Late escapes

Whatever you are after, there’s still time to enjoy the sun and get away for a last-minute break

Explore a Thai island

Phuket, the biggest and busiest island in Thailand, offers year-round sunshine with a rich variety of experiences, from hanging out on the beach, diving, exploring temples and fabulous food. You’ll find some of the most glorious beaches, like Phang Nga Bay, often referred to as James Bond Island because it featured in the film The Man With The Golden Gun. We also love the beautiful little bay of Kata Noi on the west coast of the island. The soft white sand, crystal clear waters and jungle backdrop are amazing while the high waves between May and October make it popular with surfers.

Away from the beaches, head to the waterfalls of Ton Sai and Bang Pae for a picnic and swim, or explore one of the 29 Buddhist temples – with Wat Chalong being one of the most popular. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is not to be missed, while a night-time shopping trip at Phuket Town Weekend Night Market is a whole new experience.

Let loose in Miami

For guaranteed sun, a trip to the sunshine state of Florida is a must – and top of the list for cool and glam is Miami. The art deco-inspired South Beach is a great base for a week or weekend of fun, and is surrounded by candy-coloured buildings, shopping, glamorous night spots and lots of celebrity-chef restaurants. Ocean Drive is the tourist hot spot for action and sidewalk cafés, serving funky cocktails, or head to the famous Nikki Beach and hire a cabana to party the night (and day) away.

For a little less action, Lincoln Road Mall has a number of big brand stores, while on Sundays there’s a farmer’s market packed with fresh produce and vintage furnishings. But the best Miami has to offer are the beaches – white sands, beautiful views, and lots of sun to get the perfect tan!

Cruise around the Med

Soak up the Mediterranean sun on a cruise, exploring Spain, France and Italy onboard a luxury liner. Leaving from Barcelona, you’ll spend seven nights sailing around and stopping in some of these fabulous destinations: Palma de Mallorca, Pisa, Rome, and Naples before heading back to Barcelona. Enjoy classic European sights, from the Vatican City and 
Colosseum in Rome to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the beautiful scenery in Capri. On board, dine in style in dedicated restaurants and bars – there’s even a Bionic Bar, with two robotic bartenders – or try out some of the water flumes, parks, slides and even a zip wire. Best of all, you’ll be catching a tan while you enjoy it all.

Relax and unwind in Bodrum

Once known as small cosy fishing village, Bodrum has since grown 
in popularity as a holiday destination despite its small population, and has become one of Turkey’s most popular spots. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday by the turquoise Aegean Sea, visiting the Halicarnassus ruins, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, enjoying the array of water sports or exploring towns with pretty whitewashed houses, this sunshine location has it all. Its perfect position ensures sailing and watersports are hugely popular. Explore the coastline on a guided tour or simply head out and hire your own boat for snorkelling and diving, before heading back to shore and tucking into some of the local delights. Seaside village Gümüşlük has a reputation for fish restaurants, while delicious Turkish mezes are widely available in the lively and modern resort of Gümbet.

Words: Zoe Bishop