MISSING constant sunshine? We were all spoiled with one of Britain’s best ever summers.
And if you headed abroad, you’ll have had even more chances of topping up the tan.
But autumn is here and soon we’ll be longing to be back in bikinis and shorts.
TRISHA HARBORD picks a Top Ten of destinations where it is still hot and sunny all day long.
Miami
30C — Sunshine hours: 9
THE beaches ooze glitz and glamour and the city is a magnet for celebs.
It is packed with great restaurants and bars, activities and shopping and a perfect destination for a short break.
Swim with dolphins at the Seaquarium or take a Segway tour of the prom.
GO: Three nights’ room-only at the Eden Roc, including BA flights from Heathrow on Sept 17 is from £545. Other dates available. See ba.com/edenroc.
Dominican Republic
28C — Sunshine hours: 9
RATHER than deciding which Caribbean island to visit, go for one of the best hotels – such as celebs favourite Casa De Campo Resort on the Dominican Republic.
Choose from double rooms or three to five-bedroom villas with private pools overlooking the sea.
Facilities include a spa, golf courses, watersports, horse-riding, tennis and clay shooting.
Head to Altos de Chavón in the countryside for shops, museums, art galleries and even an amphitheatre.
GO: Seven nights’ room-only aet th Casa De Campo, including flights from Gatwick on Sept 20 is from £818pp, all-inclusive £1,774pp. See loveholidays.com.
Algarve
29C — Sunshine hours: 9
FOR a short-haul, good-value week in the sun, Lagos on the Algarve’s west coast is great.
There’s something for all – from an historic centre to shops, a harbour, beaches and a buzzing nightlife.
Visit the 17th-century Bandeira Fort, Santa Antonio church and the museum, Mercado dos Escravos.
Walk the paths above the Ponta da Piedade, beautiful yellow and orange sandstone cliffs, or take a boat trip to view the sea life around the caves, arches and grottos.
The 4* Aqualuz Suite Hotel Apartments are an ideal base.
GO: Seven nights room-only in a one-bedroom apartment, including flights from Leeds-Bradford on Sept 28, is from £345pp, or Luton from £368. See loveholidays.com
Dubai
36C — Sunshine hours: 10
THIS glitzy hotspot has superb hotels and excellent service, great shops and attractions.
Dominating the city’s skyline is the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, at 828 metres high.
The vast Dubai Mall next door has 1,200 shops and 150 restaurants plus a theme park, ice rink, aquarium and underwater zoo.
Take an Al Fahidi neighbourhood heritage tour including the souks or a desert safari.
GO: Seven nights’ half-board at 4* Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa, including flights from Gatwick on Sept 25 from £575pp. Find out more at awayholidays.co.uk.
Lanzarote
28C — Sunshine hours: 8
THIS has such a contrasting landscape, from black volcanic gravel to glorious sands.
See the incredible Timanfaya National Park, featuring more than 350 volcano cones created from eruptions in the 1730s.
Find sandy beaches at Puerto del Carmen, for swimming and sunbathing choose Playa Grande and for diving and parasailing, Playa Chica.
A villa in quiet Puerto Calero is a good base.
GO: Seven nights’ self-catering in a four-star, three-bed villa with pool from Sept 22 is from £683pp at novasol.co.uk. Gatwick to Alicante flights from £83. See novasol.co.uk.
Bali
31C — Sunshine hours: 8
THIS beautiful island is ringed with beaches and is a popular spot for surfers.
Great for hikers and walkers too, it is home to rainforests and an abundance of wildlife, majestic mountains, temples, stunning waterfalls and lush rice fields.
Head there after a three-night break in Singapore, for every modern attraction wrapped in greenery.
GO: Three nights’ room-only at 4* Miramar Hotel, Singapore, and seven nights B&B at 4*plus Melia Bali, including Heathrow flights in November is from £1,159pp; travelbag.co.uk.
Majorca
27C — Sunshine hours: 10
THE Spanish island boasts mountains, pine forests and Blue Flag beaches.
Hop on a vintage train from Palma to Soller for great views.
Calvia, below the Tramuntana mountains, is a good base for hiking, cycling and golf.
GO: Seven nights’ room-only at 4* Sol House The Studio in Calvia, including Manchester flights on Sept 22 is from £385pp.
See easyjet.com.
Cape Verde
29C — Sunshine hours: 7
A CLUSTER of ten islands off the west coast of Africa make up this year-round sun spot.
The islands of Sal and Boa Vista, with gorgeous beaches, are perfect for a fly and flop.
Try one of the watersports off Santa Maria beach or take a boat ride to see whales and dolphins.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Clubhotel RIU Funana, incl Bristol flights on Sept 26, is from £940pp.
See tui.co.uk.
Costa Brava
25C — Sunshine hours: 8
FOR a great value break with or without kids, the Spanish Costas take some beating – with prices still lower than many other European hotspots.
So, if you need to wait until October half-term to chase the sun, the 3* Sorra Daurada Hotel on the Costa Brava ticks all the boxes.
It is situated close to miles of beaches on the Mediterranean coast of Malgrat de Mar, has family rooms, a pool, splash park and restaurant.
Relax on a sunbed in a beach bar, try one of the many watersports or take a walk in the Parc Francesc Macia, with its has giant toy figures and a play park.
Highlights of Malgrat de Mar include the 16th century Church of St Nicolau, known as the Cathedral of the Coast, because of its size.
For a day trip, take a train to Barcelona, and in under two hours you could be sitting in a cafe on the city’s famous Las Ramblas.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Hotel Sorra Daurada, including flights on dates departing for half-term week, October 22 to 26, from £479 per adult, £299 per child (aged 2-11). See icelolly.com.
most read in travel
Morocco
29C — Sunshine hours: 11
THE Morrocan city of Agadir, in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas mountains, has the longest hours of sunshine in our Top 10 breaks and you can fly there in less than four hours.
The beautiful, tranquil beach, lapped by warm waters, is perfect for swimming and snorkelling and easily reached from the traditional three-star Aferni Hotel in the cultural district, which has a secluded pool terrace.
Join the locals shopping in the colourful Souk El Had, be sure to bring home spices, and see the history of the city at the museum, Memoire d’Agadir.
Hike or take a bus tour to Agadir’s oldest district, the 16th century Kasbah, sitting on top of a hill giving fantastic panoramic views.
Sand buggy and camel rides, horse-riding and boat, sailing, walking and cycling trips are all available.
At night, the promenade is buzzing with restaurants, cafes and bars – food is delicious and reasonably priced – and the beating sound of a nightclub is never far away.
GO: Seven nights’ half-board at the Hotel Aferni, including Gatwick flights on Sept 25, is from £302.
See sunshine.co.uk.
- See today’s best travel deals
- Get email alerts of the best deals straight to your inbox