RACKING up hundreds of countries between us all, it’s no surprise that the Sun Travel team are out exploring the world this summer.
So we’ve spoken to each of our to find out where they are going this summer, from family villas in to being first on the world’s biggest cruise ship.
Sicily villas
One of the joys of not having school-age children is being able to travel in late summer, taking advantage of the cheaper prices and fewer crowds.
But of course, the is never closed, and our break will still see the whole family heading away together, but on a very different holiday with our grown-up kids.
Our choice was a villa in , where the whole family can come together to splash about in the private pool or gather for lazy meals on the terrace.
The recently refurbished Ad Astra villa sits right on the seafront at Finale di Pollina on Sicily’s north eastern coast with direct access to the pebbly beach and clear cobalt waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
With four bedrooms and three bathrooms there hopefully won’t be any sibling squabbles and outside in the lovely gardens, there are two terraces for dining and relaxing.
The beachfront town is more tranquil than neighbouring bustling but still promises a smattering of pizzerias, cafes and shops.
The charming main square, La Torre, has gorgeous sea views perfect for a morning coffee or evening aperitivo.
With flights flying into Catania and flights out of Palermo, we’ll hire a car and get to explore the northern Sicilian coastline, still drenched in sunshine and temperatures of 27degrees in early September.
One must-visit for me will be the ancient hilltop medieval village of Pollina – rising dramatically 730metres above the coastline where our villa sits.
With narrow, winding streets to explore and an open-air amphitheatre carved into the rock there should be breathtaking views of the sea and if we get a clear day.
Four nights at Ad Astra villa start from £462pp in September at WishSicily.com.
, Head of Travel
Turkish TUI resort
While I love taking my child on busy, exploration holidays (he’s already ticked off some great bucket listers of Lapland and at the age of six), sometimes you need that fly and flop.
So we’ll be heading to the Holiday Village AQI in this summer for a week of relaxation.
is always a great option when travelling in the summer, being one of the more affordable holiday destinations that have short flights from the UK.
And the TUI resort has more than enough to keep up busy without leaving the site.
We both love , and there are seven pools to choose from so we’ll be able to go to a new one every day.
Although whether I’ll be able to drag him away from the splash park, who knows.
Maybe when I tell him there are more than 200 activities on offer at the hotel.
And I’ll be heading straight to the spa for a and sauna session.
Seven nights at Holiday Village Aqui start from £891 in August with flights, or £619 out of season.
, Head of Travel (Digital)
Fuerteventura
September might not seem like summer here, but in is most definitely is.
The weather, on what is me and my hubby’s favourite Canary isle, is glorious at that time of year. Not baking hot but still very warm and with the famous and very welcome ‘Fuerty wind’ making it much more bearable.
We’ve been here three times before, so I think you get the idea we love it here.
We’ve previously stayed in Caleta de Fuste, a popular resort in the middle of the island’s east coast, with a good variety of hotels, villas, restaurants, pubs and plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained and Lajares, a much quieter place and great place to rent a villa and just chill by your own pool.
This time we’re trying something different and heading to Corralejo on the northern tip of the island, where we hope to discover yet another side to , including the incredible Corralejo Natural Park’s sweeping sand dunes.
I’m looking forward to walking along the former fishing village’s well-known Flag Beach and eating glorious seafood at one of the many restaurants, especially in the old town with its cobbled streets and harbour.
We’re also planning a day trip to the nearby Lobos Island nature reserve and perhaps even plucking up the courage to go snorkeling, as well as pottering around the El Campanario Market to pick up a souvenir or two.
But most of all I am just looking forward to a week of sunshine, great food and a bit of well-deserved R&R.
, Scottish Sun Travel Editor
World’s biggest cruise ship
I fell a little in love with cruising a few years back, on a heavily rum-fuelled sailing between sleepy islands.
Even now, I’m writing this from a sun-soaked lounger on a glossy ship at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, but it’s the vessel I’m boarding later this year that I’m most excited about.
Royal Caribbean‘s newest ship and the second in its icon class, Star of the Seas, will be
I’ll be on board, of course. How could I resist another Caribbean adventure at sea?
The largest cruise ship in the entire world (a title she shares with sister ship, Icon of the Seas) and reaching a whopping 1,196ft in length, this will be on a mind-boggling scale .
What I’m looking forward to most is the Lincoln Park Supper Club, an immersive dining experience exclusive to Star that, I hear, will transport diners back to the 1930s in the American city of Chicago.
I’ll also get to explore , the cruise lines private island in the Bahamas where icy cocktails are delivered directly to cabanas on golden sands, overlooking the clearest waters. Can it get any better than that?
Watch this space. I’ll be back here in a few months time and I’m sure I’ll have endless secrets to spill.
Royal Caribbean launches from Florida in August 2025, with seven-night sailings from £1,059
, Assistant Travel Editor
Zurich
I’ve always been wanting to explore more of Switzerland, so there’s no better time than with the
I’m looking forward to exploring , often named one of the world’s best places to live as well as one of Europe‘s happiest cities.
Not only that but it ticks all of the boxes – did you know the city has 18 to choose from?
While the locals choose to float down the river to work, with their belongings safely tucked into a waterproof bag, I’ll be hunting out some of the women-only lidos to spend the days in.
As a chocolate lover, I’ll also be heading straight to the Lindt World of Chocolate Museum to stock up (brining hauls of back with me).
I’m determined to prove that Zurich isn’t an expensive destination, especially seeing as you can fly there in just over an hour for less than £20.
Loads of airlines are launching flights too – Edelweiss now has direct routes to Zurich from Bristol while has new Edinburgh-Zurich flights.
But of course I’ll be , hoping we get to the finals. Come on England!
The UEFA Women’s Euros England vs Sweden match takes place in Zurich on July 17.
, Deputy Travel Editor
In the mean time, here are some of our other Sun Travel Team tips including:
