Eastern Mediterranean
Mediterranean cruise holidays are always popular with travellers from the UK, it’s an easy destination that doesn’t take much travelling to, and you get to explore some of the nicest places in Europe and Africa, with ease. There is variety of different cruise lines, ships and itineraries to choose from for the Mediterranean, they are split into two, Eastern Mediterranean and Western Mediterranean. We are going to first look at the Eastern Mediterranean cruise holidays.

There are many breath-taking moments to expect when cruising in the Eastern Mediterranean, which includes St Mark’s Square, as your ship slips down the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, here you can disembark off your large cruise ship and hop onto something a little smaller, a gondola and explore some of the 150 canals.

Bustling St Mark's Square

Picture couresty of xiquinhosilva

Also the ruins of Olympia in Athens, Greece where you can experience all the ancient cultural treasures it has to offer. You can climb up to the Acropolis for awesome view, or take in the culture at the atmospheric Monastiraki street market.

Acropolis ruins, Athens

Picture courtesy of simon_music

And not forgetting the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on a visit to the capital Cairo where you not only get to enjoy one of the Seven Wonders of the World but also the bustling traditional bazaars.

Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza

Picture courtesy of JackVersloot

With an Eastern Mediterranean cruise holiday you also get the option for overnight stays in amazing cosmopolitan cities such as Venice and Istanbul where you can really take in the atmosphere. You can choose from voyages of twenty nights from Southampton, or you can do a fly and cruise holiday and pick up on the cruise in an option of destinations such as Italy or Greece, there are also cruise and stay options available which combine a week’s hotel accommodation on a Greek island with a seven-night cruise, so there are plenty of options available.

Theodori church - Firostefani, Santorini (Greece)

Picture courtesy of Navin75

There is a reason why a lot of people retire to Spain, the temperate weather of the winter months here in the UK we can experience freezing temperatures and blistering cold winds, which is why many older people tend to opt for Spain to live, especially when it gets cold.

At this time of year the temperatures in Spain are around 20C-25C, they can get down to around 10C later on however that’s nothing compared to what we get here, which is why Spain also makes a great holiday destination too this time of year. Prices are also a lot less than at peak times which mean you can find a reasonable priced holiday villa in Spain for a lot less than the summer, but can still experience pleasant temperatures.

There is still plenty to see and do at this time of year in Spain, when the country comes alive in a blaze of autumnal colour, it’s great for walking, where you can fully enjoy the breath taking scenery and watch as the country side comes alive harvesting fresh produce. You will also find the beaches free of crowds where you can enjoy the coastal walks in peace. The wine growing region of the Rioja Alavesa also undergoes a transformation in the autumn from green to the most vibrant tones of red and is a hive of activity and celebration as the whole area prepares for the harvest.

The wine growing region of the Rioja Alavesa

Picture courtesy of Shaury

With so much to see and do, there is no excuse not to book a villa holiday and explore the best of Spain at a pace to suit you, you can relax and take in the scenery without been blasted with hot temperatures, as well as getting away from the chill in the UK.

Spanish coastline

Picture courtesy of Paulo Brandao

We have extensively looked at places to enjoy some late autumn sun across Europe and further afield, however we shouldn’t dismiss the UK just because we don’t always have that much great weather in the autumn. You can enjoy a nice break staying in an English country cottage and just because the weather is not great does not mean there won’t be anything to do.

The great thing about Great Britain is no matter where your staying there is something for everyone to enjoy whether it’s braving the elements in the great outdoors, if that your cup of tea, or exploring the UK from undercover. We have 15 National Parks in the UK, including: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, Loch Lomond, Snowdonia and Exmoor to name but a few, all offer a wide range of activities for the whole family to enjoy, from outdoor adventure to peaceful stately homes.

In and around our National Parks there is a wide range of accommodation to stay in, you can choose from stately 5* hotels, charming country cottages, rustic log cabins, old fashioned barges and much more, there are plenty of holiday rentals to choose from, the hardest part is deciding which part of the UK to go!

Some popular summer holiday destinations are great to visit during the autumn, you still get plenty of sunshine, however you will find a lot less tourists which means you can easily get around and see things that you might not be able to if you visited during the summer holidays. Two resorts that are packed with visitors over the summer are Lanzarote and Rhodes, if you come a little later on however you will find you have a lot more space.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Lanzarote has a more desert-like climate than the Mediterranean it’s just 70km from the Western Sahara, so it is best to visit in the autumn, with north-easterly trade winds, dropping and the sea, nicely heated by the sun ready to take a dip in. Many people prefer the milder temperatures which hover around the mid-20s and the absence of crowds blocking the attractions and amenities you also have more choice of accommodation such as lovely secluded holiday cottages and villas or small calm hotels. This is the perfect time to don your walking shoes and trek the island’s volcanic peaks like Timanfaya national park (Fire Mountain), you can miss its red and ochre lunar landscape and seismic activity.

Volcanic Landscape, Timanfaya, Lanzarote

Picture courtesy of GanMed64

Rhodes, Greece

There are many Greek islands to choose from, and all of them offer warm sunshine and few crowds during the autumn, however there is one island that is best explore at this time of year and its the lovely island of Rhodes. The medieval town is normally crammed full of tourists during the summer months which makes admiring it extremely hard let alone taking any great pictures, however during the autumn its narrow alleys, lined with Ottoman mansions, and tranquil squares are virtually empty. You will also be able to find reasonably priced holiday villas in and around Rhodes. The island’s most popular tourist attraction, Petaloudes (Butterfly Valley) is best visited in September this lovely green dell in the middle of the island is tourist-free making it very easy to spot the thousands of brightly coloured insects. Temperatures will hover around the mid to high 20s so you can still get a tan if you want to do some sun bathing on the nearby beaches such as Kalithea, which is just 8km south and it’s famous for its hot medicinal springs.

Arches in Rhodes

Picture courtesy of DavidDennisPhotos.com

Plans for an Iberia theme park to rival Disneyland Paris have been announced by Paramount, who are the company behind Indiana Jones, Titanic, Grease and Transformers want to build a major attraction on Spain’s southeast coast, pulling in an anticipated three million visitors a year. Spain is country mainly associated with tourists who want bargain beach holidays and plenty of fun in the sun, however it’s hoped that a new theme park will attract more visitors from across Europe.

The exact details of the site are unknown however it will be based in Murcia which is a region that has become popular with families as an affordable beach destination. Paramount has confirmed it will be making its vast library of films available to the 2.5km-squared park and it will also be the biggest park in Spain.

Other projects from Paramount include the Kings Island in Canada which has rides and daily shows, Paramount’s American theme parks were sold off in 2006. The company had planned to re-enter the theme park business with a new opening in Dubai, however following the collapse of the Emirates financial market last year those plans were shelved.

After seeing visitor numbers drop over the past couple of years Spain’s tourism board will be hoping the project will give the country a much needed boost, on top of that it’s expected that the park will generate 15,000 new hotels beds in the area and create 20,000 jobs locally. There have been rumors for the past few months about a new theme park in Spain and its thought that popular beach holiday regions Catalonia and Andalucia had also put in bids to have the park.

We have seen what we can find in France and Italy for some nice summer sun so we are going to see what other popular summer holiday destinations have to offer at this time of year:

Andalucia, Spain

Spain is one of the most popular destinations with holiday makers from the UK, and even after the height of summer there is still plenty to enjoy especially great temperatures in fact autumn days in Andalucia are still exotically warm, often hitting the low 30s. To top it off the beaches are so much quieter as well so you really can relax. You can find some amazing holiday villas in Spain to stay in at much lower prices than during peak time so that leaves you with more money to spend on enjoying the area. Sierra de Aracena national park, just north of Seville, is one of the least-known of Andalucia’s parks and it is great for those who enjoy a bit of rambling. If you want to experience a more traditional Spain you can visit the lively market town of Aracena, with its limestone caves and 13th-century church built by the Knights Templar. Here you can enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine such as tapas.

Cortijo de las Piletas, Ronda, Málaga, Andalucía

Picture courtesy of Toprural

Cyprus

If you really want to enjoy some sun then a holiday to Cyprus will fit the bit, its southerly position means it enjoys a long, hot autumn with temperatures well into the 30’s. If you want to get away from some of the resorts in Cyprus then look for holiday cottages in one of the many villages, many old cottages have been converted for accommodation and also into inns. They tend to be in more rural areas however there is so much to explore you will be kept occupied plus it’s a great way to see how the locals live away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts. It’s great if you want a relaxing break away from people.

Pissouri Bay, Cyprus

Picture courtesy of Andrew_D_Hurley

Autumn is a great time to get a way for that much needed break, with the school holidays now over many resorts will be a lot less crowded, so you can easily find a spot by the pool or on the beach and don’t have to queue at attractions. There are a lot of great destinations that still have some nice summer sun that isn’t too hot, which means you can get out and about and visit lots of places or still relax on a beach and sunbath comfortably.

Saint-Tropez, France

One of the more famous resorts on the Côte d’Azur, Saint-Tropez is filled with the rich and famous throughout the summer months which make this a popular destination however it takes on a whole new identity come autumn. Gone are the crowds of people and instead you get peace and calm with many beaches which usually become packed like  Plage de Pampelonne and Plage des Salins during the summer are so much more quite, along with many bars and restaurants. The temperatures here rest around an average of 25C which is perfect for watching the world go by, well all the yachts and super cars.

Saint-Tropez, France

 Picture courtesy of lgpueyo

Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia is one of Italy’s most popular destinations during the summer with its many beaches and fantastic scenery, so when it quietens down in the autumn you get to enjoy these without the crowds. Between September and December there are a series of festivals that take place across 27 villages in Barbagia, which is a mountainous area of inland Sardinia. During this many of the streets of these villages are transformed into markets, local craftsmen hold workshops and locals throw open their doors to visitors.

Torre del Stelle - Sardinia

Picture courtesy of Frankensteinnn

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, (attracting more than 50 million visitors a year) Spain which is also a top destination for UK tourists who wish to enjoy the sun, sand and sangria, has plenty to offer no matter what holiday your after.

For those who want easy going family holidays where all you needs are catered for then you don’t need to look further than the popular resorts such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote which offer plenty of family orientated activities. If you want a faced paced party holiday then you need to be going to Spain’s world famous party capital, Ibiza or the lively resort of Magaluf. And for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the busier tourist resorts you can look to stay in some traditional holiday rentals in Spain further off the beaten track such as Correalejo National Park, and the resorts of La Gomera and La Palma.

There is also more to Spain than the golden beaches, if you travel a little further in land you will find a country steeped in history with a rich culture as well as cities which boast world’s finest architecture as well as breath taking scenery. Here you also get to enjoy the real Spain, with its sights, sounds and tastes that are a world away from the bright tacky lights and British orientated food found in many of the resorts.  If you stay in holiday villas further inland you will get to enjoy the real Spain, in villages the feel like they have stood still in time.

The Costa del Sol region in southern Spain that is made up of small coastal towns and communities which stretch from Almeria to Tarifa and this area is a much favoured holiday destination here in Europe, every year thousands of people travel here to enjoy a holiday in the sun. The Costa del Sol is an all year round destination with a large offering of fine, sandy beaches and calm Mediterranean waters, with a mild climate that means you can enjoy the beaches and a wide variety of outdoor and water activities all year round.

Torremolinos Beach - Costa del Sol

Picture courtesy of manuelfloresy

For an exciting family holiday or a relaxing get away break the resorts of the Costa del Sol like Benalmadena, Fuengirola Torremolinos, and Marbella, will have something for everyone no matter what you are looking for. There are many holiday villas in the Costa del Sol that can sleep anyone from couples to large families, either as part of a resort complex or somewhere a bit quieter out of the way. You can choose to stay self catering or go for some which are part of a complex that offer bed and breakfast, which ever best suits your needs. Many of the resorts in this area are easy to get to, especially with the new Autopista del Sol granting access from Malaga to Estepona and beyond to Gibraltar. The International Airport has regular flights to most key cities and is located just 10 minutes from Malaga City center, and within half an hour by car from most other popular resorts on the coast.

Marbella - Costa del Sol

Picture courtesy of ppz

The Costa del Sol has become one of the most developed part of the coast, with many of the town been developed to cater for the tourists needs near your holiday villa or cottage, many have modernized their boardwalks, or ‘ paseo maritimos. The area boasts plenty of tourist attractions but it is also known as “The Costa del Golf,” thanks to the many golf courses that line the area. If golfing isn’t your thing there are plenty of other activities to keep you entertained when you’re not relaxing on the beaches, for families and children there are theme parks, including water parks, safari parks and go-karting. There are also many beautifully landscaped public gardens to enjoy in many of the resorts, so you can take time to unwind.

Torremolinos

Picture courtesy of Gert Mewes

If you want to take your family away this summer for an exciting action packed holiday this year then there are a huge number of destinations to choose from, you can tailor make your holiday to your specifications. Holiday rentals are great for those who want to holiday at their own pace, you are not tied to a hotel schedule and can come and go as you please, they are also great if there are a large group of, many rentals, either holiday cottages or villas can sleep anywhere between 4 and 20 people. They will include all the necessary amenities and if you are going to destinations in hotter climes you can also enjoy the luxury of your own pool in some. 

You can choose to be right in an action packed resort or you can opt for somewhere quieter and out of the way, if you are looking to stay here in the UK there are many places either in land or in coastal resorts. You can stay near places of interest either somewhere historical that offers castles and grand houses to explore or somewhere that offers thrill’s and excitement like a theme park.  You could opt for a city break and explore the Capital with many days out to choose from.

If you want to take your family further afield then Europe is a great option and staying in a holiday cottage or villa and enjoy the freedom mentioned above. You can choose a drive holiday to France or a fly drive holiday to Spain opting for favourite family destinations or somewhere a bit quieter off the beaten track.

If your tailor making the holiday yourself you can normally find better prices and could get it cheaper than a package holiday, comparing rental prices as well as travel prices for air, rail and sea, so why not have a look for yourself today and get on your way to creating those oh so important memories.