A final blast of summer time solar: seaside holidays in France, Spain, Italy and Croatia | Journey
Cassis, Provence, France
With its 300 days of sunshine a yr, Good has historically been the go-to vacation spot for northern Europeans seeking to eke out summer time. However on the western finish of the Cote d’Azur, Marseille and its surrounding seashores take pleasure in a equally interesting local weather, minus the sky-high value tags.
You could possibly simply spend a few days wandering round Marseille’s atmospheric outdated city, the Vieux-Port and town’s world-class museums, but when the seaside is looking you gained’t should journey far. Cassis, a beautiful little fishing port with pastel-coloured homes and pebble seashores, is a forty five minute drive or 20 minute prepare experience from town. It’s a perfect base for exploring the Calanques, a collection of slender coastal inlets framed by steep limestone cliffs. Hop on a ship journey from the marina or rent a kayak to discover close by coves, or sort out the Calanques de Cassis hike from the village, which takes within the Calanque de Port-Miou, Calanque de Port Pin and Calanque d’en Vau in at some point.
The place to remain The eco-friendly Hôtel les Volets Rouges affords 20 brilliant, up to date rooms in a peaceable location within the coronary heart of the Calanques nationwide park. It’s a 10-min drive from Cassis city centre however the good spot if you wish to entry strolling trails to the Calanques.
Double rooms in September/October from £113 an evening
Getting there TGV trains join Marseille to Paris in three-and-a-half hours. From Marseille it’s a 20-minute prepare experience to Cassis.
Joanne O’Connor
Šibenik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Summer season lingers longer within the Adriatic, the place the water retains its warmth till nicely into October (and infrequently November). If you wish to mix seaside with tradition – and a few spectacular nature on its doorstep – Šibenik is the place for a closing fling of summer time.
Curiously neglected by many vacationers, this lovely Dalmatian metropolis midway between Zadar and Break up has a lot going for it, and it doesn’t go into full winter hibernation like a lot of coastal Croatia. There’s the magnificent Unesco-listed Cathedral of St James, a beautiful pebbly seaside with views of town, a pleasant Venetian outdated city stuffed with winding marble lanes and eating places squeezed into tiny squares. Get a blast of sea air alongside the Riva waterfront lined with cafe terraces and boats (however no cruise ships – they’ll’t get by means of the slender channel that results in town).
Head uphill to the three restored Sixteenth-century Venetian fortresses – St John, St Michael and Barone – or hike the three-mile path alongside St Anthony’s Channel to the Unesco-listed ruins of St Nicholas fortress.
Šibenik can also be the jumping-off level for 2 of Croatia’s nationwide parks – the waterfalls of Krka and Kornati’s compellingly barren islands.
The place to remain Armerun Heritage Lodge & Residence has 21 fashionable rooms and residences in a former Dominican monastery by the waterfront.
Doubles from €177 B&B in September/€112 in October
Getting there Overland journeys from the UK take not less than 26 hours and embody the Eurostar to Brussels and trains to Munich, then Flixbuses to Šibenik.
Mary Novakovich
Arcachon, Atlantic coast, France
Oyster aficionados know that autumn is normally the most effective season to expertise this delicacy. It additionally occurs to be among the finest instances to journey to Arcachon, one of many main centres for oyster cultivation on France’s Atlantic coast.
The Bassin d’Arcachon is a big sheltered bay which frequently enjoys balmy temperatures into October. In excessive summer time the small fishing villages on the bay are pleasant with their cabanes à huîtres (oyster huts) the place you’ll be able to dine on the freshest seafood along with your toes within the sand. However in autumn the city of Arcachon is a greater possibility, staying full of life year-round.
In addition to sandy seashores, scrumptious seafood and delightful Belle Epoque structure, Arcachon is the proper leaping off level for bike rides into the Landes forest or alongside the bay to see the 110m excessive Dune du Pilat. In July and August, Europe’s tallest sand dune is crawling with vacationers, however in September and October you’ll be able to absorb the gorgeous views and sunsets with out the crowds.
The place to remain Lodge de la Plage has engaging pine-clad rooms, and is near the prepare station and seaside.
Doubles from £130 an evening in September/£94 an evening in October
Getting there TGV trains make the journey from Paris to Bordeaux in simply over two hours. From Bordeaux it’s a 50-minute prepare experience to Arcachon.
JO’C