5 Itineraries For A Long Weekend In The Sun

For a slice of island life, book a trip to beautiful Corsica, a mountainous French island in the Med. Just a 50-minute ferry ride from Sardinia, it has interesting Italian influences that extend to its unique cuisine, which fuses classic French cooking with Mediterranean ingredients. Corsica is all about exploring the great outdoors and relaxing on the beach – think snorkelling, hiking along its mountain ridges, and walking through the island’s verdant valleys and forests. Make a beeline for the beautiful Plage de Palombaggia, a picture-postcard beach with white sand and clear waters, then explore ancient architecture, including the prehistoric Flitosa and the Citadel, a 12th-century fortress with striking views of the Med. Réserve Naturelle de Scandola (a World Heritage Site only accessible by boat) is another must-see, as is Îles Lavezzi, a protected cluster of islets teaming with aquatic life.

Where To Stay

Affordable: Cala di Greco

There’s no shortage of luxury hotels in Corsica, but Cala di Greco offers great value for money. High on a hill opposite the Citadel, the four-star hotel has beautiful views of Sardinia in the distance. Swim in two heated outdoor pools, enjoy Mediterranean dishes on the terrace, order sundowners at the bar, and explore the area on the hotel’s e-bikes. Accommodation ranges from superior rooms with a patio and terrace to stylish suites with private pools, all with minimalist and modern décor. 

Rooms from £167 per night.

Visit Hotel-CalaDiGreco.com

Luxe: La Plage Casadelmar

Right on the beach in the Bay of Porto-Vecchio, this luxury hotel has 19 rooms designed to blend in with the scenic surroundings – think natural colours and textures, and light wood furniture throughout. It’s ideal for a romantic trip for two, as guests can sunbathe by the outdoor pool or on sun loungers on the beach, dine on the likes of linguine vongole at the hotel’s restaurant and book boat trips to explore the south of the island, which offers crystal-clear waters and limestone cliffs.

Rooms from £400 per night.

Visit LaPlageCasadelmar.Fr

A top destination for any kind of city break, Lisbon has it all. Portugal’s coastal capital is spread across seven hillsides with breathtaking views overlooking the Rio Tejo cradle. Visitors can discover ancient architecture and explore the cobbled alleyways and white-topped cathedrals – not to mention enjoy the city’s fantastic restaurants and bars. Wander down the hills or catch the famous Tram 28 to explore Alfama, Lisbon’s traditional side, then visit the beautiful Mosteiro dos Jerónimos monastery and Castelo de São Jorge, an impressive castle which dates back to the 11th century. In term of museums, Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga and Museu Calouste Gulbenkian are worth a visit, as is Fronteira Palace, a former hunting pavilion filled with 17th-century antiques. 

Where To Stay

Affordable: Micasaenlisboa

Micasaenlisboa is a small but stylish guesthouse perched high on Calcada do Monte in the Graca neighbourhood. The property has nine rooms across over four floors with whitewashed walls, floor-to-ceiling windows and some of the best interiors on this list. Doubles have everything you need for a comfortable stay, while attic rooms have a private terrace and freestanding baths in the room. Fresh bread and eggs, coffee, homemade jams and pastries are served for breakfast in guests’ rooms, the dining room or the pretty pebbled courtyard. The best part? Micasaenlisboa arranges weekly in-house dinners with some of Lisbon’s top chefs where you’ll learn about Portuguese cuisine and wines.

Rooms from £65 per night.

Visit ThePerfectHideaway.com

Luxe: 1908 Lisboa Hotel

The 1908 in the title is a clue to when this hotel was built, but today it comes complete with a top restaurant and stylish bar. Mixing art-nouveau heritage with modern style, the property is in downtown Lisbon next to the Tagus river – perfect for exploring the city. Rooms range from comfortable doubles and spacious family rooms to The Attic on the top floor with a freestanding bath. Infame restaurant is a destination in its own right, where you can enjoy modern dishes made with local ingredients, while the bar along the front of the hotel serves well-made cocktails.

Rooms from £180 per night.

Visit 1908LisboaHotel.com

One of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations, Croatia has over 1,200 islands to explore. Easily reached from London, it’s a great option if you’re craving some sunshine. Head to the island of Brac for its stunning white-pebble beach, Zlatni Rat, often referred to as the Golden Cape or Golden Horn. Here, visitors can try windsurfing and kitesurfing, before hitting the beachside restaurants. Blanca Hermitage, a beautiful 15th-century monastery is a must-see, as is Stina, a winery that runs 30-minute tours and tastings. For your next Instagram profile pic, climb to the top of Vidova Gora – it’s a tough two-hour hike but the wonderful views are worth the journey. The neighbouring island of Hvar, which is equally beautiful, is a 30-minute ferry ride away. A couple of days is enough time to see the highlights and soak up the laidback way of life. Visit Dubovica beach for its turquoise waters, then head for the small town of Fortica which is lined with medieval buildings, including a magnificent fortress. Hvar Town is where you’ll find some of the best restaurants and bars.

Where To Stay

Affordable: Olife Hotel, Brac

Olife Hotel has modern interiors throughout and an adjoining villa for six to eight guests. A ten-minute walk from the beach, the hotel is in Milna, a small fishing village with a beautiful harbour. This feels more like a guesthouse with its whitewashed walls, exposed brick and an elegant iron-wrought staircase. There are 26 rooms (six have sea views) plus a restaurant and terrace perched over the water for al fresco dining. Offering excellent value for money, rooms are comfortable, food portions are generous, and the staff can help you organise everything from boat transfers to family activities. 

Rooms from £95 per night.

Visit Olife.hr

Luxe: Hotel Lemon Garden, Brac

Set on its own private beach and surrounded by lemon groves, this luxury hotel has beautiful sea views from Brac’s Old Town. Spread across three stone buildings, Hotel Lemon Garden has all the extras you’d expect, including a heated outdoor pool, beach bar and spa with a Finnish sauna and steam room. Inside, expect chic Mediterranean-inspired décor in 35 bright rooms with pops of colour and Murano glass light fixtures, while en-suites are spacious with baths and showers. The hotel has its own destination restaurant and bar, serving the likes of seabass with lemon thyme; agnolotti stuffed with polenta and prawns; lamb fettuccine; and lemon tart.

Rooms from £280 per night.

Visit LemonGardenHotel.com

Affordable: Hotel Podstine, Hvar

One of the most affordable hotels in Hvar, Podstine is the only property on the island with a rocky beach front where you can jump straight into the sea from the deck. Sheltered by the tall rocks of Podstine Bay, the hotel has 50 comfortable rooms, ranging from simple double bedrooms to superior rooms with balconies and sea views. Guests can swim in the freshwater pool and lie on sun loungers by the sea, book treatments at the spa, sip cocktails at the beach bar and try local seafood at Restaurant Amo.

Rooms from £65 per night.

Visit Podstine.com

Luxe: Little Green Bay, Hvar 

Ideal for large group holidays, Little Green Bay is a calm oasis close to buzzy Hvar Town. Sitting above an almost deserted beach, it offers afternoon boat excursions, complete with everything from snorkelling to kayaking. There are 15 boutique rooms with luxury bathrooms, as well as an outdoor spa where you can enjoy treatments on the deck or relax in the jacuzzi. A bistro overlooks the beach and specialises in simple Mediterranean classics like grilled octopus; roast chicken with rosemary and paprika; and watermelon and mint salad. Little Green Bay is available for exclusive bookings.

Price available on request.

Visit LittleGreenBay.com