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If you, like me, can’t possibly wait until the summer holidays for your next short haul break, then you may be interested in some of our suggestions for a spot of early season sunshine.
If you’re not tied to travelling during the school holidays, then a week away in May, June or September (if you can wait that long), can be a great alternative time to travel. Enjoy mingling with more locals than tourists, seeing destinations in a different light, yet still with decent weather and plenty to do.
Not sure where to go at this time of year? Well fear not, as we have spent plenty of time thinking about this and though it was a challenge, we’ve managed to narrow it down to our top 5 destinations for shoulder season travel.
Corfu
Many guests think of the Greek Islands as the perfect destination for a summer holiday, which they are indeed. However, the season starts early with an average temperature of 24 degrees in May. A week in Corfu at this time of year benefits from long sunny days and beautiful wildflowers.
Corfu is a favourite for walking holidays and this time of year is ideal for just that. Take a welcome break in a seaside taverna watching the boats come in as you bask in the glorious sunshine.
Puglia
Springtime in Puglia is just delightful, with perfect weather in May and June at an average of 20 degrees and though the sea may still be a little on the chilly side, the beaches are idyllic with fewer crowds than later in the year.
Spend time walking and hiking in the countryside, or sightseeing in beautiful cities such as Lecce and Bari admiring the impressive architecture. Stroll through the streets and be sure to make an essential stop for gelato!
Sicily
Sicily is a destination that you can visit anytime between April and October and the trip will be wonderful. An average daytime temperature of 22 degrees in May and 25 degrees in June provides optimum conditions for anything from hiking to relaxing on splendid sandy beaches.
Explore cities such as Palermo visiting Baroque churches and palazzos stopping to dine al fresco in one of many cafés or restaurants; relax and watch the world go by.
Portugal
The Algarve is one of Europe's sunniest places and enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year, so it is no surprise that the holiday season runs from April until the end of October.
The flowers and trees begin to blossom, while the miles of beautiful beaches are relatively unspoiled when visiting outside of the summer months.
While spring in the Douro Valley is equally as charming, with lush scenery to accompany picturesque towns; the perfect place to enjoy slow living on a wine tour.
Spain
May is the first of the truly warmer months of the year in Andalucia, with an average daytime temperature of around 20 degrees, meaning it's pleasantly warm to enjoy quiet beaches and sightseeing.
Spring is also ideal for exploring the island of Mallorca's incredible landscapes either walking or hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana; this time of year is also popular with cyclists, with a number of cycling routes offering spectacular views of the island. Wander through the pretty village of Deia, stopping to observe boutiques selling beautiful artwork and to sip on sangria as you make your way to the beach.
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