So it is now late summer and suddenly it feels like the holidays and the warm season is slipping away. But it is not too late to embark on another holiday or to grab that week in the sun you have been wanting all year. In fact at this time of year many travel firms begin to offer discounts, particularly for holidays in September when most kids return to school. So if you want to travel somewhere hot and pick up a late summer tan, read on to find out the best destinations that prove the dog days are not yet over.
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Greece
The Greek islands offer some of the most delightful beach and sailing holidays destinations in Europe, but the problem is that in the height of summer they just become far too crowded with tourists. So hang back a bit in the months of July and August and think about taking a trip to places such as Santorini in September. Relax in traditional Greek tavernas enjoying olives, feta cheese and a glass of authentic Ouzo without masses of tourists ruining the experience. Ionian and Aegean resorts will still be lively, with a vibrant nightlife if that is what you are after, but without the long queues at the bar to get served. You will also find that the weather stays warm throughout the end of August and even into October, without the stifling heat you get earlier in the summer, making for an all-round more comfortable break.
Tunisia
Though a few holiday destinations on the north side of the Mediterranean will be slowly cooling down at the end of summer, Tunisia keeps on sizzling throughout the autumn. In fact many people say that the beach-side weather in this North African nation during the early autumn or late summer is at its finest – not uncomfortable hot as it is in July, but warm enough to lay down on the beach all day in nothing but a swimsuit. Tunisia is also super cheap, even in comparison to budget destinations in the Spanish Costas, so is a prime place to go if you want to save a few pounds. Head to the World Heritage site of ruined Carthage to get your cultural fix, enjoy the restaurants of lively Tunis, and then lounge on pristine beaches in resorts like Skanes or Hammamet in the full knowledge that those left back home will be shivering in the cold.
Florida
While most tourists enjoying family holidays abroad to destinations such as Orlando visit during the summer school holidays, Florida actually tends to have better weather in the late summer, or even into the autumn. The stifling humidity eases off and leaves you with a more comfortable heat, perfect for enjoying resorts such as Disney World. Florida also tends to be exceedingly cheap at this time, though you have to make sure to account for inclement weather – tropical storms, and even hurricanes, can pop up during this time, but plenty of warning is usually given, and land-fall for these extreme events tends to be very rare.
Australia
Many regions of Oz get unbearably hot during their summer, while any planning on heading down under during July will be disappointed to find they arrive in the middle of an Australian winter. So perhaps the best time to visit is at the end of summer, just as their spring season gets up and running, with this magical land’s exquisite flora coming once again into bloom. Cities like Brisbane, Sydney and Perth offer superb weather at this time of the year, with cool, breezy mornings giving way to a warm mid-day and a hot afternoon. Melbourne stays a little chillier for a bit longer, but the cultural attractions and sedate, laid-back appeal of this hip city makes it a great destination for any time of the year.
John is an experienced travel writer who has penned dozens of articles on how to find the cheapest family holidays abroad.