School’s almost out for summer and if you haven’t sorted a family getaway, then worry not, because Europe currently has last-gasp bargains galore, from cut-price villas in Tuscany to cheap-as-chips lodges in rural Denmark.
GLORIOUS ADRIATIC
Bag a summer holiday: Swim in the azure blue waters off the Makarska Riviera in Croatia
Find your spot on a lounger at the hillside Dalmacija hotel, perched on the edge of Croatia’s glorious Makarska Riviera, a largely unsung holiday beauty that lies between Split and Dubrovnik.
BOOK IT: Thomas Cook offers a week’s half-board from August 14 for £634pp, based on a family sharing a room. Price includes Manchester flights and transfers, thomascook.com
SAIL THE CANAL DU MIDI
Kick-start the engine on a self-sail cruise on the Canal du Midi in Southern France. Bypass lush vineyards and medieval villages as you pootle through the heart of the Languedoc region. No previous sailing experience required.
BOOK IT: A seven-night sail on August 16th costs £328.50pp based on four sharing a boat, and includes Ryanair flights from Stansted to Beziers, leboat.co.uk.
SWISS GLAMPING
The Bella Tola campsite, north of Zermatt, puts you in the midst of the Swiss Alps, with the prospect of summer skiing on your doorstep. Alongside the staggering mountain views, there are first-class facilities to boot.
BOOK IT: A Eurocamp safari-style tent sleeps six and costs £1,065 for an eight-night stay on August 19, eurocamp.com. Return crossing from Dover to Calais including a car and four people costs £135, dfdsseaways.co.uk
TRADITIONAL SAMOS
Experience Greece’s quieter side, on Aegean idyll Samos. Self-cater close to the pretty sweep of beach near Votsalakia in the island’s south west, where traditional life — including sweet local wine — still rules.
BOOK IT: A fortnight’s stay at the Anastasia apartments costs £726.50pp, flying from Gatwick on August 3, sunvil.co.uk
TUSCAN VILLA BREAK
Viva Italia: Two-bedroom Casa del Cavaliere in Tuscany has a private pool and incredible views
Holiday like the cognoscenti in Casa del Cavaliere, a converted tobacco barn that’s now awash with mod cons and its own pool. And the view? The pastoral beauty of the Niccone Valley on the Tuscan/Umbria border.
BOOK IT: CV Villas has a week’s self-catering from August 26 costs £1,652, sleeping four, cvvillas.com. Flights to nearby Pisa with easyJet cost £175pp from Luton, easyjet.com
SPANISH THRILLS
Strap yourself in for teen-friendly high-octane thrills at Spain’s biggest theme park. The most magnetic draw this summer is the stomach-flipping rides at just-opened Ferrari Land.
BOOK IT: Jet2 Holidays have week-long breaks to Hotel Caribe, PortAventura, on a half-board basis. A family room costs £638pp, including flights from Manchester on August 24, jet2.com
A CABIN IN CADIZ
Bag yourself a trendy beach-side cabin at the laid-back retreat, Magic Ranch, a short drive from Jerez on Spain’s southern tip. There’s yoga, trapeze and surfing off Cadiz’s sparkling coastline.
Sand ahoy: A beach break is at your fingertips
BOOK IT: Canopy and Stars have three-night Magic Ranch stays from August 21. A cabin for four costs £102 per night, visit canopyandstars.co.uk/magichq. Flights to nearby Jerez cost £93, flying from Stansted, ryanair.co.uk
ALL-IN AT OLUDENIZ
The seemingly never-ending Garcia is an all-inclusive mega resort with oodles for the kids to do, a decent spa and beguiling views of Turkey’s dreamy Turquoise Coast.
BOOK IT: Hays Travel has a week’s all-inclusive stay at the Garcia Resort and Spa for £570pp, based on a family of four sharing. Prices include flights from Birmingham on August 12, haystravel.co.uk
DANISH HIDEAWAY
Serving up beautiful countryside and plenty of blue-flag bathing beaches is Denmark’s North Zealand, the chunk of coast north of Copenhagen. A cute four-star wooden lodge is surprisingly affordable, even in peak season.
BOOK IT: Book with Novasol and pay £589 for a week-long self-catering stay on July 22. The lodge sleeps five in two bedrooms; return flights to Copenhagen from the UK can be added for £174pp, novasol.co.uk.
MOROCCAN ESCAPE
Pink palace: Hilltop oasis Jardin des Douars in Morocco is not as pricey as you might expect
A family-friendly riad resort in bohemian Essaouira, on Morocco’s windy Atlantic coast. Wander around the fortified and exotic medina and watch the fisherman bring in their catch.
BOOK IT: A family room at the Jardin des Douars costs £751pp for a five-night B&B on August 25, jardindesdouars.com. Fly to Essouaria with easyJet from Luton from £265pp, easyjet.com
FIVE-STAR ALGARVE
Jet to Portugal’s south and join the well-heeled as they wind down in style at the glitzy Pine Cliffs Resort. A tennis academy, 11 restaurants and one of Iberia’s most scenic golf courses await. Children will love Porto Pirata too — their very own pirate village.
BOOK IT: Seven nights for a family of three costs £3,479 including B&B, flights from Gatwick on August 24th and private transfers, sovereign.com