You don’t even need to leave the British Isles if the old-fashioned throwback of a ferry into the blue really appeals. The second largest of the Channel Islands, Guernsey, lives – in the nicest possible way – in something of a time-warp, with its small hotels, seafront strolls and gentle atmosphere. And while you won’t necessarily break a sweat in its mid-summer heat (about 20C), the cost of a holiday on its sands won’t break the budget either.
Do it: Channel Islands Direct (0800 640 9058; channelislandsdirect.co.uk) has a nine-night getaway to the three-star Saints Bay hotel, on the south coast of the island at Icart Point, driving across via car-ferry from Poole on July 28, from £880 per person.
Constanta craving in Romania
Immediately to the north, Romania cannot match its neighbor for length of Black Sea coast (“just” the 152 miles), but it deals in the same happy simplicity – hotels of more than sufficient quality, overlooking broad curves of sand, at acceptable prices , and under a sun beaming at around 26C in July and August. The most obvious plan is to aim for Constanta; a seafront city which, founded in 600BC, can claim to be one of Europe’s oldest. More relevantly, it also receives a direct flight from the UK; Wizz Air from Luton.
Do it: A seven-night stay at the four-star Hotel Continental Forum Constanta (on Playa Modern), flying out on July 30, costs from £799 per person (0905 707 000; wizzair.com).
