Sunshine is the theme of this week’s bargains. Whether it’s revelling in Shakespeare under an Italian sun, saying no to night time in relaxed Reykjavik, or basking in scorching rays on the Spanish coast; if the fiery sphere has eluded you so far, you know what to do!
Reykjavik £231
Reykjavik is love at first sight for most visitors and it’s easy to see why. With cheerfully coloured buildings, quirky local folk, non-stop nightlife and a dark sense of humour that contradicts the 22 hours of daylight during the summer months, the city is a beguiling combination of tiny village and city slicker.
Cosy cafes, trendy restaurants, stylish galleries and ultra-modern geothermal pools nestle in a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, cloud skimming volcanoes, and crystal clear ocean. This has to be one of the best cities in the world. Find flights to Reykjavik
Murcia £75
If the sunshine hasn’t quite reached your corner of the world yet, why wait for it to come to you? Murcia’s 250km of coast, La Costa Cálida, (the Hot One) has over 3000 hours of sunshine each year. Hop on a plane to super sunny Murcia and you’ll find yourself in a beautiful Spanish city largely untouched by the tourist crowds.
Languish on deserted beaches, feast on fresh dishes in homely cafes or spend your days flitting in and out of local shops, museums, galleries and grassy green parks. The beautiful unspoilt Parque Natural de Sierra Espuña is wonderful for outdoor types, including climbers, hikers and bikers. Find flights to Murcia
Verona £44
‘Piccola Roma’ or ‘little Rome’ as Verona is locally known, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Its golden age came during the 13th and 14th centuries thanks to the patronage of the Della Scala family (also known as ‘the Scaligeri’) and it’s now a stunning UNESCO world heritage site with incredibly well preserved renaissance architecture that yearns to be admired.
However, this period was also famous for savage family feuds and all the inspiration Shakespeare needed to create his literal masterpiece of romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. A moonlit walk through the winding streets of the star crossed lover’s birthplace is nothing short of enchanting. Find flights to Verona
