Has there ever been a more hotly anticipated summer? The chance, at last, to bask in sunnier climes has arrived and, suffice it to say, holiday season 2022 will be a hot one.
And a very different one, too. Because instead of charging back out there and rehashing the same old tired holiday clichés, savvy travellers have used the pandemic pause to reflect. Indeed, this summer is all about maximising our fun with uplifting, horizon-broadening experiences, so it’s no surprise that nearly two-thirds of holidaymakers say they’re hungrier than ever to try something new this year, according to Booking.com's 2022 Travel Predictions survey.
This exciting cultural vibe shift is manifesting itself in several ways. One of which is ‘positive drinking’, a mindset that's become key to unlocking the enriching travel moments we’re all so desperate for.
What does that mean? It simply means enjoying a better, more balanced drinking experience, while empowering yourself to celebrate moderation to help you get even more from your favourite holiday moments.
Mainly, though, it's about choosing to squeeze every last drop of fun out of the most high-potential summer we've had in years. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of this irresistible opportunity.
In partnership with Tanqueray 0.0%
Soak up the moon-rays on Milos island, Greece
Positive drinking can open up a whole world of romantic travel opportunities you’d never even considered. Let’s say night has fallen and you and your beau fancy doing something a little different. Get behind the wheel and whisk your special one out to one of Europe’s near-infinite crop of hidden beaches for a moonlit stroll. For a star-gazing wonder with real promise, head over to Sarakiniko Beach on Milos island. By day, this crystal-blue inlet wows visitors with its archaeological formations which create plesant shallow waters to paddle in. By night, however, the grandeur of the night sky provides a magical backdrop, with nothing but the lapping waves and still-warm sand to keep you company.
Deep dive into the techno scene in Berlin
Berlin is of course world-famous for its banging techno scene. One way to see that side of the city is to party all night in a noisy basement. Another, rather-more-chill approach, is to bob about in a pool of warm salt water at the architecturally-striking Liquidrom. At this futuristic spa – actually a renovated railway station – music specially engineered to carry well underwater will ease you into a state of sublime restfulness. Classical music sessions also available if that’s more your speed. Either way, a great way to immerse yourself in the local scene.
Go on a pasta crawl in Bologna
Ordinarily, we'd promote the idea of trying as many different cuisines as possible on a summer holiday. What if, however, you visit a region that does a dish so exceedingly well that you decide to dedicate a day to eating that one thing? Like, say, Bolognese in Bologna, northern Italy. Kick-start your pasta crawl by snaffling meat-free ravioli at Clorofilla before heading over to the world-famous Tortellini at All’Osteria Bottega. Finish off at Trattoria Anna Maria for a few spoonfuls of its eight-hour ragù.
Hit the road in Malta
Europe has no shortage of ravishing, romantic road trip destinations, from the dolce vita glamour of Italy’s Amalfi Cost to the savoir faire of France’s bucolic Loire Valley. A little more off-the-beaten track, but nonetheless ideal for a four-wheeled adventure is Malta. The titchy Mediterranean island is just 27km by 14km, but to take in all its most arresting hotspots, from the knightly Baroque grandeur of the capital Valetta to the quiet nobility of ancient Mdina – the so-called ‘silent city’ – your best bet is a hire car. Not to mention the exquisite blue grotto, or sheltered Ir-Ramla il-Hamra beach, a gorgeous ferry trip away over on nearby Gozo.
Unearth otherworldly sights in Torrevieja
One of the ultimate thrills of travel is finding outlandish things in the least expected places. Case in point, the pink lake of Torrevieja, on Spain’s Costa Blanca. A short hop from Alicante, this mesmerising bubblegum-hued body of water is tinted by vast numbers of halobacteria – that is, bacteria that thrive in salty conditions – and a special type of algae called dunaliella salina. Science aside, it’s a life-alteringly lush spot, beloved by Spanish road trippers and the matchy-matchy local flamingo population.
Get your just desserts in Portugal
Travel is all about stepping outside your comfort zone. You can do this in all sorts of ways, but a very simple one is to expand your dessert horizons, and numero uno for deliciously peculiar puds has to be Portugal. We’re talking delicious exotica like Abade Priscos Pudding, made with sugar, egg yolks, port wine and pork fat; tangy goat's cheese tart sweetened with sugar and cinnamon; and baked apple (little more than a Granny Smith whacked in the oven with a lashing of port.
Stretch to a yoga retreat in Greece
Get well and truly out of it with Holistic Hellenic, an innovative off-grid yoga and hiking adventure which offers serene retreats among the monasteries of Meteora. In an incomparable setting – the rugged highlands of the Greek mainland – you’ll discover inner peace through a smart fusion of mindful Ashtanga Yoga and breath-taking nature hikes led by in-the-know instructors. All this against a backdrop of timeless Hellenistic architecture and sapphire-blue skies. It’s a sunny summer getaway that really puts the ‘treat’ in ‘retreat’.
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