After two summers that can only be described as damp squibs, most of us have enough saved Instagram posts, pinned Pinterest images and skyscanner searches to fill several ring binders’ worth of “holiday inspo”.
As such, our historic “go-to” destinations seem somewhat basic. The fluorescent lights of Ibiza’s old town seem passé and yes, we know it is completely pedestrianised, but it is time to move on from Hydra.
This year, change things up. Step away from the madding crowd and pick up an atlas, or maybe just Google Maps, and explore the new hotspots in Europe and beyond.
Forget Portofino… try Portopalo di Capo Passero, Sicily
A sleepy Sicilian town famous for its seafood, tomatoes and little else is not where you’d expect one of the greatest rockers of all time to have holed up during lockdown. But it was in Portopalo that Mick Jagger, 78, decamped with his 34-year-old American ballerina partner Melanie Hamrick — and their five-year-old child Deveraux Octavian Basil Jagger — in the dark days of 2020. He chose the palatial 18th century villa of Sicilian aristocrat Prince Lucio Bonaccorsi before sealing the deal on his own sprawling beachfront pad overlooking the glistening Ionian Sea. The cool crowd head to nearby Noto, a Baroque town which is drawing in a bohemian set of artists and designers — including French power-architect Jacques Garcia (famous for NoMad in New York and Hotel Costes in Paris) who has masterfully converted a 17th century monastery into an exquisite escape. Head to Caffe Sicilia which was voted the best bar in Italy a few years ago to knock back its famous peach and basil granita. Stay at Seven Rooms Villadorata, a former home of the Principe di Villadorata.
Forget St Tropez… try Marseille
If you like organic wine and have been to Cafe Cecilia, this is the place for you. Unlike the Hackney Riviera, here you’ll find secret beach coves, verdant national parks and good weather. Despite its proximity to boujis Cannes, in Marseille’s Vieux Port you’re more likely to stumble across fishermen beheading sea bream than footballer’s popping bottles. But this is part of the city’s charm. What Cannes or St Tropez have in glamour, Marseille trebles in authenticity.
Forget Chanel loafers, instead pack your walking boots and hike to the calanques (cliffs) in the national park. The limestone cliffs and forest beneath hide a labyrinth of tiny pebbled beaches that are only accessible by kayak or a steep walk along lavender-lined trails. In the evenings the city comes to life with the smells of frying garlic, paper-rolled cigarettes and the sound of jazz emanating out of myriad war-era bars. You cannot visit Marseille without tasting the local bouillabaisse. Head to Chez Madie Les Galinettes for a bowl of fragrant fish stew, or, for something a little more refined, make a reservation at Chez Michel — the Michelin-starred seafood restaurant is the stuff of local legend, so book ahead!
Forget Marfa… try Todos Santos, Mexico
The Mexican state of Baja is the home of Cabo, the spring break haunt of Californian teens looking to sample their first drop (or litre) of alcohol. But, if you venture further afield you’ll find that Baja is ecologically diverse and scenically jaw-dropping. Picture mile upon mile of cactus-studded sand dunes opening out onto a dramatic crescent of aquamarine ocean, undisturbed apart from the occasional spurt of water signalling the presence of a passing whale.
Head to the west coast and stay in the white-brick town of Todos Santos, famed for its artisanal market and vibrant art scene. Adventurous spirits can take a short taxi from the town centre to Playa Pescadero where surfers and sunbathers gather to catch the daily waves and sip margaritas while watching the sunset. An hour’s hike through the dunes takes you to Hotel San Cristóbal, a pastel-tiled, white-washed Sixties-inspired eco-hotel, sitting completely alone at the end of Punta Lobos beach. It is the first international outpost by Texan hotelier Liz Lambert, who is responsible for designing some of the chicest properties in Marfa and Austin. Expect to see the usual mix of in the know fashion influencers and LA art crowds.
Forget Marrakech... try Essaouira, Morocco
Nestled on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouirais a smorgasbord of white-washed stone and royal blue door frames, shutters and moored boats that bob like sardines against the port. Made famous in the Sixties by The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix, the ancient city is a blend of North African and Mediterranean culture, with everything from the cuisine to the architecture a curious and beautiful hodge-podge of Arabic, African, French and Roman influences.
Unlike the frenetic pace of Marrakech, the shady courtyards and spiralled staircases of Essaouira ring with a kind of vital insouciance. Every morning men in white djellabas toot the horns of dusty mopeds at friends sipping steaming mint teas outside cafes decorated with intricate rugs and bright blue graffiti. Apart from a climb up to the 16th century city ramparts to watch as fisherman haul in their slippery booty, there is not much to do in Essaouira apart from relax. Which is why a slew of Hollywood A-listers (Halle Berry and Susan Sarandon among them), have been known to make their way there over the years. Bijou hotels and riads like Madada Mogador are plentiful, offering city slickers an oasis of chic, North African design in which to recharge.
Forget Budapest… try Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland’s capital is one of the most underrated summer holiday destinations in Europe. In 2011, it was awarded the Unesco City of Literature award and it’s easy to see why — with snow-capped mountains and the luminescent green of the Northern Lights dancing in the sky from September until April, the city is thick with a sense of magic. The crowd is a who’s who of cool. Think the model set like Cara Delevingne and Karlie Kloss, as well as music royalty including Beyoncé, Jay Z and Frank Ocean. During the summer, Iceland has almost 24 hours of daylight meaning that Reykjavik is truly a city that never sleeps — or at least, it doesn’t have to. With so much to explore you can literally spend all day and night wandering the streets and gazing sky-wards to catch glimpses of the multicoloured rooftops and the imposing spire of Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral. The uber-chic Edition hotel chain has opened a new Reykjavik outpost in the downtown area of the city. Resplendent in light Scandi wood and open flame fireplaces, this is the go-to spot to stay the night or head for Icelandic cocktails.
Forget Hydra… try Andros, Greece
The big hitters — Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu — are overrun by tourists. You could be sitting on a beach in Kos and find yourself surrounded by half of Middlesex. Thankfully, in recent years, some of the smaller, lesser known islands have come to the fore and most of them seem to rhyme with each other: cue Naxos, Paxos, Patmos and Samos, but today we are talking about Andros.
The island is home to healing springs, waterfalls, marble pavements, and this month was the backdrop to fashionista Lucy Williams’ wedding. What Andros lacks in size, it makes up for in status. It was the preferred haunt of 20th century shipping magnates and so, for today’s elite traveller, that means shimmering marble pavements, gold sculptures and neoclassical mansions dotted imposingly along the town’s narrow alleyways. This is not to say that Andros has been gentrified, far from it.
The town’s wealth means the isle may glint and gleam a little more than its cousins, but it remains deeply entrenched in Greek tradition and customs. Every village has its own fountain fed from the island’s natural springs. The jet-set stay at Melisses, a near-perfect B&B run by the impossibly chic Allegra. Addictively Instagrammable and with just five (gorgeous) rooms, booking early is key.
Forget Lisbon… try Seville
You may have noticed from your late night scrolling that half of London is in Seville this summer. Creative director and fashion visionary Maria Grazia Chiuri has chosen the uniquely beautiful Plaza de Espana as the setting for Dior’s 2023 cruise show on June 16. Expect to see Anya Taylor-Joy, Emma Raducanu, Iris Law and Jisoo looking remarkably chic in the 40-degree heatwave. Last week, Princess Beatrice was seen recovering from the Platinum Jubilee celebrations at the boujee boutique Las Casas de la Juderia — or perhaps she was having a farewell sangria with sister Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank who are reportedly relocating to the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club just a short chopper ride across the border in Portugal. Really, the only place to stay is Hotel Alfonso XII — look out for Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Shakira and Madonna who are loyal patrons. Those in the know arrive early for a table at family-run Eslava in the pretty San Lorenzo neighbourhood.
