Wondering where to book your next holiday? We asked Citizen Femme’s travel-obsessed team to share their choice of destinations for summer 2024.
From Marbella to Mauritius, Morocco, the Amalfi Coast and beyond – read on for some summer itinerary inspiration.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
This summer involves a mix of romantic getaways and fun-filled family resorts, plus some culture. My first stop is Olea All Suite Hotel in Zakynthos for a deeply relaxing weekend away: a calm, zen, slick design hotel for a lazy but absolutely luxe retreat with suites overlooking the Ionian Sea. For the opposite of zen – but by no means less luxury – as soon as school breaks for summer, we are heading to LuxME Costa Botanica in Corfu, a children’s holiday paradise. The Grecoland Kids’ Club has an original Botanists Lab to discover Corfu’s flora, a donkey family in the mini zoo, and a 40,000-square-metre aqua park – plus the beach and numerous outdoor and indoor pools. We’ll end the summer in Dubrovnik, Croatia to explore its history, castles and fortresses. Staying at Hotel Excelsior in the Old Town means we are right in the centre of it all.
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Gemma Louise Deeks, Fashion Editor
My boyfriend and I are doing a 10-day road trip around the Amalfi Coast in July. Starting in Naples, we’ll drive down to Sorrento for two nights, checking into the charming boutique hotel La Minervetta with a cliff-top setting and stunning views of Marina Grande – but it was the modern Mediterranean decor that really caught my eye. Next we’ll make our way over to Capri, and will be checking into Jumeirah Capri Palace, a luxurious Italian island resort in the town of Anacapri. I’m particularly looking forward to dining in elegant L’Olivo, the only restaurant in Capri with two Michelin stars. Following that is Positano; we’ve booked to stay at Il San Pietro Positano, a historic five-star hotel with views of the Amalfi Coast and direct access to its own private beach. Ravello is our final stop, where we’ll be spending our last few nights at the beautiful Palazzo Avino, the iconic pink-hued hotel famed for romance. Of course, we’ll be hiring a Fiat 500 to see us through the trip in Italian style.
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Becki Murray, Beauty Editor
Having done a lot of long-haul flying earlier this year, I’m looking forward to travels a little closer to home this summer. I have tickets to the Olympics, so plan to turn the opportunity to watch a few exciting days of track and field events into a broader holiday in Paris. I can’t wait to experience the French capital as it buzzes with sporting excitement. True to form, I’m also hoping to squeeze in some time visiting the brilliant French pharmacies for all my skincare essentials.
Katie Silcox, Managing Editor
My last few summers have revolved around days lazing on beaches across various Greek islands, with dinners of freshly-caught seafood in local tavernas come evening. Summer 2024 is set to be much the same; there are so many islands to explore. This year, as well as Mykonos and Santorini, I’ll be heading to a few more laid-back spots. In June I’m visiting a brand new hotel on the island of Tinos, as well as taking a trip to Crete, and I’m eyeing up Spetses, Milos, Paros and Folegandros for the rest of the season.
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Morag Turner, Citizen Enfants Editor
We’re flying straight to Marbella Club in Spain after school breaks up in July. All my boys love golf so they will be delighted by the courses there, plus all the other sporty facilities, like tennis and paddle boarding. I on the other hand, will be very happy to lie on a lounger reading my book. I love a chic hotel that also has plenty to keep all the family entertained and Marbella Club ticks all the boxes. Then, it’s off to North Devon for the rest of the summer, where we’ll spend our days swimming, surfing and hanging out with friends. My boys will have all their friends to stay too, so I’m basically running ‘mum’s B&B’ for eight weeks – but I love it! Mauritius is such a great place to visit with kids of any age, so our next long-haul trip is to Shangri-La Le Touessrok. We’ve been to the island many times, but it’s the type of place that adapts as your kids grow: it used to be all about making sandcastles on the beach but now it’s about scuba diving, water skiing and tennis.
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Ella Mansell, Editorial Assistant
I love spending summers in Europe: rustic villages, long lunches under the sun with locally-produced wine, and the incessant buzz of cicadas all day and night. This summer, I’m excited to spend time exploring more of Portugal – a country I hadn’t visited before meeting my Portuguese boyfriend. I’ve already fallen in love with both Porto and Lisbon, and can’t wait to go back to Porto for the buzzy nightlife, and to the capital for a riverside dinner at Ponto Final. We’ll drive between the two cities, detouring to Nazare, Sintra, and the Douro region famous for its wine – especially vinho verde made from ‘young’ grapes – perhaps including a stay at the beautiful Six Senses Douro Valley, overlooking the rolling vineyards.
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Bibiana Obahor, Head of Design
This summer, I’m heading to Morocco with my sisters, starting with the vibrant city of Marrakech. I’m excited to explore the bustling souks, the beautiful Bahia Palace, and unwind in a traditional riad. Next, we’ll visit the coastal town of Essaouira, enjoying its sandy beaches and fresh seafood. A camel trek across the Sahara Desert is also on the agenda, with a night under the stars in Merzouga. Morocco promises a blend of city, coast, desert, and mountain adventures.
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Jasmin Aujla, Head of Partnerships
Every summer I make a trip to Bodrum in Turkey to visit one of my best friends. This year will be extra special as I’ll visit her family’s olive oil farm in the Aegean region of Milas. Aside from swimming in the sea and eating lots of delicious food, I’m excited to spend a day relaxing at the Macakizi Hotel, to enjoy the buzzy nightlife at places like Ship Ahoy and soon-to-open Scorpios, and for long, raki-filled dinners by the water with a never-ending stream of meze dishes at places like Daze in Turkbuku.
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Lead image: Arkitaip
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