all-inclusive at the four-star SENTIDO Orosei Beach resort now starting at €1,000pp including flights from Manchester on September 23 by booking online using code 3 ONLINE100. thomascook.com MENORCA Seven nights’ B&B from €672pp Majorca has been hogging the limelight after featuring as the location for reality TV’S Love Island. But for a quieter, low-key Balearic break, little sister Menorca has stunning white beaches and beautiful bays aplenty. Stroll round
Mahon, the elegant capital, and take in the 18th century mansions, Gothic cathedral, boutiques, bars and restaurants. Head to the harbour and sample Mahon gin at Xoriguer distillery. THE DEAL Seven nights’ B&B at the Barcelo Hamilton Menorca in the village of Es Castell near Mahon starts at €672pp including flights from Gatwick on September 28. 4 loveholidays.com JERSEY Three nights’ B&B from €369pp The largest of the Channel Islands between Britain and France has Mediterranean weather. There are miles of beaches and bays, and excellent seafood such as oysters, crabs and scallops. And a visit to the Jersey War Tunnels is a reminder that the Channel Islands lived under German occupation during WWII (jerseywartunnels. com). THE DEAL A three-night B&B break in September at the three-star Mayfair Hotel in St Helier starts at €369pp including flights from Gatwick or Liverpool (other airports at a supplement) and transfers. 5 themayfairjersey.com CYPRUS Seven nights’ B&B from €469pp As Aphrodite’s birthplace, Cyprus could claim to be the original Love Island. And, according to the myth, the goddess of love rose from the sea and landed on Paphos. The town is steeped in history with its temples, churches and forts. Paphos Archaeological Park is worth visiting for the exquisite mosaics depicting ancient Greek myths. THE DEAL Perched on a hill just outside Paphos, the Royal Blue Hotel and Spa has panoramic views of the coastline and town. The four-star hotel has stunning gardens, two pools and a restaurant. Seven nights’ B&B from €469pp with flights from Stansted on September 24. onthebeach.co.uk, 0044 0871 6 474 3000
ISLES OF SCILLY
Five nights’ B&B from €1,236pp Lying just 28 miles off the western tip of Cornwall, spectacular beaches that could rival the Caribbean await on the UK’S only archipelago. In the subtropical climate the Tresco Abbey Garden is blooming with a some 20,000 plants. In September the Isles will play host
to a month-long celebration of food and drink with the Taste of Scilly Festival (visitislesofscilly.com).
THE DEAL Prestige Holidays has a fivenight B&B stay at the Star Castle on St Mary’s including return ferry from Penzance, starting at €1,236pp in September. toursprestigeholidays.co. uk, 0044 01425 480600
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TENERIFE Seven nights’
B&B from €573pp Tenerife is still hot to trot in September with long sun-filled days hitting the high 20s. The largest of the Canary Islands is known for its swathes of white sandy beaches in the south and it’s worth exploring the charming capital Santa Cruz. Go on the cable ride to the summit of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, for
spectacular views of the volcanic landscape. THE DEAL A week-long B&B stay at four-star Coral Ocean View in Playa De Las Americas starts at €573pp including flights from Birmingham on September 19. 8 jet2holidays.com MADEIRA Seven nights
from €489pp This Portuguese subtropical island is also known as the floating garden in the Atlantic. Thanks to its year-round mild climate and rich fertile volcanic soil, botanic gardens flourish all over Madeira. Take in Madeira’s lush scenery on walks along trails running beside the levadas – irrigation channels dating back to the 15th century. And you can catch the end of the whale season if you go in September. THE DEAL Seven