Life's a beach: pick your next sun, sea and sand break

Simon Calder's Travel Week

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE: £1 FOR 3 MONTHS May 14, 2023 View in browser SIMON CALDER'S TRAVEL WEEK Grab your bucket and spade: it's time to hit the beach. Private island vibes on Praia de Rodas in the Cies Islands, Spain Summer is fast on the approach, making the prospect of sun (hopefully), sea and sand all the more enticing. If you fancy a last-minute taste of the beach next month, have a look at this list of the best holidays to book for June, including a Croatian cruise and a Sicilian sojourn. Closer to home, we've identified the best UK beaches to plan a trip to this summer, while this compilation of great-value, all-inclusive holidays booking now could see you top up your tan – and leave the wallet at home. Looking to soak up the sun far from the madding crowd? Check out these lesser-known European destinations for a beach break with all-but-guaranteed peace and quiet. Top deck Slovenia's narrow strip of shoreline has abundant appeal . The main beach resort, Portoroz (left) has a lovely setting and ambience, with the Venetian-influenced port of Piran within walking distance. They are most easily accessed via Trieste in Italy. LJUBLJANA TOP 10 Paris plages Over the summer, Paris becomes a seaside resort. Since 2002, artificial beaches have been created on the banks of the Seine. This year the thousands of tonnes of sands, decorated with bars and fitness areas, open to sun-seeking city-breakers 9 July to 21 August. PARIS WITH KIDS  Question of the week   Question of the week We're looking for a beach holiday with a proper city attached. What's your choice? If you count Gibraltar as a city (I do), the sands on the eastern side of the Rock are excellent. In southern Italy, Cagliari (at the southern tip of Sardinia) and Naples have reasonable beaches close to the city centre. So do the western fringes of Portugal's second city, Porto. But my favourites are all in Spain: Barcelona, whose compact platja was created out of almost nothing; Valencia, where an excellent beach is a tram ride away from the centre; and best of all, Malaga. The city's playa, La Malagueta, is fringed with a string of chiringuitos – fairly rudimentary outdoor cafes where you can watch your fish being grilled while you sip a beer, or order an extravagant helping of paella. Almost everyone who flies into Malaga airport heads away from the city; I always aim for the centre.   Best hotels in Malaga for beachfront holidays   If water temperature is not a prime concern, the UK has plenty to offer. The finest city-beach combination I have found is Aberdeen. The "granite city" in northeast Scotland has a good range of cultural and indulgent attractions as well as a lovely long, wide arc of beach. Swansea in south Wales is a strong second. And Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with easy access by Metro to Whitley Bay (with its exotic and opulent "Spanish City" pavilion) and other good beaches, takes third place. Get Corfu flights and hotel from £289pp The deal, which includes seven days in a hotel, is part of the British Airways Europe sale Up to 20% off a Croatia sailing adventure Sail on a private yacht along the Dalmation Coast from Dubrovnik to Split on this summer holiday Enjoy a short break on the Isle of Mull  Offer includes two nights from £379 with dinner, breakfast, afternoon tea, spa experience and gift £99 £20 for 1 year ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more SUBSCRIBE NOW Travel guide Secret Balearic Islands An insider's guide to Spain's lesser-known Menorca and Formentera, including where to stay, eat, sunbathe and swim. GET INSPIRED FAQs What do I need to travel to Spain? The latest entry requirements, from passport validity to visa-free travel restrictions. READ RULES Malta is famously sun-drenched for more than 300 days of the year and is home to a wide variety of beaches that'll satisfy any visitor Lucie Grace Malta expert Hotels Santorini stays The best hotels on this idyllic Greek isle, from romantic retreats with plunge pools to luxury lodges on cliff tops. BOOK NOW Under the spotlight Malta's best beaches Dive in to seven unbeatable swimming, sunbathing and strolling spots on this European island nation. 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