THE SAVVY TRAVELLER

…for art in the sun

The idyllic island of Porquerolles, just off the Provençal coast, is an unlikely setting for a museum of contemporary art. Nevertheless, it is the new home of the Carmignac Collection of modern and contemporary art – Warhol, Lichtenstein, Basquiat and more. The Fondation Carmignac, which is based in a converted farmhouse, includes a sculpture garden and will run a programme of cultural events. It opens on June 3 (fondation carmignac.com; hyeres-tourisme.com).

…to see England’s roses

Most rose gardens are at their best in June, and some have special events and weekends to celebrate. Among the National Trust examples is Mottisfont Abbey Garden, Hampshire (nationaltrust. org.uk) where the gardens stay open late (until 8pm) on Thursdays through to Saturdays from June 7-23. Try the various RHS gardens too (rhs.org.uk).

…to celebrate Chicago Blues

The home of the Blues has held an annual outdoor festival to celebrate and underline its musical status since 1984. It’s free and attracts the world’s best acts to the Millennium Park in the heart of downtown. June 8-10, 11am-9.30pm (cityofchicago.org).

…to be dawn free

The Northern Lights steal the show in the winter, but summer above the Arctic Circle is special, too. As the picture below shows, there is something other-worldly about the midnight sun, about days without dawn or sunset. One of the most accessible places to see it is Tromso in northern Norway, which is enjoying 24-hour daylight for the next couple of months (visitnorway.com).