Getting serious about your summer plans? Whether you’re heading far afield or planning a closer-to-home escape, this selection of places, products and services will turn your summer adventures into something you’ll be talking about long after the warmer months are over.
Revel in palatial bliss in the Swiss Alps this summer
Perched above the storybook village of Gstaad, the family-owned Gstaad Palace hotel pairs historic grandeur with warm hospitality, offering a refined mountain retreat surrounded by sweeping alpine views. Summer here centres on fresh mountain air, outdoor adventure and relaxed luxury. Spend sunshine-filled days hiking scenic trails, enjoying tennis and beach volleyball, or unwinding in the hotel’s expansive Palace Spa before evenings of fine dining and lively social events.
The season’s standout moment is the prestigious Gstaad Palace Challenge, one of the resort’s best-known tennis tournaments, drawing international players and spectators to the heart of the Alps. Guests visiting during Swiss National Day on 1 August can also expect celebratory dining, entertainment and festivities in true Palace style.
Book a stay at Palace.ch
Discover a world of experiences in Egypt
Tailor your Egyptian journey of discovery across three fascinating destinations in this land rich in ancient history and cosmopolitan culture. Wake to views over the Nile at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, your gateway to exploring energetic modern Cairo and discover historic wonders at the incredible Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum in the world.
Dive into the Red Sea’s hidden treasures at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, a beachfront sanctuary offering access to vibrant marine life, desert adventures and breathtaking scenery. Alternatively, immerse yourself in a genuine Mediterranean experience at Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano, an idyllic destination to explore ancient history and culture, including the newly restored Greco-Roman Museum and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Save up to 20 per cent on bookings at Fourseasons.com/egypt
Find zen in a contemporary onsen
Escape to Kinosaki Onsen, a peaceful hot spring town known for its traditional atmosphere and tattoo-friendly bathing culture. Set against a backdrop of willow-lined canals and historic streets, this more-than-1,300-year-old destination’s narrow roads echo with the clip-clop of traditional wooden geta sandals of locals and visitors ‘hot spring-hopping’ between its public baths.
Beyond the soothing thermal waters, travellers can experience Zen meditation, cycling tours and guided excursions to nearby villages, offering a deeper glimpse into life in rural Japan. With traditional ryokan stays, scenic surroundings and a relaxed pace of life, Kinosaki Onsen is an ideal retreat for those seeking calm, culture and authentic Japanese hospitality.
Find out more at Visitkinosaki.com
Stay powered up for days out on land and at sea
Summer is on the horizon and that means that adventures on the water beckon. Out there, your comfort depends on a reliable power source quietly working behind the scenes. The Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 is a portable and dependable power station that allows you to venture far without interruption. Its 2042Wh capacity and 2200W output supports all sorts of devices from phones and cameras to sound systems, mini fridges and even drones, so all your home comforts can join you on board.
Its compact design, enabled by advanced CTB (Cell-to-Body) technology, fits easily into limited space, while ChargeShield 2.0™ ensures intelligent, stable performance throughout your journey. It’s fast-charging and unobtrusive, allowing you the freedom to explore further and stay connected without compromise.
Find out more at Uk.jackery.com
Make memories on the Algarve this summer
In a prime position beside the Vilamoura Marina and the golden sands of the Algarve’s coast, Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort has long been one of the area’s defining seaside retreats. The hotel’s 383 contemporary rooms and suites look out across the marina or the Atlantic Ocean framed by large sliding doors leading to a private balcony.
The resort has four indoor and outdoor pools, and the expansive Tivoli Spa invites guests to shut the world out and reset with treatments from Natura Bissé and Hydrafacial. At Purobeach Vilamoura, settle into a beachfront sunlounger for a day’s tanning, then retreat to the adults-only poolside setting as evenings shift towards cocktails at The Argo Cocktail Bar and dining at Pepper’s Steakhouse.
Book your stay at Tivolihotels.com
Discover a historic city that feels like an open-air showcase of design
The second-largest city in Lithuania, Kaunas is recognised as a Unesco City of Design and a World Heritage Site. When not admiring its art deco, Bauhaus and Lithuanian National Revival architecture, visitors can take an immersive tour around the homes of artists and public figures who once lived there, or explore the Echoes of Čiurlionis route, starting at the M K Čiurlionis National Museum of Art.
Afterwards, travellers can check out who’s performing at Dainų slėnis (Song Valley), Žalgirio Arena or one of the many open-air terraces this summer. And just because it’s a city, doesn’t mean there isn’t nature to enjoy: Santaka Park, Nemunas Island, the century-old Oak Grove in Žaliakalnis and the pine forest in Panemunė await.
Plan your visit at Kaunasin.it
Plan a culture-filled summer getaway to Salzburg
Salzburg, Austria, earns its nickname as the ‘stage of the world’ due to its extensive calendar of events that run throughout the year, including classical music, theatre and performing arts. There’s no time like this summer for visiting, as Salzburg celebrates 30 years since it became a Unesco World Heritage City.
New highlights for 2026 include the opening of the Unesco World Heritage Museum in June and The Sound of Music Salzburg Museum opens on 20 September. Then there’s the Salzburg Festival, which takes over the baroque Old Town from 17 July to the end of August with a packed programme of opera concerts. Explore a different side to the city in districts such as Andräviertel with its contemporary edge, or head to nearby lakes and gentle alpine trails for a flavour of quintessential Austrian life.
Plan your visit at Salzburg.info
Be enchanted by a fairytale stay by the fjords
Set among the dramatic landscapes of steep-sided fjords, Haaheim Gaard is a remote country hotel in the heart of Norway’s Fjordland. The restored historic building sets the tone for romance, with old-world character and a warm, intimate atmosphere. Antique-filled rooms and candlelit interiors make guests feel like they’ve stepped back in time, while the award-winning gardens change character with the seasons.
Dining is another highlight, with menus designed around regional produce and Norwegian culinary traditions, all served in elegant surroundings overlooking the gardens. Beyond the hotel itself, the estate hosts concerts, storytelling evenings and seasonal cultural events that celebrate local heritage and rural life. Its peaceful setting also makes it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding fjords and mountain scenery, whether by foot, boat or a scenic drive.
Book a stay at Haaheimgaard.no
Explore the Nordics and Baltics with the help of local experts
Thanks to pleasing temperatures and long days, with sunlight lasting past midnight, summer is the best time to visit Northern Europe. Authentic Scandinavia specialises in customisable tours across the Nordics and Baltics for travellers who value balancing their independence with a little help from those in the know. The expert team puts together self-guided and partly guided itineraries that combine urban exploration in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm with travel through the stunning Nordic countryside.
Featuring scenic rail routes, fjord cruises and overnight ferries, journeys are crafted not only to show off the region’s finest features but to encourage a sustainable method of travel. Each journey is arranged with detailed information, comfortable and convenient accommodation options and 24/7 support. For a more elevated experience, Platinum tours offer upgraded stays and travel options.
Find out more at Authentic-scandinavia.com
Treat yourself to a health-focused stay by the Mediterranean
For those who juggle a busy lifestyle and are on the lookout for a getaway to recharge and reset, ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea provides the setting for a clinically guided approach to wellbeing in a hillside Mediterranean setting. Here, guests can do more than simply switch off by the pool – they receive a personal blueprint that guides their nutrition, movement, recovery and emotional wellbeing during their stay, which can then be continued when they return home.
The result is a more structured and thoughtful form of health travel that will appeal to those who seek to better understand factors such as stress, sleep, recovery and overall wellbeing. Far from a wellness gimmick, a stay here means an optimised health profile, the improvement of daily habits and access to expert insights in a calm and discreet environment.
Discover more at Zemaltea.com
Discover the Arctic aboard a boutique ship
You’ve lounged on beaches, discovered historic cities and relaxed at spa hotels. Now it’s time to try something completely different. Swan Hellenic offers a series of Arctic expeditions for the 2026 season, with a range of itineraries across the region. Explore these and other incredible destinations worldwide – including voyages in Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region – aboard Swan Hellenic’s fleet of three purpose-built boutique ships.
With exclusive expeditions offering unparalleled views of the world, these journeys provide rare glimpses and unforgettable encounters with some of the planet’s most dramatic landscapes. Of course, availability is limited due to the scale of the ships and also the brevity of the Arctic summer; get planning as soon as possible.
Book now at Arctic.swanhellenic.com
Cruise Europe’s rivers in opulent style
Riverside Luxury Cruises offers three- to 21-night itineraries on the Rhine, Rhône, Danube, Moselle and Main rivers. Its modern ships boast large suites with king-size beds and marble bathrooms for the utmost luxury, while a one-to-one staff-to-suite ratio throughout the journey means every detail is handled with thoughtful, personal attention.
Every meal on board is prepared a la minute using fresh, local ingredients, while the ships’ sommeliers pair exquisite wines and cocktails to complement. When not relaxing, choose from a range of included excursions – such as museums and palaces, private concerts and intimate visits to family-owned farms and vineyards – or set off independently, with complimentary bikes provided.
Head to Riverside-cruises.com and book any 2027 sailing by 30 June 2026 and save 18 per cent. Discount is already reflected in the displayed prices online.
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