BETTER LATE THAN NEVER LAST- MINUTE BOOKING GUIDE
CYPRUS
Cyprus seems a safe bet for avoiding quarantine complications, as case numbers have tumbled in the past few weeks. The island stays reliably warm throughout autumn, with temperatures hovering in the mid20s. The catch? To visit, you will have to show evidence of a recent negative PCR test for Covid-19 at the airport. Still, your efforts will be rewarded if you book a week’s stay at the Almyra waterfront hotel. Set in the southern resort of Paphos, the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, ancient attractions close by include Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, with its open-air Roman ruins. The hotel’s eight acres of manicured gardens and five freshwater pools make social distancing a cinch, while the seven restaurants mean culinary boredom is unlikely.
Seven nights departing Oct 10, from €1,652 (£1,505) for two, available through Fish&Pips (fishandpips.co.uk). Flights booked separately through easyJet from £90pp return.
CORFU, GREECE
A smattering of Greek islands may have been knocked off the travel corridor list, but Corfu remains quarantine-free for travellers from England and Wales (Scotland has removed all of Greece from its safe list). The Ionian island has always gone its own way, set apart from the rest and curving around the coast of Albania, and while temperatures don’t hold quite as strongly as the more southerly siblings, you can still expect sunny days. The relaunched, online-only Thomas Cook has a host of Corfu holidays, including a stay at Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa, a fivestar option set on a peninsula and surrounded by olive groves. The large, elevated saltwater infinity pool, which overlooks the bay, sets the tone, while on the essentially private beach, you’ll find plenty of loungers and the hotel’s taverna. Whitewashed rooms are minimalist in style. The best have plunge pools.
Seven nights departing Sept 29, from £614pp, including easyjet flights (thomascook.com)
LAKE COMO, ITALY
Whether it’s due to the calminducing waters, misty mountains or even the Clooney connection, the Italian Lakes will never lose their lustre, and they make a great choice for a last-chance European holiday. Although cases have recently risen in Italy, rates remain lower than the UK and it seems unlikely to be struck off the safe list in the near future. Lying at the foot of the pretty town of Moltrasio on Lake Como’s western shore, the four-star Grand Hotel Imperiale has exactly what you want from a hotel in these parts: an attractive lakefront swimming pool. Add to this a smart restaurant serving fresh fish dishes with views over the water and a wellequipped spa. Public boats dock yards from the hotel, making it convenient to zip off to nearby Como or to explore the rest of the lake.
Seven nights departing on selected October dates from £1,190pp, including private transfers and BA flights. (expressionsholidays.co.uk)
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
It didn’t seem likely a few months ago, but a holiday to Sweden is now back on the cards after the country was added to the travel “green list”. A city break to Stockholm is a good bet for those in need of a little action. British Airways have a long weekend trip to the capital, staying at Miss Clara, a suitably Scandi-chic hotel set in a former girls’ school. Rooms have huge white windows and parquet floors and come stocked with swish Byredo bath products. Head to the bar for a punchy “Penicillin” cocktail and soothe any sore heads the next day with waffles and open club sandwiches at the hotel’s popular brunch. Stockholm Palace and the Nobel Museum are within walking distance, as is Abba: The Museum, which promises visitors the chance to be the band’s fifth member.
Four nights departing Oct 1, from £265.50pp, including flights. (britishairways.com)
Voyage Bodrum offers pool and beach
BODRUM, TURKEY
Turkey is currently one of the safer bets for a holiday in the coming weeks. Those in the know have been taking autumn trips to the Bodrum peninsula for years, when the summer crowds have evaporated but there’s still eight hours of sunshine a day. After this tumultuous year, package holidays are experiencing something of a revival, with travellers seeking comforting and unchallenging breaks. Book a week’s stay at Voyage Bodrum, an airy, adults-only resort set on a Blue Flag beach. EasyJet holidays’ all-inclusive offers mean all you have to think about is whether to lounge by the pool or on the beach, or perhaps a stroll to the Bodrum windmills.
Seven nights departing on Sept 30, from £1,330pp on an allinclusive basis with flights (easyjet.com)