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Ligurian charm, Italy
The town of San Remo on the Ligurian coast, between Genoa and Nice, has the air of a faded grand old lady, a little bit down on her luck but with plenty of dash still on offer. Blessed with the most enticing and charming streets of a medieval old town that meanders upwards in car-free bliss, on the way have lunch at La Ciotola (Via S Stefano 4) where the ravioli is homemade and superb. San Remo has a brilliant market where you can buy anything from essential undies to bagfuls of chilli with the tongue-in-cheek claim that it is meglio del viagra (better than Viagra). Autumn is still warm and sunny and the best beach to try is Tre Ponti, which is where the locals go given that a lot of hotels in Italy bag the best places on the coast for their guests.
Liz Owen Hernandez
Fountains and fab food, Provence
Aix-en-Provence is much more than a base for exploring Provence, and visitors who stick around will be rewarded with a place of abundance to while away languorous late summer days. A coffee on the Cours Mirabeau – a mini Champs Élysées with people-watching par excellence – is best followed by a peaceful walk in the elegant 17th-century Mazarin quarter. Aix is a foodie’s paradise – its daily market is a riot of colour – so pick any pretty sidestreet or fountain-adorned square that takes your fancy for lunch or dinner. The formules at the excellent Grenache are a steal.
Alice
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Guardian Travel readers’ tips
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When in Spain, mooch around a market
When it’s sunny in Spain, it is likely to be sunniest in Murcia. This often overlooked little city (near Alicante) is full of dense, buzzing streets; a flamboyant gothic and baroque cathedral as well as other more restrained churches; a decadently opulent club known as the Royal Casino (which is open for visits); and gentle walks along the River Segura. The Verónicas Market is worth mooching around, and you might even catch a zarzuela (a kind of opera but with more dialogue) in the local theatre. In almost 20 years of visiting, we are happy that the town has remained friendly and low-key, and we were impressed by the very new CaféLab tucked away behind the cathedral, and the Gaia Espacio Gastrónomico which has lots of brands of Spanish vermouth and a sign on the wall for the Camino de Santiago. The Hostal Segura is a friendly budget place to stay, and the Hotel Zenit is excellent for those who want a bit more luxury. And don’t forget the camera – there’s a photo round every corner.
Barbara Forbes
Habsburgs, Ottomans and hot springs
Sarajevo is the most beguiling east-meets-west city where the main street leads from post-second world war communism past the grandeur of the Habsburgs to medieval bazaar. Taste scrumptious baklava at Sarajbosna and try your luck coffee ground-reading after an invigorating Bosnian coffee in the bazaar. Soak up the multicultural history by visiting the exquisite Ottoman-style Svrzo House, the 16th-century synagogue and the traditional Serbian Despić House. Cross the Latin Bridge to learn about the sad end of it during the 1990s in the Ratni war museum. Cool off in one of the hot spring pools of the Ilidža Thermal Riviera, six miles west of the town centre.
Ariela
The lights of Nyon, Switzerland
In the canton of Vaud, Nyon is a bright, charming city between Geneva and Lausanne, overlooking the beautiful Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Must-do activities include renting a pedal boat (with a slide, of course) and lounging around enjoying alpine and Jura views. After drying off, swing by for a gelato at Gelateria Venezia on Rue de Rive. For dinner, we loved Luigia and their tasty pizzas (just make sure to book in advance). We’ve Airbnb’d there and stayed at the excellent apartment hotel Base Nyon.
Emma McCracken
Ancient walls and opera in Tuscany
Lucca is perfect for a late summer escape. We enjoyed walking the ancient walls, which had panoramic views of terracotta rooftops. We later explored Piazza dell’Anfiteatro and dined at Trattoria Da Leo, where the pappardelle al cinghiale (€12) was unforgettable. I’d recommend staying at Palazzo Dipinto, a stylish boutique hotel (doubles from €150 B&B). A highlight was one of the last few performances of the annual Puccini festival (tickets from €20) on the coast at Torre del Lago, half an hour’s drive to the west of Lucca. It’s an enchanting way to enjoy opera in the composer’s birthplace. The area is a beautiful blend of history, culture and relaxation in the sun.
Neil
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Brilliant park cycling in Slovenia’s capital
One of my favourite late summer trips was to Ljubljana. The vibrant old town, with its colourful baroque buildings and the serene Ljubljanica River, offers a peaceful escape. I spent afternoons cycling through the huge, verdant Tivoli Park, exploring the hilltop castle and savouring coffee at riverside cafes. The relaxed atmosphere, warm, late-summer air and blend of nature and culture left a lasting impression on me.
Megan
A vibrant bar scene under the volcano, Sicily
Catania is an underrated city far enough south to have great weather most of the year. We loved it – it’s got culture, a vibrant bar scene and close to oh-so-beautiful Syracuse for a day trip. There’s a huge volcano to keep an eye on too – Mt Etna. The food, though, is the biggest draw – we ate enormous arancini al ragu and ricotta cannoli at Pasticceria Savia. Delizioso!
Michael Guthrie
A city in northern Spain that made us smile
The best places are those we don’t anticipate. Oviedo is sunny for many months, with cool streets for hot days, and cafes that are diverse and relaxing. There’s the brilliant, renovated Museum of Asturian Fine Arts, overlooking the central market, plenty of great street art, shady green spaces, a chance to catch a Real Oviedo game, and, amid the heartwarming architecture, affordable boutique hotels and a statue of Woody Allen. A city which made us smile. And all a short but breathtaking coastal drive from Santander or Bilbao.
Jonathan Bradley
Winning tip: beautiful city beach, Sardinia
Cagliari is often overlooked for the glitzier Sardinian city of Alghero, but it’s just as beautiful – and not as densely packed with tourists. Most British people would consider it warm enough to take a dip at the beautiful city beach, Poetto, until late October. Not all Italians agree, so you’ll find deserted stretches of sand. We lost ourselves in the winding medieval streets of the old town and were absorbed by the gorgeous 13th-century Cagliari Cathedral. We learned about the island’s fascinating prehistory from the Nuragic artefacts at the archaeological museum.
Lauren