Top 10 Last Grasps on Summer
The whole southern hemisphere
It's so big that we decided to make it 1 and 2. If you’ve got the scratch, your best bet it to just summer surf. That is just chase the sun. As the sun goes down on the Northern Hemisphere, things are getting better and better in the South. This is your chance to relive spring for the second time this year, to indulge in summer and then come home just in time to escape winter again. It’s not as hard as it seems, just load up on some working visas for everywhere you’ve ever dreamed of going and hit the road. This gets a double count as the possibilities truly are endless from Australia and New Zealand to South America to Africa to SE Asia. Just flip your world map upside down, point your finger and GO.
Greece
Greece. That’s really all you need. With thousands of individual islands to choose from and tens of thousands of beaches on those islands you’ll be sorted so long as your ticket says Greece. The beauty, the history, the nature, there’s so many reasons to go and none that I can think of to stay where you are.
Morocco
One of the most magnificent places of natural beauty in Morocco is Cascades d’Ouzoud in the Middle Atlas. Here is a place where you can simply sit back and relax. The waterfalls here are still relatively un-commercialized and there are cosy cafes and camping nearby. It’s rustic, but it’s worth it.
Croatia
Of all the Adriatic islands, Mljet in Croatia, may just be the most seductive. Over 72% of the island is covered by forest and the rest is dotted by fields, vineyards and small villages. Mljet National Park occupies the island's western third and includes gentle coves and a pair of saltwater lakes. Most people visit this tranquil island oasis on excursions from Dubrovnik.
Portugal
This is leisure all the way. Start with a two and a half hour boat ride across the ocean to a secluded island of unspoilt beaches. This is one of Europe’s most attractive island paradises – Porto Santo, Portugal. If sun, sand and surf is what you are looking for, you have just found paradise. You can swim all year long in the calm sea with its clear, warm water. Or just stretch out on the fine, golden sands that make up the island.
Spain
The Spanish Island of Ibiza has the countries most sordid and colourful reputation and for a country as sordid and colourful as Spain that’s saying something. This is where you come to party all day and recover in the small coves and stunning beaches that surround the 200km coastline. If you can pull yourself away from the beach towel there’s definitely some amazing tourist attractions as well as a mile long list of celebrities looking for the last bit of sun you were searching for.
Turkey
Surrounded by the sea on all three fronts – the Black Sea to the North, Mediterranean to the South and Aegean to the west – and with over 7000 km of coastline, there’s no shortage of gorgeous beaches to choose from in Turkey. Along the Balck Sea Coast you’ll find intimate sandy beaches. Some of the best include the stretches of Kilyos, here you’ll find not only fantastic beaches but also some of the nicest holiday towns in the region. Head South to the Mediterranean if you’re looking to travel later in the month.
Build your own piece of heaven
If you don’t have the time or money to get away and escape fast approaching winter, you could always stay home and start your own beach party. Build an indoor sandbox, stretch our on your towel under you very own personal sunlamp, play your favourite island music and pull out your trash beach novel. This can tide you over for the whole of the cold months. And when people ask about your great tan you can spin them a yarn about what a great getaway you’ve just come back from.
Germany
The other option of course, is to just accept facts and embrace the coming onslaught of rain and cold. And the best way to do this, of course, is by strapping on your lieder hosen and heading off to Munich, Germany for two weeks of beer worshipping and traditional hearty fare such as sausage, hendl, Kasespatzle and sauerkraut. This is, of course, Oktoberfest!You just can’t beat it. This annual celebration is held 16 days prior to the first Sunday in October with the whold event kicking off by the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg of beer of the festival. O’zapft is!
