Late season holidays are an excellent idea for singles, couples and families who don’t have school age children and that want to enjoy some sunshine. As schools reopen after the summer break, family tour operators start to wind down their operations and there are some great bargains to be had.
Flights and hotels at the height of summer during the school holidays can cost up to 92 percent more than you would expect to pay for a similar holiday later in the year. In the current economic climate and when so many people have had to cut back on their holiday spending, it makes good economic sense to avoid going on holiday in peak season.
Whether you have a taste for rural touring, sightseeing or city breaks, autumn or winter is the time to travel. An abundance of seasonal fruit and vegetables means that there are plenty of gastronomic treats to be enjoyed at this time of year on the continent as well.
The choice of destination will depend on the type of holiday you’re after. Some countries offer year-round sunshine while others provide cultural experiences or the chance to sample delicious seasonal produce.
Late season bargains
Holidays in Spain are very popular in autumn. Cheaper flights and lower hotel rates, combined with less crowded resorts, offer the chance for a more affordable relaxing break off-season.
Warm days and cooler nights enable late season holidaymakers to combine sightseeing with sunbathing by the pool. Those who make the effort to travel further inland away from main resorts will be rewarded with a variety of interesting cultural experiences. Foodies will also relish the opportunity to enjoy Spanish regional specialities made with seasonal produce.
Apart from seaside resorts on mainland Spain such as Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and Costa Brava, Spain’s offshore islands including Majorca and Ibiza are also popular with British holidaymakers in search of some late season sun.
Ruins and beaches
For those who wish to avoid the heat and crowds of peak summer, Turkey’s ‘Turquoise Coast’, with its balmy spring and autumn and mild winters, is an ideal late season destination for grabbing some sun. Apart from relaxing by the sea, holidays to Turkey offer the chance to explore some wonderful ancient sites, the best known being Ephesus.
Turkey’s attractive Mediterranean shoreline is an excellent choice for walking holidays in late summer. Long stretches of sandy beaches, cliffs interspersed with coves, offshore islands and deep canyons are set against a backdrop of pine clad hills and snow-capped mountains rising to 10,000ft in places.
Year round sunshine
Autumn is not generally the best time for Mediterranean beach holidays but holidays to Gran Canaria are perfect for anyone who goes in search of winter sun. Gran Canaria’s warm climate is its greatest natural attraction, making it a great year-round holiday destination.
Gran Canaria is a dream holiday for beach lovers, with wonderful sands for sunbathing and spectacular sand dunes. However, it's not just about sun and beaches. Holidaymakers are drawn to Gran Canaria’s amazing mountainous interior formed by ancient volcanic activity. Opportunities for duty-free shopping also bring visitors back year after year.
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