Mediterranean ESCAPES

Hearty food, beautiful beaches and plenty of culture await…

Dubrovnik, Croatia

It’s famous for its medieval Old Town, stunning landscapes and for being one of the filming locations of Game Of Thrones.

As you stroll through narrow passageways admiring stone buildings, it’s hard to believe that during the 1990s

Balkans War, bombing caused significant damage to the city. Now it’s been restored to its former glory, and there’s never been a better time to visit. The main attractions are found in and around the Old Town, encircled by over a mile of preserved medieval ramparts. But don’t forget to catch the cable car to the top of Mount Srd to enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the Dalmatian coast.

Paxos, Greece

There are plenty of islands with sandy beaches in the Med, but the best swimming is in the clear waters found off pebble beaches. Just a dozen square miles of mostly olive groves, Paxos, a few miles off the south coast of Corfu, has lots of pretty coves. Rent a motorboat and find your own favourite, ideally with a waterside taverna for a lazy lunch. Paxos is Greece as it used to be – no airport, no noisy bars, no louts, no jet skis and few hotels, but many interesting places to visit.

Sicily, Italy

Glorious weather and food aside, Sicily’s rich history and cultural heritage set this picture-postcard island apart

– and there’s so much to see. Plus, it’s only a three-hour flight from the UK. Skip the capital, Palermo, in favour of a beachside location on the south coast. Marina di Ragusa is a quaint village that, while quiet in the off-season, is a hotspot for Sicilians in summer. The Blue Flag beach has soft, vanilla-coloured sand, while the centre has enough bars and restaurants to keep you entertained for a week.

Barcelona, Spain

Satisfy your creative side with out-there architecture, stylish hotels and all-round good times in Barcelona. Thanks to Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s party-city reputation precedes it, but once you get into the quieter areas, it’s hard not to fall head over heels in love with the place, just like Miró, Gaudí and Picasso did in years gone by. Barcelona really does have it all: myriad well-designed places to sleep, cuisine from all over the globe (plus reasonably priced, authentic tapas), and some of the world’s most celebrated architectural gems, from Parque Güell to Casa Vicens and more.

Malta

Malta and its neighbouring islands, Gozo and Comino, are blessed with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Frequently described as an open-air museum, the island has 7,000 years of history to explore. It’s been popular with Brits for decades, and many return to admire the stunning scenery and architecture. So whether you love to snorkel, sunbathe or soak up history, Malta has something for everyone.

Discover secret beaches in Paxos Despite the fact that Paxos is the smallest island in the Ionian sea (just eight miles long and two miles wide), it has about 30 beaches.

Stroll around the pretty Old Town The city gets approximately 7.2 hours of sun per day. This is about 2,630 hours of sun annually. Pack your bags!

The island is surrounded by three different seas: the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Ionian Sea.

Explore Malta’s capital, Valletta Malta has 359 churches, almost one for every day.

Visit Barcelona’s majestic cathedral The city has nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, seven of which are the work of Gaudí, including Parque Güell and Casa Milà.