WHILE some people are concentrating on the summer holidays – now is actually the perfect time to book a break for shoulder season.
The months from September to November are a time for bargains, great weather (in some cases up to 28C) and fewer tourists.
Of course these are more suited to families or couples, as you will have to be travelling outside of the school holidays.
But here are some of the best we’ve rounded up, from Greece to Spain.
Santorini, Greece
The island of Santorini is known for bringing in hoards of tourists during the summer – there are even queues to take pictures but shoulder season sees much fewer tourists.
Stay at the Villa Livadaros which is a family-owned guesthouse in the quaint village of Karterados.
Each room comes with a balcony or terrace and there’s a shared pool for guests too.
A seven-night stay here from London Gatwick to Santorini from October 14-21 starts from £259pp.
Antalya, Turkey
Antalya is full of families during the summer holidays, and massively quietens down in shoulder season.
Most of the major waterparks are open until the end of October too as temperatures can be as high as 26C.
Holidaymakers can have a seven-night break between October 5-12 at the Club Bayar Hotel from just £239pp – and it’s all-inclusive too.
It has a full-service spa, private beach access with modern rooms – it includes return flights to London Gatwick.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Another destination known for scorching summer weather and lots of tourists in peak season is the Amalfi Coast.
But if you wait until October, there are some great deals to be had and temperatures are much milder.
A seven-night stay at the Grand Hotel Moon Valley with return flights Manchester Airport to Naples from October 13-20 starts from £375pp.
It includes bed and breakfast in an Annexe Room, the hotel also has a sun terrace and a swim up bar.
Mahdia, Tunisia
If you want to escape for winter sun, a holiday to Tunisia is a great option as even in October it has highs of up to 28C.
Mahdia is a peaceful coastal city with beaches on the Mediterranean Sea.
The three-star hotel El Mouradi Cap Mahdia sits directly on its own sandy beach with outdoor swimming pools and on-site restaurants.
A seven-night stay here with return flights from London Southend to Enfidha-Hammet from October 12-19 starts from £279pp – and this is all-inclusive too.
Costa Brava, Spain
Spain might not have the high summer temperatures, but it’s still sunny and certainly less busy.
You can stay on the coastal resort town of Malgrat de Mar in Catalonia which has over two miles of Blue Flag beaches.
htop Planamar is a pretty hotel close to the sandy shores with sea views and it has an outdoor swimming pool too.
A seven-night stay here with return flights from London Southend to Barcelona start from September 30 – October 5 starts from £235pp with half-board.
Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
Croatia has beautiful beaches and Old Towns all of which can be explored in mild 20C temperatures during shoulder season.
The Villas Arausana & Antonina is a pretty spot right on the beach with terraces and sunloungers looking over the coast.
It also has an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar and cafe.
A seven-night stay here with return flights from London Stansted to Zadar start from September 29 – October 6 starts from £325pp.
Prices correct at the time of publication