Summertime can be quite different in different parts of the world, so it’s no wonder that you want to educate yourself before booking your summer holiday plans. Late summer and autumn is even more unpredictable, especially if you’re looking at Europe. There is no need to worry though, as you now have the guide for the perfect vacation.
Cyprus
An island in the Mediterranean Sea, full of places to relax and to explore. What could be better than this? The answer is simple: nothing.
If you want to go somewhere in september, october, hell even november, then Cyprus is the perfect option. It’s quite warm in the country all around the year and because not many people get the idea travel at this time of the year you will find it to be a cheap destination too. You will still be able to sunbathe and swim, except you won’t be at risk for a sunburn.
The only downside is that many people live off of the summer traffic and use it as a way to make more money than usual. This results in citizens creating seasonal businesses which won’t be open once the autumn months hit. This might be a bit of a bummer for you, since you will likely need to travel further away from the beaches for an authentic food experience or to do your shopping, but travelling out of season comes at a price.
Greece
Greece is slightly to the north of Cyprus but it’s still quite warm around the late summer sun. The weather is a bit unpredictable though, so you will need to calculate that into your plans. Things might not go your way and being so close to the sea can create some heavy winds and rains.
However, the huge benefit of going to Greece is that you don’t necessarily need good weather to have fun. There are plenty of museums, galleries and historical places you can visit to get a good taste of the culture. If you’re a person who is into Greek mythology or architecture then you won’t necessarily need the beaches to relax.
Or if you’re just looking for a good time then it might be worth going to some nightclubs. Greece has an amazing night life and the people there know how to party exceptionally well. If you’re an early bird who wakes up at around 6 AM there is a good chance that you will see that that is exactly the time when a lot of people start heading home from parties. So for a good kind of all-nighter Greece is perfect. You must try ouzo too, a greek spirit that tastes of liquorice and herbs. It will make sure your night starts out the best way possible.
Spain
Now, Spain is a gorgeous country that is famous for its nice weather. However, if you are looking to sunbathe all day by the beach then this time of year might not be the best for it. The temperature avarages to be around 21 degrees celsius or 70 degrees fahrenheit during the day, which is great for an hour dip in the sea but you will quickly start getting cold if you only rely on the sun. It is most to the north out of all these countries after all.
However, any foodie will enjoy themselves in Spain. It’s not discussed as often but Spanish cuisine is one of a kind and rich in seafood. Lots of herbs, garlic. You might want to dedicate a full day to just trying out the food, trust me, it’s worth it. If you want the best experience skip the main roads though. They are the busiest, you will need to wait a longer time for your dishes to be made and it’s less likely to be authentic. To get the absolute best either ask around from locals or wander into the smaller streets and pick a mom and pop type of restaurant.
It’s also still warm enough to wander around in a T-shirt by foot and explore your destination area. This will give you a chance to appreciate the vibe of the country and just look at the architecture. It is not everyone’s thing but Spain will change that.
Roman culture is still preserved in many areas, so you will be able to find museums and galleries all around regarding the topic, if that is something that you like. Culture is a very important matter in Spain, make sure to check out these types of places because not many countries have this much pride in their identity.
Turkey
Since Turkey is located in the southern edge of Europe you can bet that it will still be very warm at the end of autumn. Travelling here is the perfect idea if you didn’t have time for a beach-and-sunbathing kind of vacation and want to treat yourself to one out of the season.
Now, you might have some second thoughts about this destination, especially if you’re a woman. Turkey gets a bad rep sometimes but it is completely safe for female travellers, even if you are going alone. As long as you use your common sense you should be completely fine.
Once again, the cuisine is worth mentioning. Turkish food is a mix between Balkan, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and all kinds of other cuisine. Because of this, you need to try it if you want to have the experience of a lifetime. Just be careful if you are on a diet, since this kind of food is absolutely loaded with carbs.
Istanbul is the perfect destination within the country. Most people here speak English, are very accepting of tourists and you will have a great time here. It’s also filled with sights that you must see, plus the beach is not too far away either.
