From swimming in the Norwegian fjords to feasting in Lisbon; from la dolce vita in Venice to barefoot luxury on the island of Hvar, Millie Walton picks some of the best summer weekend escapes from the UK (all under three hours from London by plane).
Malaga
Whilst this sunny Andalusian city is often dismissed as a party destination, it has much to offer beyond the dreaded ‘strip’. The pedestrianised cobbled streets of Calle Grande, Málaga’s old Jewish quarters, are the perfect place to start. Here you’ll find pastel-coloured historic buildings, narrow winding alleys, and some of Spain’s best tapas bars that are packed with locals sipping sherry late into evening. The best place to stay in the area is Palacio Solecio, a luxury boutique hotel housed in a former 18th-century Andalusian palace. Many of the rooms boast balconies overhanging the streets and the staff are brimming with recommendations of places to go and things to see – though the best way to get a feel for the city is to wander: one minute you’ll be walking past high street brands and the next the ruins of a Roman theatre. Lunch at Atarazanas Market, renowned for being one of the best in the world, is a must, especially for the fresh seafood – order tortillitas de camarones (crispy prawn fritters) followed by fresh tuna kebabs that come served with thick slices of beef tomato and pepper. The first international outpost of the Pompidou Centre (down on the marina) is a little disappointing but the Carmen Thyssen Museum is wonderful with permanent displays of works by Spanish painters and Old Masters, and a strong programme of visiting exhibitions. End the evening with a visit to Hammam Al Andalus where you can indulge in a massage and bathe in candlelit heated pools until midnight.
Venice
There’s nothing quite like climbing off a plane and onto a speedboat. Venice certainly has style but it also has a complex, layered history and vibrant culture. There are traditional craft workshops dotted all over the city, some of which use traditional looms to weave textiles that are bought and commissioned by brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, meanwhile on the island of Murano, you can watch glassblowers firing up furnaces and spinning bulging, sinewy forms within the flames. For lunch, try out one of the many cicchetti bars which often appear slightly gloomy from the outside but serve a variety of delicious bite-sized delicacies. Then, spend the afternoon visiting the vast array of art exhibitions and installations that are currently on display as part of the Biennale (which runs until 27 November 2022). Or for something a little different, catch a water taxi over to Lido di Venezia (where the Venice Film Festival takes place) for a day lounging on the beach. The vibe here (in non-festival times) is laid-back and unpretentious. While there are countless hotels to choose from, the Aman is by far the most luxurious and romantic. Housed within a monumental palazzo, a short stroll from Piazza San Marco on the Grand Canal, the hotel boasts lush gardens, huge, cavernous rooms, gilded ceilings, silk wall coverings, chandeliers, and paintings by Italian Old Masters.
Hvar
Croatia is spoilt for choice when it comes to islands (there are over a thousand) but if a weekend is all you have, it’s better to pick one as your base and Hvar has it all. The island itself is rugged and wild with dense pine forests, lavender fields, and remote fishing villages whilst Hvar town caters to the super-yacht crowd with smart shops, bars, and restaurants. Our favourite hideaway on the island is Maslina, a small, stylish resort hotel tucked away on the craggy hillside of Maslinica Bay amid olive groves and Aleppo pine. Here, guests spend their days wandering around barefoot between the restaurant, poolside, spa, and the sea. There’s guided meditation under the shade of trees in the organic garden and the staff, who come mainly from the local communities, have expansive knowledge of the island’s sites, histories and customs. Nearby is the ancient town of Stari Grad with rustic konoba-style restaurants and surrounding local wine estates where tastings are held in candlelit cellars.
Lisbon
Portugal’s colourful capital is bursting with culture and a lively food scene. The best way to explore the city is undoubtedly on foot as many of its treasures – pretty tiled churches, art galleries, artisanal shops, and flea markets – lie hidden within its narrow cobbled streets, but there are a few key sites worth visiting. The Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT) brings together visual arts, technology, and science under one roof while Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, a Brutalist building located in lush gardens on the northern edge of the city, feels like an art-filled oasis with everything from Egyptian sculptures, John Singer Sargent paintings, and Art Nouveau jewellery. Lisbon is famed for pastel de nata, a tart made of gooey custard and flaky pastry (best served at Pastéis de Belém), as well as its seafood. Try bacalhau (salt cod) and açorda (bread and shellfish soup) at the Mercado da Ribeira then pop into a ginjinha bar for a shot of sour cherry liqueur. For dinner, make a reservation at Rocco, the in-house restaurant at newly opened boutique hotel The Ivens (already a favourite with Lisbon’s fast growing creative community).
Oslo
Bordered by wooded hills and balancing on the edge of its namesake fjord, which runs out into the North sea, life in the Norwegian capital is lived outdoors: swimming in the fjord, hiking in the wild pine forests of Nordmarka (40 minutes away by metro), or boating to one of the nearby islands. In the summer, when the sun sets late and rises early, the days feel endless. Check into The Thief, a stylish boutique hotel, with a spa and rooftop restaurant (open from May until September) and stroll along the waterfront, past the recently reopened National Museum (home to more than 5,000 artworks, including tapestry of 400 reindeer skulls by Sami artist Máret Ánne Sara) and into the recently revamped port district of Bjorvika. Here you’ll find a whole load hip restaurants and bars, the opera house, the Deichman Library, and the Munch museum, home to an impressive collection of works by Norway’s most famous son plus a roof terrace with sweeping views over the fjord.
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