shoulder

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.

SUNNY STEALS

Sun-drenched European holidays with £1.50 pints and stays from under £9pp

HOL YES

Cheapest summer for holidays in YEARS – with August breaks still on sale for £188pp

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

Jude Bellingham has said the external “noise” around his place in the England team may help him find his best form during the World Cup.

One of the main talking points around selection before England’s first group game against Croatia was whether boss Thomas Tuchel would select Real Madrid’s Bellingham or Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role behind captain Harry Kane.

Bellingham was chosen to start in Dallas and scored England’s crucial third goal just after half-time, with Marcus Rashford adding a fourth late on to complete a 4-2 win.

“For me personally, it was nice to put some of the noise aside and just show my country and my team-mates how committed I am to help us try to win football matches,” the 22-year-old, who is appearing in a fourth consecutive major tournament for England, told BBC Sport.

“To contribute, to help my team and help my country is one of the biggest honours and regardless of the noise outside, that honour doesn’t change for me at all.”

Bellingham conceded that it has been a “bit of a tougher season for me”, with the start of his 2025-26 campaign disrupted by injury, his club side in Spain ending up eight points behind eventual champions Barcelona and his place in the national team under scrutiny.

But Bellingham said he feels “fresh and sharp” heading into the tournament and it was “nice to hear” comments from colleagues such as Jordan Henderson, who said the former Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund player gives England an “X-factor”.

Asked if he has entered the World Cup with added impetus, Bellingham said: “A little bit – I think I’ve got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder, haven’t I?”