The top beaches for chilling
STOUPA, GREECE
The middle of the three fingers that protrude from the Greek mainland is the Mani peninsula, whose rugged heart is rimmed with long sandy beaches.
Like a tourism poster come to life, it has shimmering blue water, tall cypress and wild olive trees.
Home to artistic types, Stoupa is not the secret it once was but it scores high for being child-friendly and affordable.
Try the Liastres taverna for traditional dishes, a shaded terrace offering fantastic views of the town beach.
But if that gets too busy for you there’s a quieter spot only five minutes away: pebbly Delfinia (dolphins) beach.
Swim and snorkel in the clear water, with fish and sculpted rocks and lunch at the little beach bar.
Olympic Holidays (020 8492 6868/ olympicholidays.com) offers seven nights in an apartment in Stoupa from £1,026 (two adults and two children), self-catering. Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Kalamata and transfers.
PAESTUM, ITALY
South of Naples and the Amalfi Coast, the Cilento region is known for its clean beaches. Awarded a Blue Flag in 2016, Paestum’s straight mile of sand is absolutely perfect for swimming and sunbathing. At high noon, lunch on ham and grilled vegetables with fabulous local wines at a laid-back beach shack or pizzeria. Or stroll five minutes to the trattoria at Azienda Barlotti, where they make mozzarella cheese, ice-cream and desserts with milk from their own buffalo.
And only a five-minute drive away is Paestum’s extraordinary archaeological site, which is home to not one but three of the world’s best preserved, 2,500-year-old Greek temples. When lit up at night, they are decidedly romantic.
Citalia (01293 762410/citalia.com) offers seven nights at Hotel Hermitage near the also charming seaside resort of San Marco di Castellabate, 10 miles south, from £639pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from London Heathrow to Naples and seven nights car hire.
SUNJ BEACH, CROATIA
An hour from Dubrovnik by boat, Lopud Island is a real getaway, just one of many on the Dalmatian coast.
Cars are banned so you get about on foot or even hitch a ride on a golf cart. The secret destination is Sunj Beach, a half-mile curve of white sand that is delightful, particularly in September when the shallow water is really warm.
Rent a sunshade, deckchair and kayak and eat and drink at the informal thatched beach bar.
In the evening, head up to Peggy’s, a welcoming restaurant with terrace views over pretty rooftops, a church and harbour.
Balkan Holidays (020 7543 5555/ balkanholidays.co.uk) offers seven nights at Lopud’s Hotel Lafodia Sea Resort from £571pp (two sharing), half-board. Price includes return flights from Manchester to Dubrovnik and transfers.
PLAGE DES DAMES, FRANCE
Close to the mouth of the River Loire, Noirmoutier is off the radar for most British holidaymakers. Yet across the