What’s hot in southern Europe this summer?

The French Riviera

Top-class beaches, charming villages and huge yachts help make the French Riviera something extra special. From Nice, it’s easy to get to Marseille, Antibes, Cannes and St.Tropez, while to the east lies Monaco. Beautiful Montpelier is nearby, too, with its medieval ­architecture and bustling markets.

Michelin in Montpelier

La Réserve Rimbaud has been awarded a star in the 2016 Michelin guide. “This restaurant pays homage to the sun and the South of France,” says the guide.  “Its discerning culinary combinations are centered on fine ingredients and bursting with freshness. Lovely terrace with plane trees on the banks of the Lez.”

reserve-rimbaud.com

Oh là là!

In the heart of Cannes, the brand new Selection Gourmet Shop sells mouth-watering French produce made by local producers and artisans from places that are within 250km of Cannes. This is the place for pastries, chocolate and confectionery selected only from the most successful manufacturers of France. C’est super! 

selectiongourmetshop.fr

Connecting in Cannes   

A small white box the size of a credit card that you put in your pocket or your beach bag will provide you with WiFi wherever you are in Cannes. You can get the WiFi box at the tourist office in the Palais des Festivals for €7.90 per day. You simply enter the date when you want the WiFi to start working and the day that you want it to stop.

Sicily

Sicily is one of Southern Italy’s finest destinations, with amazing beaches, mountains and volcanoes. The island also has ancient Roman monuments such as the Temple Of Concordia and the Roman mosaics at Piazza­ Armerina. This summer, there are plenty of new things to do.

Cycle Sicily

There is no better way to explore Sicily than by bike. A recently finished cycle route in the southeast of the island has made this all the easier. This side of Sicily is rich in history and has stunning landscapes. The new route can be completed in eight days and passes the heart of ancient Magna Grecia, a Unesco World Heritage Site with over 3,000 years of Mediterranean history. Baroque towns in the Val di Noto such as Modica and Noto are also near the cycle route.

Shop till you drop

Fay is one of several Italian clothing boutiques that are opening new stores at the Sicilia outlet village located in the center of Sicily. This is the place to get top Italian designer brands at bargain prices. Italian accessory shop O Bag is also opening a new store at the village this summer, joining Roberta Biagi, Armani, Dolce and Gabbana and many more. And when you are worn out from shopping,  you can head to a nearby beach for some post-retail relaxation.

siciliaoutletvillage.it

Seawater therapy

The new Rocco Forte Spa at Verdura Resort is probably ­Italy’s most sumptuous spa. It’s 4,000 square meters and has its own private stretch of coastline with spectacular views over the Mediterranean from almost every angle. At the spa, you can treat yourself to thalasso ­ther­apy (the medicinal and therapeutic use of seawater and marine elements), use the infrared sauna, go for a swim in the 20m swimming pool or have a drink in the juice bar.  

roccofortehotels.com

Sardinia

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the ­Mediterranean (after Sicily) and offers some of the region’s most seductive beaches and waters. There are many hidden treasures to discover here, such as charming mountain ­villages and extraordinary dining experiences.

Stunning views

Hotel Le Ginestre is a brand new hotel situated on the stunning Costa Smeralda in northeastern Sardinia. The hotel offers a peaceful ambience and is ideal for couples who want to relax by the pool or on the private beach. The rooms have tasteful Sardinian furnishings and views over the beautiful garden or the clear blue sea. The hotel is above all perfectly located for exploring the magnificent Sardinian coastline. 

leginestrehotel.com

Romantic relaxation

Another hotel that has recently opened in Sardinia is the romantic five star Marinedda hotel. It is located on a gently sloping promontory with magnificent surroundings in a less well known part of the island. The hotel is dedicated to wellness and relaxation and has a spa where you can pamper yourself with different treatments or take a Turkish bath. The hotel is also located near a marina and fantastic beaches.

hotelmarinedda.com

Greece

With magnificent blue waters, spectacular ancient ­monuments and delicious food, it’s no wonder that Greece is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Going to Greece guarantees lots of sunshine. The only problem is ­choosing which island to go to.

Ancient culture in Crete

The new Eleutherna Museum in the heart of Crete opened its doors for the first time this summer. It is the first archaeological site museum in Crete. The museum is located on the slopes of Mount Ida near the archaeological site of the ancient city state of Eleutherna, one of the capital cities of ancient Crete during the period of the Homeric epics (1000–600 BC). The museum exhibits beautiful artefacts from the site accompanied by original and modern audio-visual displays.

ekathimerini.com

Cool off in Santorini

Summer is the time for ice cream, and in the central square of Fira in beautiful Santorini, the Solo Gelato café, which serves yummy Italian ice cream that has been nominated as one of the best ice creams in the world, has recently opened. Sit in the  café for hours and enjoy the lovely environment as you try all of the different flavors.     

sologelatosantorini.gr

Mykonos nightlife

The beautiful scenery of Mykonos, dotted with picturesque villages and hundreds of churches, is like something from a fairytale. The island is also known for its nightlife, which is regarded as one of the liveliest in the Mediterranean. Mykonos Bar is a new nightspot featuring Greek ­music  and located in the former Project Mykonos nightclub premises in Little Venice.

Text: Agnes Sundblad Elverfors