turquoise

FANCY some Maldives scenery this summer but don’t fancy the long haul flight or the pricey holiday?

You can also experience a same-style sitting on a small uninhabited island in the Mediterranean.

Suluada – which means ‘water island’ – is often dubbed the ‘Turkish Maldives’ thanks to its pristine blue waters (caused by microorganisms called foraminifera) and stunning beaches.

The unique island used to be volcanic and while the island has no restaurants, bars or hotels, it is a great spot to explore bays and relax on the beach.

And if you are lucky, you might even spot some turtles visiting.

Instead of the long-haul flight, you could fly to Antalya which takes between four and four-and-a-half hours.

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And while the island is a great day trip – be warned it is a little difficult to get to.

From Antalya, you can book onto a £11 per person day trip with GetYourGuide to the island, which includes a pick- up from your hotel in the city, the two-hour drive to Adrasan Port and then the boat trip across to the island.

As part of the day trip, you’ll get to explore the island by boat for an hour before hopping off for a couple of hours to swim in the water and chill on the beach.

And it is not the only pretty spot you’ll get to see on the excursion – the boat will also take you to another hidden bay on the island later in the day.

Once back onboard you’ll be given lunch before sailing back to Adrasan.

Don’t worry – most of the boats have loos, so the lack of facilities on the island shouldn’t be an issue.

This boat trip is one of many on GetYourGuide, with others taking place at sunset instead with dinner included or you could book onto one from either Kemer or Belek, if you aren’t staying in Antalya.

Different tours will also provide different things, so make sure to check before booking whether you need to bring your own snorkelling gear and food.

One recent guest said: “This excursion was, without a doubt, my favourite of the trip!

“I absolutely loved the boat tour and was particularly impressed by the swimming stops, which were definitely the highlight for me.

“The boat itself was perfect, with plenty of comfortable seating, sunbathing areas, and a bar.

“I also have to mention the lunch selection, which was by far the best I experienced during my stay.

“It was an absolute delight from start to finish.”

Flights to Antalya in June cost from around £50 per way and if you are looking for a hotel, there are lots of different options.

For example you could stay at the Crowne Plaza by the beach, with both an indoor and outdoor pool, from £109 per night.

OUR Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in some of the most popular holiday destinations – as well as some lesser-known areas.

This week we’re shining a spotlight light on Kotor Bay in Montenegro, one of Europe’s most spectacular yet underrated seaside escapes.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited Montenegro.

She said: “The country’s coastal resorts are all stunning, sitting on the turquoise waters.

“But Kotor Bay is a must visit – even if just for a quick stroll around the town.

“One of the most unusual spots is the Kotor Cats Museum, based on the many animals that roam the streets.”

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MUST SEE/DO

Kotor Old Town is the bay’s beating heart, with cobbled alleys, Venetian palaces and fortress walls.

Then a short walk along the waterfront towards Dobrota takes you past a public lido, stone swimming platforms and little cafés right on the water – a calm stretch that’s also one of the safest spots in the bay for an easy sea swim.

A short hop around the bay, Perast is impossibly picturesque, with its baroque houses and tiny islets.

From the harbour, small boats take about ten minutes to reach Our Lady of the Rocks, the postcard-pretty church sitting on its own artificial island.

The historic Ladder of Kotor rises directly behind the Old Town – a zig-zag mule trail with big views the higher you go.

Or head further inland to Lovcen National Park, where the road climbs towards the Njego Mausoleum and its 360-degree mountain panorama.

The Vrmac Ridge trail, between Kotor and neighbouring Tivat Bay, is another great option, an old military road with superb views over both sides of the coast.

Tour operator Untravelled Paths can fix up guided trips taking in everything from honey farms to white water rafting on the Tara river.

HIDDEN GEM

One of Montenegro’s quirkiest experiences awaits at the Underwater Kraken Wine Cellar.

This unique winery ages its bottles underwater for a flavour like nothing on land. Bottles are lowered roughly 20 metres to the seabed in metal cages and left to age for about a year.

Travellers can join a guided dive to racks of barnacle-covered bottles on the seabed, then sample the results back on shore.

BEST VIEW

The bar Monte 1350 crowns the upper station of the new Kotor-Lovcen cable car, its terrace looking straight down over the bay and out towards the Adriatic.

Visitors can sip a cold drink while watching the sunlight shift across the bay or stay to catch the sunset.

RATED RESTAURANT

Galion is Kotor’s standout dining spot, with one of the most romantic waterfront settings in Montenegro.

The glass-walled restaurant juts out over the water, giving diners views of the bay while they enjoy fresh seafood and local wines.

Perfect for a special evening without the hefty prices of other Med hotspots.

BEST BAR

Evergreen Jazz Club is a cosy, dimly-lit spot with exposed brick walls and live music ranging from acoustic sets and blues to Balkan fusion.

Its great-value drinks are enjoyed by friendly locals and travellers.

HOTEL PICK

Klinci Village Resort on Lustica peninsula is a peaceful spot with rustic charm, sea views and Montenegrin hospitality, with rooms from around £80 per night.

For something more budget-friendly, Hotel Vardar in Kotor offers comfortable rooms and a prime location near the Old Town from around £60 per night.

This location is the perfect day trip from London as you can enjoy the colourful coastline, admire the turquoise waters and hop on board a chairlift with the most breathtaking views

Finding something exciting to do at the weekend or as a day trip can be a real challenge. You may have already ticked off village named the “prettiest in England” or explored another which is untouched with no new houses built since 1600s.

But now if you’re tempted to head down south, there’s the “most breathtaking” ride in England that promises absolutely spectacular scenery. This destination truly has everything – from turquoise waters to a vibrant coastline which feels completely “unreal”. One content creator recently documented his day trip to the Isle of Wight, which is surprisingly straightforward to reach from London.

Samual told his TikTok followers: “I think I’ve found the most breathtaking ride in England.”

In his caption, he continued: “The chair lift at The Needles on the Isle of Wight is honestly one of the most breathtaking rides I’ve experienced.

“Gliding down the cliffs at Alum Bay with views of the famous Needles cliffs, turquoise water and colourful coastline feels unreal. This is the perfect day trip from London.”

How to get to the Isle of Wight:

If you’re travelling from London, you’ll have to take a South Western Railway train to Portsmouth Harbour, which takes around 2 hours. Next you’ll need to hop on board the ferry to Ryde Pier Head, a journey of roughly 22 minutes.

Any other areas of the UK will require you to drive down to Portsmouth before you can take the ferry. Meanwhile, a journey in the car might take a little longer, in some cases around 3-4 hours depending on what area you’re leaving from.

What to do in the Isle of Wight:

The island boasts a wealth of attractions, including iconic landmarks such as Alum Bay and The Needles. You can also travel back in time at Carlsbrooke Castle, where King Charles I was held prisoner, or hop aboard the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

For family entertainment, marvel at 300,000 specimens at the Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown, or let the kids run wild at the UK’s oldest theme park at Blackgang Chine.

Round off your visit by tackling the breathtaking coastal trails, wandering through the lush surroundings of Ventnor Botanic Garden, or simply soaking up the sun at Compton Beach.

ONE MAGICAL spot in Dorset is being compared to a Greek island due to its bright blue water.

The Blue Pool in Wareham, Dorset, is an expansive lake on a 300 acre estate.

Commenting on TripAdvisor, one visitor said: “Utterly peaceful and serene, with that surreal feeling that you’re on holiday somewhere in Greece, we fell in love with the amazing views of the blue pool.”

Dating back to the 17th century, The Blue Pool is over nine metres deep and was originally a hand-quarried clay pit.

Clay extracted from the pool was then used to make ceramics.

However, in the 19th century, the pool was abandoned and subsequent rain filled it.

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Though, this is when the magic of the pool appeared, as the water appeared a bright turquoise colour.

The reason for this was due to light bouncing off of the clay particles in the water.

The pool then reopened to the public in 1925 and since has been a top spot for tourists.

Despite looking like a tropical paradise, there are no fish in the lake and you cannot swim in the pool.

But there is a good trail for families to explore, where you can spot hand-crafted enchanted doors and a play area with bridges and balance beams.

At the edge of The Blue Pool there is also the UK’s longest rope bridge, which stretches 50 metres and is around 10 metres off the ground.

For kids who love animals, the site is home to Iron Age pigs which visitors can feed each day at 1:30pm for just £3 per person.

You might even spot peacocks roaming as well.

During holidays, the park also runs different events such as an illumination trail at Christmas and pumpkin carving at Halloween.

After a day of exploring, visitors can head to the 1930s Art Deco tearooms for afternoon tea from £7.50 per person, a drink or even locally made Purbeck ice cream.

Make sure to pop to the toilet before you leave as well, as they won the Loo of the Year award several years in a row.

The Blue Pool costs £9.75 per person to visit and is dog-friendly too.

And if you want to extend your time in the local area, you can head to Dorset Adventure Park down the road, with an inflatable water park and mud trail obstacle course.

The beach isn’t too far away either, with Worbarrow Bay just a 15-minute drive away.

The long, pebble beach is a quieter spot on the Jurassic Coast, especially compared to its popular neighbours – Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.

For somewhere to stay, you could head to East Creech Farm Campsite, which has pitches as well as camping pods, a cottage and a farmhouse.

At the campsite, there’s also an onsite tearoom for some freshly baked cakes.

And thanks to the campsite being on a working farm, you can expect to see sheep, goats, donkeys, rhea, chickens, horses, ponies and ducks around.

A tent pitch costs from £22.50 per night and the camping pods cost from £75 per night.

The hidden gem offers a unique blend of charm reminiscent of a Greek island

For Brits dreaming of a Mediterranean escape but keen to stay on home turf, a hidden treasure tucked away in Cornwall could be the ideal answer. Nestled along the stunning south coast, Polperro boasts a distinctive mix of charm and tranquillity that feels far more like Greece than your typical Cornish fishing village.

According to experts at Park Holidays: “With whitewashed cottages and boats bobbing in the tiny harbour, Polperro feels more like a tucked-away Greek island than a Cornish fishing village.”

Framed by towering cliffs and lush greenery, the village enjoys a breathtaking backdrop to its peaceful bay. What truly makes Polperro stand out, however, is its unspoilt beach, which on bright sunny days appears to take on the colours of the Aegean Sea, turning an “Aegean shade of turquoise”.

It’s this winning combination of scenery and serenity that makes Polperro such a coveted destination for those seeking a taste of the Mediterranean without ever boarding a plane, reports the Express.

As the experts note: “Narrow, winding streets lead to cafés and shops with serious Santorini charm.”

While souvlaki and baklava may not feature on any local menus, the village’s wonderful selection of fish and chip shops and ice cream parlours offers a thoroughly British yet equally delightful alternative to Greece’s beloved tavernas.

For those with a passion for both history and the great outdoors, Polperro delivers on all fronts, with its rich maritime heritage proudly on display at its lively harbour, where local vessels have dropped anchor for centuries.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Polperro was a bustling hub for pilchard fishing and smuggling. According to Holiday Cottages Polperro, “pilchards were caught in huge numbers by Polperro Gaffers, large gaff-rigged boats of which there were once 40 operating out of the harbour.”

“The fish once caught were processed in the village and this provided work for many women and children. There were three factories by the harbour involved in this and here the pilchards were salted and then cured.”

Stunning coastal walks along the surrounding clifftops offer breathtaking panoramas of the sea below, with the famous South West Coast Path weaving directly through the village itself.

What makes Polperro all the more attractive is how conveniently situated it is within Cornwall. Just a short drive from well-loved spots such as Fowey and Looe, it serves as an ideal base from which to explore the wider region.