The Myths and Legends of Cyprus
Cyprus is an ideal location to enjoy autumn sunshine… just as the rest of Europe is putting on its sweaters! The port city of Paphos is, according to legend,associated with Aphrodite. The goddess of beauty was said to have emerged from the waves here and now has her own beach where a stone stands proudly in memory of this mythological event.
Trekking in the Troodos Mountains is one of the best weekend getaways in Cyprus. The journey from Paphos takes around an hour and there are some real treasures to be found – the Kalidonia Falls, one of the few waterfalls on the island and the scenic Artemis Route around Mount Olympus. This is the perfect place to explore the beauty of nature with your loved one and enjoy magical moments just for two. After this adventure, be sure to visit the village of Omodos, where the Monastery of the Holy Cross, local vineyards and tavernas serving Cypriot antipasti offer the perfect end to the day. For a quick coastal romance, head to the Akamas Peninsula. Here, turtles lay their eggs in Lara Bay and the Avakas Gorge invites you to stroll among the pink oleanders.
Living La Dolce Vita in Sicily
Catania is a city break for those who know how to live. Under the smoky gaze of Mount Etna, you’ll find a city full of energy and Sicilian ease. Time passes differently here – espresso in a café, lazy afternoons on the beach and evenings of unbridled energy. La Playa (Plaja di Catania) is just the right place for autumn beachcombing. Here the sea breeze catches your shirt like a friend who has just found the meaning of life, and the sun remains warm enough to lie on the sand and pretend you’re the only person on the island who knows the true meaning of la dolce vita.
The fact that you have a slice of sky in front of you and a massive volcano behind you makes any beachcombing experience extra delicious. Literally, because the ash-soaked soil of Etna produces some of the best wines Sicily has to offer. So sipping a glass of Nero d’Avola feels like drinking the history of the land – agreat idea for a romantic evening for two. A relaxing weekend in Europe is the true essence of life. A quick hop to Catania is the answer to why Italians are masters of living life on their own terms. Nobody is in a hurry, because everything important happens when it happens. A stroll through the market, a chat with your neighbour – these are not extras, they are the essence of Sicilian life.
A Maltese Rendezvous
Malta’s capital is the quintessential southern European city. Baroque architecture is interspersed with string-drying porte cochere, while bustling pubs fizz with patrons enjoying local food. The squares are scented with flowers and the promise of a lazy afternoon and every street invites you to lose yourself. Forget fancy restaurants; in Valletta, you eat like a local and the atmosphere more than matches the menu. Phthira, bigilla, capers and olives appear on the table, accompanied by aljotta – a delicious fish broth. Food is not about rushing here, it’s about savouring the moment and its simple pleasures.
If you want a city break by the beach, go to Golden Bay. Nothing rushes you and no-one tires you making it the perfect escape from the chaos of everyday life. Tucked away between Malta and Gozo is the third and smallest of the islands, Comino. Off its coast lies the Blue Lagoon, a natural retreat for holidaymakers looking for something a little more relaxed and intimate. The views are like a postcard straight from the Maldives!
Andalusia’s 300 Days of Sunshine
There could hardly be a better destination for a weekend city break. Over 300 days of sunshine a year is no joke, it’s a promise. Forget vitamin supplements as vitamin D rains down from the sky like confetti at a fiesta. There’s enough of it for every visitor who comes for the rays and stays for the laid-back Andalusian vibe that says ‘forget the stress, you’re in Malaga’.
Andalusians say you’ll find the best jamón ibérico at El Pimpi, accompanied by the cream of Spanish society. At La Tranca, try tortillitas de camarones and pimientos de padrón. Casa Lola is a mecca for tapas (from espetos to croquetas) and Bodega Bar El Gallo offers excellent Andalusian wines. La Campana, famous for its seafood tapas, serves legendary boquerones en vinagre.
Don’t miss crossing the Caminito del Rey. You’ll experience an incredible adrenaline rush on this eight-kilometre trail with wooden footbridges suspended more than 100 metres above the Guadalhorce ravine, in the heart of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Park. Marbella, with its main sandy beach La Fontanilla, is a good place to spend the day on a sun lounger or towel before heading to the old town for tapas – the fried boquerones are delicious. When the sun goes down, Fuengirola and its Paseo Marítimo become the epicentre of relaxation, so take a stroll, catch some rays and end the evening with a tinto de verano in a local bar.
A Mediterranean Oasis in Alicante
Alicante benefits from direct cheap flights from the UK and is renowned for Mediterranean well-being. The beach of San Juan tops our list of the best places for a city break with a beach. It stretches seven kilometres from the fishing village of El Campello to the cape of Cabo de las Huertas. The high standards of the beach here is recognised by the prestigious EU Blue Flag award. Social beachgoers will also enjoy the town’s Playa del Postiguet, which is full of bars and restaurants.
It would be a sin not to visit the castle of Santa Bárbara. It was once a strategic point of defence from which the whole coast was controlled – now you can play that role and see Alicante from a perspective you won’t find anywhere else. It was here that Queen Isabella I ordered cannons to be fired as Spanish soldiers defended the walls against French attacks.
The neighbouring island of Tabarca has just 73 inhabitants and no cars, only forklifts. It is the only inhabited island in the small archipelago, where you can eat the region’s famous paella. An ideal place for snorkelling in a marine reserve, beachcombing or exploring ruins and lighthouses.
Remember, even a short city break can give you the energy you need for the UK’s long autumn evenings. There are plenty of destinations in Europe that lend themselves to spontaneous getaways, allowing you to take a break from the daily grind and enjoy life, whatever the season.
