Putting pause on strolls down Le Seine, we’re eschewing Paris in
favour of the bucolic hills and white chalk cliffs of Normandy,
easily accessible by the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle. We’re paying homage
to the region’s stinky cheeses by setting off on the Routes des Fromages. With stops at dairy farms and
delis, it’s the gastronomic equivalent of a booze cruise with
Camembert replacing cases of cava. Lockdown had you flexing your

DIY muscles? Hunt down antiques and something to hang on those
freshly painted walls Le Perche, an area known for its flea markets
and bohemian flair. Afterwards, make tracks towards
Trouville-sur-Mer – a little touristy, maybe, but there’s no
denying the “Norman Riviera” beaches possess an air of nostalgic,
seaside charm. Finish off with a trip to Le Musée du Débarquement in Arromanches-les-Bains;
it’s one of the region’s most respected D-Day museums.

Stay: Château de Saint Paterne

As much as we’re mourning the temporary closure of our favourite
Ibizian superclubs, we’re relishing the chance to explore the
White
Isle sans the two-day hangover. Hire a jeep and tick off each
of Ibiza’s best beaches. Start in the north at Portinatx, a former
fishing village that’s blessed with clusters of secluded cloves.
Time your trip to Cala Tarida – on the west coast – with the
sunset, as the views make Café Mambo look like an overly-saturated
webcam snap. Take advantage of the emptier, off-season feel in Cala
Gracioneta. Usually, all (seven) sunbathing spots are taken by
10am, but this year we fancy our chances. Take lunch at the
chiringuito the beach backs on to. Make sure you tack on a few
extra days in Formentera, too. It’s sleepier and shyer than it’s
sibling, so days here are best spent pedalling between coves,
browsing the La Mola hippie market (Wednesday and Sundays) and
figuring out your favourite hammock at Can Tres.

Stay: La Granja
Farmhouse for the food.

Our spring
ski trips may have been cut short, but instead of sulking and
eating our weight in raclette, we’re headed for the hills of
Kandersteg – more specifically to the Gasterntal Valley, where
untouched hiking trails run along the Kander up to Kanderfirn. It’s
less strenuous than a Courtney Black Instagram Live workout – it
takes a mere three hours to complete – and you’ll be rewarded with
the obligatory glacier views at the top. Afterwards, take a trip
out to Lake Blausee. Smaller than the other headline lakes but no
less enchanting, its Monet-blue waters make for a pretty
spectacular picnic backdrop. Legend has it the water here is the
same colour as the eyes of a maiden that died of a broken
heart.

Stay: The Hayloft – partly for its bloom-covered
facade. Yes, we will be asking how to make our balcony window boxes
that beautiful.

When life gives you lemons, you make limoncello… on the shores
of Positano, of course. We presume that your stockpiles of pasta
were gone within the first few weeks and you’re now craving a bowl
of the proper stuff. No problem, Italy’s borders have reopened.
We’re keen to get back and show our support to one of Europe’s
hardest-hit countries so will be stopping off at some of our
favourite
Amalfi Coast haunts. Besides, Aperol at Arienzo Beach
Club is long overdue. Hankering for something more adventurous
than aperitivo? Try Sardinia for it’s wild, rugged sands and superb
hiking trails. Base yourself at Albero Capovolto, it’s a former holiday home
turned B&B.

Stay: Positano’s poster child, Le Sirenuse.

Less Costa del Sol and more Wild West in topography, the
mountainous Teruel province remains one of the lesser-known pockets
of this otherwise sought-after holiday hotspot. Rivers cut through
deep gorges, pine-laden forests cover ravines and medieval villages
lead the way to hot springs and Michelin-star-worthy tapas bars.
It’s beautiful but it’s bloody difficult to get to. You’ll need a
car, a sturdy one, as there’s no motorway from Madrid
(or direct rail service), but herein lies it’s rustic allure.
Potter – literally, the roads are a pot-holed nightmare – along the
province’s capital, Teruel, where a beguiling mishmash of medieval
and neo-Mudéjar architecture awaits. Imagine the modernist
architecture from
Barcelona and stick it next to the Moorish buildings from
Seville
and you’re somewhat there. Still not sold? There are more wine bars
per capita in Teruel than any other Spanish city.

Stay: We’ve been patiently waiting for Torre del Marqués to reopen and are eager to be
the first in.

We’ve long sung the praises of the
Polish Riviera and this summer is no exception. After a
wallet-friendly option for a last-minute getaway, we’ll be
hot-footing it to the Hel Peninsula where you’ll find 35km of
fine-sand beaches backed by beech tree-laden forests. Sidestep the
ritzy Sopot – dubbed the “Polish Monac” – in favour of Rewal. A
decent drive west, it’s a little off-grid, but you’ll be blessed
with the same bleached beaches minus the crowds. Remnants of its
communist past remain, particularly when it comes to bedding down,
and many of the holiday homes were built by the state as vacation
camps for their employers. They can be quite basic but don’t let
this put you off, the simplicity is definitely part of Rewal’s
back-to-nature allure.

Stay: Sleeping six, Pina House is geared up for a reunited getaway
with friends and family.