My favorite late summer time metropolis break in southern Europe: readers’ ideas

Ligurian allure, Italy

The city of San Remo on the Ligurian coast, between Genoa and Good, has the air of a pale grand previous girl, just a little bit down on her luck however with loads of sprint nonetheless on supply. Blessed with essentially the most engaging and charming streets of a medieval previous city that meanders upwards in car-free bliss, on the best way have lunch at La Ciotola (Through S Stefano 4) the place the ravioli is do-it-yourself and very good. San Remo has a superb market the place you should buy something from important underwear to bagfuls of chilli with the tongue-in-cheek declare that it’s meglio del viagra (higher than Viagra). Autumn remains to be heat and sunny and the perfect seaside to attempt is Tre Ponti, which is the place the locals go provided that a variety of lodges in Italy bag the perfect locations on the coast for his or her company.
Liz Owen Hernandez

Fountains and fab meals, Provence

Aix-en-Provence is rather more than a base for exploring Provence, and guests who stick round can be rewarded with a spot of abundance to whereas away languorous late summer time days. A espresso on the Cours Mirabeau – a mini Champs Élysées with people-watching par excellence – is greatest adopted by a peaceable stroll within the elegant Seventeenth-century Mazarin quarter. Aix is a foodie’s paradise – its day by day market is a riot of color – so decide any fairly sidestreet or fountain-adorned sq. that takes your fancy for lunch or dinner. The formules on the glorious Grenache are a steal.
Alice

When in Spain, mooch round a market

When it’s sunny in Spain, it’s more likely to be sunniest in Murcia. This usually ignored little metropolis (close to Alicante) is stuffed with dense, buzzing streets; a flamboyant gothic and baroque cathedral in addition to different extra restrained church buildings; a decadently opulent membership often called the Royal On line casino (which is open for visits); and delicate walks alongside the River Segura. The Verónicas Market is value mooching round, and also you may even catch a zarzuela (a type of opera however with extra dialogue) within the native theatre. In nearly 20 years of visiting, we’re blissful that the city has remained pleasant and low-key, and we had been impressed by the very new CaféLab tucked away behind the cathedral, and the Gaia Espacio Gastrónimoco which has numerous manufacturers of Spanish vermouth and an indication on the wall for the Camino de Santiago. The Hostal Segura is a pleasant funds place to remain, and the Resort Zenit is superb for individuals who desire a bit extra luxurious. And don’t neglect the digicam – there’s a photograph spherical each nook.
Barbara Forbes

Habsburgs, Ottomans and sizzling springs

Sarajevo is essentially the most beguiling east-meets-west metropolis the place the principle road leads from post-second world conflict communism previous the grandeur of the Habsburgs to medieval bazaar. Style delicious baklava at Sarajbosna and check out your luck espresso ground-reading after an invigorating Bosnian espresso within the bazaar. Take in the multicultural historical past by visiting the beautiful Ottoman-style Svrzo Home, the Sixteenth-century synagogue and the normal Serbian Despić Home. Cross the Latin Bridge to study in regards to the unhappy finish of it in the course of the Nineteen Nineties within the Ratni conflict museum. Cool off in one of many sizzling spring swimming pools of the Ilidža Thermal Riviera, six miles west of the city centre.
Ariela

The lights of Nyon, Switzerland

Within the canton of Vaud, Nyon is a shiny, charming metropolis between Geneva and Lausanne, overlooking the attractive Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Should-do actions embrace renting a pedal boat (with a slide, in fact) and lounging round having fun with alpine and Jura views. After drying off, swing by for a gelato at Gelateria Venezia on Rue de Rive. For dinner, we liked Luigia and their tasty pizzas (simply be certain to e-book prematurely). We’ve Airbnb’d there and stayed on the glorious condo resort Base Nyon.
Emma McCracken

Historic partitions and opera in Tuscany

Lucca is ideal for a late summer time escape. We loved strolling the historic partitions, which had panoramic views of terracotta rooftops. We later explored Piazza dell’Anfiteatro and dined at Trattoria Da Leo, the place the pappardelle al cinghiale (€12) was unforgettable. I’d suggest staying at Palazzo Dipinto, a classy boutique resort (doubles from €150 B&B). A spotlight was one of many previous few performances of the annual Puccini pageant (tickets from €20) on the coast at Torre del Lago, half an hour’s drive to the west of Lucca. It’s a fascinating solution to take pleasure in opera within the composer’s birthplace. The world is a lovely mix of historical past, tradition and rest within the solar.
Neil

Good park biking in Slovenia’s capital

Certainly one of my favorite late summer time journeys was to Ljubljana. The colourful previous city, with its vibrant baroque buildings and the serene Ljubljanica River, affords a peaceable escape. I spent afternoons biking by the massive, verdant Tivoli Park, exploring the hilltop fortress and savouring espresso at riverside cafes. The relaxed environment
, heat, late-summer air and mix of nature and tradition left an enduring impression on me.
Megan

A vibrant bar scene below the volcano, Sicily

Catania is an underrated metropolis far sufficient south to have nice climate a lot of the 12 months. We liked it – it’s received tradition, a vibrant bar scene and near oh-so-beautiful Syracuse for a day journey. There’s an enormous volcano to keep watch over too – Mt Etna. The meals, although, is the most important draw – we ate huge arancini al ragu and ricotta cannoli at Pasticceria Savia. Delizioso!
Michael Guthrie

A metropolis in northern Spain that made us smile

One of the best locations are these we don’t anticipate. Oviedo is sunny for a lot of months, with cool streets for warm days, and cafes which can be numerous and stress-free. There’s the sensible, renovated Museum of Asturian Fantastic Arts, overlooking the central market, loads of nice road artwork, shady inexperienced areas, an opportunity to catch a Actual Oviedo sport, and, amid the heartwarming structure, inexpensive boutique lodges and a statue of Woody Allen. A metropolis which made us smile. And all a brief however breathtaking coastal drive from Santander or Bilbao.
Jonathan Bradley

Successful tip: lovely metropolis seaside, Sardinia

Cagliari is usually ignored for the glitzier Sardinian metropolis of Alghero, but it surely’s simply as lovely – and never as densely full of vacationers. Most British individuals would contemplate it heat sufficient to take a dip on the lovely metropolis seaside, Poetto, till late October. Not all Italians agree, so that you’ll discover abandoned stretches of sand. We misplaced ourselves within the winding medieval streets of the previous city and had been absorbed by the attractive Thirteenth-century Cagliari Cathedral. We realized in regards to the island’s fascinating prehistory from the Nuragic artefacts on the archaeological museum.
Lauren