The Five Best Last-Minute Summer Escapes
If, like me, you've been putting off booking your summer holiday, you're not alone.
I'll admit it, the world has felt a little unpredictable this year. Between wondering what might happen with flights, hearing endless travel headlines and generally waiting to see how everything settled down, I just couldn't quite bring myself to press 'book'.
Fast forward to the start of the school holidays, however, and I suddenly realised I had two teenagers happily slipping into full vampire mode, sleeping all day, staying up all night and barely seeing daylight. It was time for an intervention.
So I did what I always do: I disappeared down a travel research rabbit hole.
The good news? With more and more flights now departing from Scottish airports, there were far more options than I'd expected. Greek islands, Spanish coastlines, stylish city breaks and sunshine-filled beach escapes all competed for a place on my shortlist before I finally settled on our own little Greek getaway in a fortnight's time.
It wasn't an easy decision.
In fact, these five destinations were the ones that made choosing genuinely difficult. If you're still looking for a last-minute summer escape, perhaps one of them will be exactly what you've been searching for.
Royal Hideaway Corales Suites, Tenerife
The Suite Hotel That Makes You Want to Stay Put
Some holidays are all about ticking off the sights. Others are about checking in, taking a deep breath and wondering why life can't always feel this easy.
Part of Jet2holidays' Indulgent Escapes collection, Royal Hideaway Corales Suites, in the laid-back village of La Caleta on Tenerife's south coast, is exactly that kind of place. Designed to resemble a luxury cruise ship looking out across the Atlantic, every suite feels wonderfully spacious, with generous terraces that make breakfast in the sunshine or a sunset glass of wine feel like part of the holiday ritual.
This is the sort of hotel where you can be as active or as horizontal as you like. Spend your days drifting between the pools, lose a few hours in the spa, wander along the seafront promenade or simply soak up the Canarian sunshine with a good book. If you do fancy venturing further afield, Costa Adeje's beaches, boutiques and boat trips are all within easy reach.
It's also brilliantly flexible. Whether you're travelling as a family and want the freedom of a suite with plenty of space, or escaping as a couple looking for a little understated luxury, it manages to feel relaxed rather than overly polished.
Why We Love It: Beautiful design, spacious suites and the kind of holiday where doing very little suddenly feels like the best plan of all.
How To Get There: Jet2 Holidays flies to Tenerife from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.
Ikos Dassia, Corfu
The All-Inclusive That Redefines the Category
If you're the sort of traveller who likes everything taken care of before you've even unpacked, Ikos Dassia makes a very convincing case for booking Corfu this summer.
Set on Corfu's peaceful east coast, where olive groves meet the calm waters of the Ionian Sea, this five-star beachfront resort has all the ingredients of a classic Greek escape – beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water and endless sunshine – but with a level of service that makes switching off wonderfully easy.
What really sets Ikos apart is its approach to all-inclusive. Forget buffet queues and wristbands. Here, days revolve around leisurely breakfasts, dips in one of the hotel's beautifully designed pools, beach walks and lazy lunches, while evenings are spent choosing between seven à la carte restaurants and stylish cocktail bars, all included as part of your stay.
Families will love the huge choice of activities and spacious accommodation, while couples can easily find quieter corners to disappear with a book or simply spend an afternoon gazing out across the Ionian Sea. It's the sort of place where you barely have to think about anything, leaving you free to do what holidays are really for.
Why We Love It: It takes all-inclusive to another level. Beautiful, effortless and the kind of holiday where everything simply works.
How To Get There: Jet2 Holidays flies from Glasgow.
Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel & Suites, Rhodes
The Adults-Only Escape Made for Switching Off
If your dream holiday involves uninterrupted sea views, long, lazy mornings and absolutely no competition for a sunbed, Lindos Blu might just be the answer.
Perched above the beautiful curve of Vlycha Bay, just a short drive from postcard-perfect Lindos, this adults-only retreat has a wonderfully peaceful feel. Built into the hillside so that almost every room enjoys uninterrupted views across the Aegean, it's the sort of hotel that encourages you to slow your pace from the moment you arrive.
Days here are blissfully uncomplicated. Drift between the infinity pools, wander down to the private beach, lose an afternoon in the spa or simply settle into a lounger with that book you've been meaning to read all year. As evening arrives, there's nowhere better than the terrace as the sun dips behind the hills and the bay turns shades of gold.
While Rhodes has plenty to explore, from the whitewashed streets of Lindos to hidden coves and ancient ruins, this is one of those rare hotels that makes staying put feel every bit as appealing as heading out.
Why We Love It: It's sophisticated without trying too hard, beautifully peaceful and exactly the sort of place I'd choose for a proper grown-up getaway.
How To Get There: Jet2 Holidays flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.
Mazzarò Sea Palace, Sicily
The Italian Escape That Feels Straight Out of a Film
If your idea of the perfect holiday includes elegant terraces, sparkling turquoise water and evenings that begin with an aperitivo and end long after sunset, Sicily should be firmly on your shortlist.
Set on the beautiful Bay of Mazzarò, just below the hilltop town of Taormina, Mazzarò Sea Palace enjoys one of the island's most enviable locations. Step straight onto the hotel's private beach for an early morning swim, spend lazy afternoons beside the sea-facing pool, or hop on the nearby cable car to explore Taormina's winding streets, independent boutiques and lively piazzas before returning to the coast for dinner.
There's something undeniably cinematic about this stretch of Sicily. The dramatic coastline, the backdrop of Mount Etna, colourful fishing boats bobbing in the bay and the scent of citrus trees all combine to create the kind of holiday you'll find yourself thinking about long after you've unpacked.
It's sophisticated without feeling formal and perfectly placed for anyone who loves to mix beach days with a little culture, shopping and exceptional scenery.
Why We Love It: Italy at its most glamorous, with the best of beach life and beautiful Taormina right on your doorstep.
How To Get There: Jet2 Holidays flights leave from Edinburgh.
Marvie Hotel, Split
The City Break That Comes With a Beach
If you can't decide between a city break and a beach holiday, Split lets you have both.
Marvie Hotel sits just outside the historic heart of Croatia's second city, close enough to wander into the UNESCO-listed Old Town, yet only a short stroll from the beach. It means your days can begin with a swim in the Adriatic, continue with lunch on Split's palm-lined Riva promenade, and end exploring the ancient streets and hidden courtyards of Diocletian's Palace before settling in for dinner by the harbour.
Back at the hotel, the rooftop pool offers sweeping views across the Adriatic and neighbouring islands, while the spa is the perfect antidote after a day exploring. Contemporary rooms, stylish interiors and a relaxed atmosphere make it feel like a boutique retreat rather than a typical city hotel.
Croatia has a way of getting under your skin. Crystal-clear water, incredible seafood, island-hopping opportunities and a city that's buzzing from morning coffee to late-night cocktails make Split one of those destinations you'll already be planning to revisit before you've flown home.
Why We Love It: It combines everything I love about a summer holiday – sunshine, sea, history, great food and a city that's made for wandering.
How To Get There: Jet2 Holidays flights leave from Edinburgh.