With impending grey skies & chilly mornings, it’s natural enough to dream of holding onto summer for as long as you possibly can. Where are you dreaming of? Hawaii? Thailand? If so, your fantasy probably tailed off with the weary recognition that, on your budget, it just ain’t gonna happen. Many of us believe that distance & expense is necessary to escape the British climate; the reality, though, is that you only need to migrate a little further south for prolonged sun & warmth. Spain & Portugal’s south coast, the Canary Islands, Turkey – each stay warm until early winter & all are easily reached at low cost. Cheap flights to Faro, for example, in Portugal’s Algarve, or to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, are available even when Britain is clambering into its thermal underwear.
Canary Islands
Long known for their ability to defrost even the coldest Brit, there’s a Canary Island to match every taste, so you shouldn’t overlook them just because you’re not a package holiday fan. Mountainous little La Gomera, with its rare subtropical rainforest & excellent trekking, lacks the extensive beaches of its more popular neighbours, but rarely drops below 15°C, even in January, with coastal temperatures hovering between 20 – 25°C all year round. Lanzarote, well-known for its excellent beaches, actually contains a UNESCO Biosphere reserve, & Tenerife boasts a large nature reserve as well. Gran Canaria is great for surfing, while Lanzarote also provides some thrilling land-based activities, like paragliding & camel trekking. Watersports are abundant around all the islands, apart from perhaps La Gomera, whose coast is rugged & rocky.
Northern Mediterranean coast
Let’s be straight talking about this: there’s no denying that the European Med’s climate at this time of year isn’t as hot as the Tropics. But during autumn the hours of sunshine are still comparable; whether you’re in Faro or Goa, October’s sunrises & sunsets are about the same. Meanwhile, the massive reduction in cost easily compensates for the lower temperature, which, around the northern Med in October, can vary from 10°C at its recorded lowest up to 25°C on the best days. You should take a sweater or two to be on the safe side (& so you don’t collapse from hypothermia on arrival back in the UK) but you should still be able to enjoy nice sunny strolls on the beach. Follow that with some delicious, fresh, local food & you’ll be more than prepared for hibernation on your return home.
Balearics
Alongside its reputation as a bohemian mecca, Ibiza has many areas of beautiful untouched wilderness. Its climate averages around the mid-twenties well into late October, with a slightly greater chance of rain than the summer months. It’s beautiful place to wander & enjoy the coastal wilderness, & there’s always plenty of humanity nearby if you begin to feel too solitary. Nearby Majorca stays popular throughout winter, with an average high of 18°C even in November. Sunbathing weather hangs around until late October, although it does drop a good 10°C at night so be sure to pack some extra layers.
