vacations

Six serene summer holiday spots

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June marks the start of the summer holiday season when most of us choose to get away.

If you’re wondering where to go, here’s a handful of relaxing destinations that I’ve tried and tested and will hopefully provide some travel inspiration.

If you have any questions or your own suggestions, feel free to fill in the form at the bottom of this post. Happy holidays!

SERIFOS, GREECE

Unlike the popular Greek islands that tend to be overcrowded, sleepy Serifos is a simple blend of quiet beaches and lofty walks if you’re feeling energetic, with small-scale accommodation and plenty of tavernas and cafes. The island has a direct ferry connection to Athens. A recipe for holiday bliss? You betcha.

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A blue and white church on the Greek island of Serifos

WIRRAL, UNITED KINGDOM

A short hop away from Liverpool city centre, my homegrown serene spot is based on many day trips which could turn into a holiday. West Kirby’s waterside is a place to walk, relax and enjoy the scenery. Just be prepared for the British summer weather.

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Walkers pictured at West Kirby's Marine Lake in the Wirral.

SANTIAGO, CAPE VERDE

As Sal becomes an ever more popular tourist hotspot, my advice is to visit Santiago, markedly less visited even though it’s Cape Verde’s largest island. There’s a coastal area just south of Praia with a relaxed feel, while Tarrafal in the north is tropical and laidback. Santiago can be reached via Lisbon and is a good launchpad to explore the rest of this African archipelago.

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Boats on a secluded beach at Tarrafal in the Cape Verde islands.

DJERBA, TUNISIA

A well-established North African escape less popular with Brits but easily reachable. You can doze on a sun lounger, wander along the beaches or experience some Arab culture if you’re feeling more active. Just watch out for some very hot weather in this little piece of Tunisia.

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A stretch of Djerban coast, the blue of the Mediterranean and the Spring sky.

MOHÉLI, COMOROS ISLANDS

Okay, so it takes around 24 hours to reach this rarely visited destination from the UK. But you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful tropical island scenery, your own lodge hut by the beach and the chance to see rainforest bats and stunning sea creatures. Throw in some sublime sunsets and this will be a transformative visit.

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COSTA CALMA, SPAIN

The ever popular Canary Islands are around a four-hour flight from the UK, with Fuerteventura being one of the quieter options. Costa Calma is a long sweep of sand in the island’s south. Relaxation is the name of the game here. There’ll be other tourists around but there’s plenty of room for them – and the great weather is almost guaranteed.

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Palm trees, blue sky and sea seen beyond a hotel balcony in Costa Calma, Fuerteventura.

Greek islands: Syros

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The first stop on my Greek island trip took me to rugged Tinos with its numerous churches and pretty dovecotes.

Syros, just 30 minutes away on the ferry, was the next port of call for a brief but bountiful two-night stay. An island of two halves? READ MORE BELOW

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My base in Syros was the quiet seaside village of Finikas with its little marina and a good few restaurants to choose from.

I stayed at the Brazzera Hotel, a comfortable place with very friendly and helpful staff, situated a few strides from a golden stretch of beach and clear Aegean waters. Finikas turned out to be a relaxing place to wander around and enjoy some downtime.

With the island’s showpiece capital some miles distant, I treated myself to a tour with a guide, driver and comfortable car which was worth every penny. I’d arranged this in advance from the UK with great ease.

This was a chance to see some more of the island and get to grips with the city of Ermoupoli and its hilltop neighbour of Ano Syros, rich in resplendent buildings, winding little streets and some fantastic views. There was even an El Greco painting tucked away in a church.

Having a knowledgeable and skilled guide all to myself definitely added to the experience, which was better than wandering the streets alone.

Syros may be the nominal capital of the Cyclades islands, but has an understated charm and wasn’t heaving with visitors ahead of the peak summer season. 

The pure blue skies you always expect in Greece were at times elusive, but added to the atmosphere and made photography a little more challenging.

If you like history and architecture coupled with the chance to chill on a secluded beach, Syros should be added to your island-hopping wishlist.

It was a short stay before the final island on this journey. Stayed tuned for the third little Greek gem.

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Greek islands: Tinos

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My very first taste of Greece was in 2018 with a trip to glamorous Santorini.

But it’s one of the most popular Aegean island destinations and was packed with visitors seeking sunset selfies.

I wanted to discover the quieter side of Greek island life, so chose a trip taking in three lesser known spots in the Cyclades. First stop: Tinos READ MORE BELOW

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I had a very brief layover in Athens before the four-hour ferry crossing to Tinos.

The main town was all that I wished for, with little whitewashed streets and tucked away tavernas serving delicious food.

A main attraction is the Evangelistria church, a place so holy that a carpeted stretch of street allows pilgrims to get there on their knees. 

The coast within hiking distance of Tinos town offers sparkling clear azure waters and quiet stretches of beach which may well fill up in the height of summer.

Car or scooter hire isn’t an option for me, so I booked myself a tour of Tinos with an elderly driver-guide who knew the island like the back of his weathered hand.

This rugged place is dotted with villages and ornate Tinian dovecotes. Pyrgos, built on the riches of marble extraction and Volax, which sits on a scattering of volcanic rocks, are worthy stops.

Tinos comes with a note of caution, however. A fearsome wind capable of sweeping you off your feet can whip across the island and it felt so chilly that I invested in an emergency overcoat.

Hold on to your hats until the next island stop – Tinos was the interesting and far less crowded start I’d hoped for.

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Five enchanting small islands

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I like islands and being surrounded by sea. The more compact, the more I like them. Here are five of the best that I’ve visited and are definitely punching above their cute size. You might like to add them to your travel bucket list.

GOZO

Country: Malta  Size: 67km²  Population: 32,723

Gozo is a gem in the southern Mediterranean, the smaller partner in the Maltese archipelago. For a little island it has some grand architecture, including an impressive citadel and large churches, while its diminutive towns are charmingly sleepy. And don’t forget the dramatic coastline and a lot of very tasty food.

Top tips: Visit in the verdant Spring. Hire a bike. TAP/ CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Ta'Pinu sanctuary, Gozo

The impressive Ta’Pinu sanctuary dominates western Gozo

PIEL ISLAND

Country: United Kingdom  Size: 50 hectares  Population: 10

This Cumbrian speck of land is the smallest of my picks. It sits just off the Furness peninsula and packs in a ruined castle and a pub. You can only reach it by a small ferry which is an event in itself. It has a long, interesting history and some quirky traditions.

Top tips: Instead of heading to the Lake District, try out the coastline. And obviously have a tiny island pub lunch. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Ferry boat to Piel Island, Cumbria

You must take a little ferry boat to reach Piel Island

FAIAL

Country: Portugal  Size: 173km­²  Population: 14,875

This little island is part of the Azores archipelago, situated in the mid-Atlantic Ocean a long way from Portugal’s mainland. It has scenic drama, sitting in the shadow of Mount Pico, the country’s highest peak. Faial is also home to the volcanic landscape of Capelhinos and a partially buried lighthouse. You also have the charming harbour town of Horta to explore.

Top tips: Take the ferry to nearby Pico, a whole other island. For circular stairway photos, head to the lighthouse. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Fish artwork in the port of Horta, Azores

Colourful artwork adorning the port of Horta

MIYAJIMA

Country: Japan  Size: 30km²  Population: 2,018

This island is an hour away from Hiroshima and is popular with Japanese people and tourists alike. It’s the home of the world-famous floating Torii Gate (shrouded in scaffolding when I visited) and various other shrines and temples. There’s also a bustling market to find delicious street foods. You can walk up to a cable car ride which offers fantastic views of the Inland Sea.

Top tips: Try the seafood dumplings and green tea ice-cream. Be prepared for deer to steal them. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Pagoda on Miyajima Island

There’s no shortage of serene architecture on Miyajima

KORCULA

Country: Croatia  Size: 279km²  Population: 15,522

This island in the blue waters of the Adriatic is full of good things. Its main town is full of honey-coloured stone buildings and a miniature version of mighty Dubrovnik to the south. Explore, wander at a slow pace, find a café – it’s a place to escape the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Top tips: Clamber to the top of St Mark’s Cathedral. Stay on Korcula for several days. TAP/CLICK IMAGE TO SEE MORE

Sunset from the island of Korcula, Croatia

There’s something about a sunset witnessed from Korcula

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Agadir: Morocco’s resort city

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Morocco’s seaside city of Agadir was rebuilt from scratch in 1960 after a devastating earthquake. It’s popular with European tourists but does it lack Eastern promise? CONTINUE READING BELOW

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Agadir’s crowning glory is its long, sweeping beach and promenade. They’re popular with Moroccans and tourists for walks, football games and dipping into the frothy Atlantic brine.

The shoreline is beautiful, and drew me into the water with my camera to capture reflections and the sheen on the sands.

It’s lined with a dizzying array of hotels, including the Palais de Roses which was my pleasant base for the week. Yes, the area feels a little watered down, European-leaning and lacking the North African buzz and excitement of Marrakech. It’s easier to find a steak dinner than a lamb tagine.

Couple on Agadir beach, Morocco

A romantic moment on Agadir’s beach

You could easily spend a week lounging by the pool and wandering along the beach. But inland there’s a whole other Agadir which is well worth exploring. It’s quite a walk from the seaside but there’s no shortage of taxis to take the strain. 

The city centre is where everyday Moroccan life happens. And given it was rebuilt in the 1960s, back streets in the Abattoir district look like they’ve been there for centuries.

You have to visit the Souk el Had, crammed with produce, tourist trinkets and just about everything else you can lay your hands on. It’s heady, pungent and brings you that Eastern promise in spades. Don’t be too polite to say no to stallholders’ approaches, and be careful when photographing people in the market.

It’s also worth taking a taxi up to Oufella, the hill that overlooks Agadir bay and is emblazoned with the words ‘God, King and country’. The views are exceptional, although when I went it was unusually murky (typical).

I also went on day trips to other parts of the coast, but can appreciate why some visitors decide to take it easy and just soak up the sun. The choice is all yours in the city of Agadir.

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