So is summer over? Weather reports are patchy, that’s for sure. The Met Office warns to expect strong winds, showers and ‘longer spells of rain’ this weekend.
The week ahead is not likely to feature any ‘phew-what-a-scorcher’ headlines either. The most hopeful forecast mentions ‘less widespread showers’, chilly nights and slightly more settled conditions. From the end of the month, nobody is sure what will happen. It may get hotter . . . or it may not.
The good news is that if you want to guarantee sunshine you can — by booking a last-minute holiday bargain. There are plenty around, as people hold off on booking breaks because of the ongoing uncertainty around Brexit and a weakening pound against the euro and the dollar.
Here’s our pick of some of the sunniest, last-minute offers . . .
Cheap in Croatia
Cavtat is a quiet seaside town on the Adriatic in the south of Croatia, a short bus ride from the beautiful medieval walled city of Dubrovnik
Cavtat is a quiet seaside town on the Adriatic in the south of Croatia, a short bus ride from the beautiful medieval walled city of Dubrovnik (13 miles away). This is a place to relax in the sunshine and enjoy the local tavernas as well as its two sandy beaches. Albatros Hotel is perfectly set on a wide bay with great sea views.
Temperature: 28c
Details: Seven nights half-board from £672pp departing from Gatwick on August 29 (tui.co.uk, 0203 636 1931).
Corfu villa
Bag a last-minute deal with GIC The Villa Collection, which still has some lovely holiday houses on offer.
Villa Zaira on Corfu sleeps six in three colourful bedrooms and has a kidney-shaped pool surrounded by sun loungers and a lawn. The soft sand dunes and beach at Halikounas are a short walk away.
Temperature: 32c
Details: Seven nights from £541pp based on four adults and two children sharing with flights from Gatwick on August 26 (gicthevillacollection.com, 020 8232 9780).
Mexican heatwave
Set within 240 acres of tropical forest near Playa del Carmen, just 40 miles south of Cancun, the Fairmont Mayakoba hotel has pools galore, waterways with boats linking different parts of the resorts and a golf course. There’s also a kids’ club. Plenty of great walks are to be had on nature trails through the forest.
Temperature: 32c
Details: Seven nights B&B from £1,279pp for Manchester or Gatwick departures from September 1 until October 18 (destinology.co.uk, 01204 874350).
Camping in Italy
Zoom off to a stay at Camping Fabulous, a family campsite with pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, volley ball and a five-a-side football pitch. It’s a short drive from a golden-sand beach close to Rome (great for a day trip). No need to bring your own tent, accommodation provided.
Temperature: 32c
Details: Seven nights self-catering in a three-bedroom holiday home sleeping up to six, from £441 leaving on August 24 (canvasholidays.co.uk, 0345 268 0827); Rome flights from £253pp return (skyscanner.net).
Greek sun gods
The eastern Aegean sea island of Samos is separated from mainland Turkey by the Mycale Strait just a mile wide
Bask in sunshine on the eastern Aegean sea island of Samos — separated from mainland Turkey by the Mycale Strait just a mile wide — while staying at a self-catering apartment that is a short walk from the little seaside village of Ireon, home to several great seafood restaurants. The Zeus Apartments are basic but come with pleasant balconies, and there is a large communal pool.
Temperature: 30c
Details: Seven nights self-catering with flights from Gatwick departing on September 5 from £549pp (sunvil.co.uk, 020 8758 4758).
No rain in Spain
Augusta Club Hotel and Spa is a four-star adults-only hotel on the edge of the Costa Brava beach resort of Lloret de Mar. This is a place to relax by the pool or take part in free yoga and tai-chi classes and book a spa treatment or two. Rooms have a pared-down style, decorated in neutral colours.
Temperature: 28c
Details: Seven nights B&B from £398pp departing on September 4 from East Midlands Airport (onthebeach.co.uk, 0871 474 3000).
Montenegro money-saver
Stylish sunset: The town of Ulcinj makes a perfect day out in Montenegro
Set by an eight-mile-long beach, Holiday Village Montenegro is a new all-inclusive resort that is great for active family breaks. There’s a high-ropes course, a football academy, a swimming academy, several tennis courts and a selection of pools. The nearby ancient town of Ulcinj is perfect for a day trip.
Temperature: 30c
Details: Seven nights all-inclusive is from £1,120pp, based on four sharing a family room departing Manchester on September 5 (holidayhypermarket.co.uk, 0800 916 5100).
Red Sea for a song
It’s baking hot in Hurghada now, overlooking the Red Sea in Egypt. Enjoy snorkelling and windsurfing by the fine sandy beach at Siva Grand Beach Hotel, which is all-inclusive and has a large outdoor pool, a kids’ pool, children’s club (aged 4-12) and lovely lawns shaded by palm trees.
Temperature: 33c
Details: 14 nights all-inclusive from £546pp departing from Gatwick on August 26, or from Manchester on August 27 from £551pp (redseaholidays.co.uk, 020 7332 2660).
Gorgeous in Grenada
Grenadan paradise: The pool may not be literally infinity but it’s certainly long at 100m
Stay in style at a super-slick new beach resort on the Caribbean island of Grenada. Silversands has a huge infinity pool, a cool beach club restaurant and minimalist designer rooms dotted on a hillside leading down to Grand Anse Beach.
Temperature: 29c
Details: Seven nights B&B from £2,290pp for departures until December 21 if booked by August 31 from Gatwick with ‘fast track’ airport passes (carrier.co.uk, 0161 492 1354).