Summer holidays come with a promise of long days and the thrill of discovering somewhere new. The right destination transforms those weeks off into something extraordinary, whether you crave sun-drenched coastlines or a break from the everyday.
From dramatic seascapes and rich history to island escapes that feel like another world, booking your summer 2025 holiday has never looked so appealing.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Winding roads hug steep cliffs and the scent of lemon trees lingers in the air. The Amalfi Coast is where Italy’s effortless glamour meets breathtaking landscapes.
Positano is the quintessential postcard scene, with its cascading houses and bougainvillaea-covered terraces. Ravello offers a quieter beauty, boasting elegant gardens and sweeping views over the Mediterranean.
In Amalfi itself, start the day with an espresso in Piazza del Duomo before stepping inside the cathedral’s intricate Moorish abbey. When hunger calls, settle into a beachfront trattoria for a plate of fresh seafood pasta and a glass of local Fiano wine.
Take the path from Bomerano to Nocelle – the Sentiero degli Dei, or Path of the Gods. This high-altitude trail rewards every step, rewarding you with staggering views over the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali offers more than just postcard beaches. The island is a rich mix of nature and spirituality, where every day feels like an invitation to experience something new.
Start in Ubud, where jungle-fringed rice terraces and ancient temples provide a striking backdrop for Balinese traditions. Here, you can wake to the sound of gamelan music, spend the morning wandering through the Sacred Monkey Forest, and watch the sunset against the lotus ponds of Saraswati Temple.
Head to the coast for a change of pace, where Canggu’s black-sand beaches attract keen surfers. Uluwatu’s clifftop temples and hidden coves give a wilder feel.
The seafood barbecues at Jimbaran Bay are a must – pick your fish straight from the market stalls before watching it grilled over coconut husks.
To experience the island’s spiritual side, rise before dawn and join a sunrise purification ritual at Tirta Empul, where locals and visitors alike bathe in the sacred spring water.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini’s volcanic origins shaped its striking landscape, with whitewashed villages teetering on the edge of towering cliffs and sapphire waters filling the vast caldera below.
Oia, the island’s most famous village, is best seen in the early morning before the crowds arrive to claim their sunset spots.
Wander its narrow streets, admiring blue-domed churches that contrast against stark white walls. Stop at a café for a Greek coffee and a plate of loukoumades, honey-drizzled doughnuts.
Akrotiri offers a fascinating glimpse into the island’s Minoan past, with remarkably preserved frescoes and buildings buried under volcanic ash for centuries.
If the midday heat demands a swim, head to the selection of unique beaches – Red Beach, with its rust-coloured cliffs, or the black sands of Perissa. End the day with a glass of Assyrtiko wine at a cliffside taverna in Fira, where the caldera glows pink in the evening light.
