Summer's coming to an end but that doesn't mean you have to stash away your suitcase, delete the easyJet app off your phone and lose your passport (again) for another year. No, planning your next trip away is exactly what you've got to do now time's ticking down to autumn. What else have you got to look forward to between now and Christmas? X Factor? No thank you.
Here in the R29 office, travelling is one of our favourite topics of conversation. All anyone in search of a seriously cheap last-minute deal to somewhere hot has to do is shout. By the time their voice has travelled from one end of the room to the other, they'll have been inundated with tips on cities to visit, restaurants to eat at, bars to drink in and mates who can host them while they're there.
So in a bid to extend the holiday wisdom of team R29 out to you, we got everyone to write a "What I did on my holiday" diary à la primary school in order to give you some inspiration for your next trip.
Click through to find holiday destination recommendations for every budget, from the women who have just returned.
Jess Commons, Health & Living Editor
Where I went on my holiday: Polignano a Mare, Puglia, Italy
What’s the vibe? This cute old town is an Italian family beach destination full of friendly people, incredible shops, food and drink, and surrounded by sparkling blue sea. Prices for things like food and accommodation are very reasonable (we got an Airbnb between three, right in the centre, for €20 each a night) and there's a minimal amount of Brits (for the moment).
Best thing to do? The main beach gets BUSY. So instead, get yourself a tuk tuk (€5) and head down to the beach by Abbazia di San Vito and find yourself a place to paddle in the shallow pools that form every day in the ruins of this incredible old abbey. Make sure you get back to town in time in the evening to have sunset drinks in the gardens at the fancy Fly restaurant.
Best place to eat/drink:Caffè Dei Serafini. If there’s two of you, take advantage and book into this café/bar’s best feature – a teeny tiny balcony hanging over the cliffs, directly above the sea.
Nina Joyce, PR Director
Where I went on my holiday: Tuscany, Italy
What’s the vibe? Heaven. Flush your phone down the loo, smash your watch with a hammer and let your cares drift away while languid sunny days turn into boozy evenings round a BBQ. Great walled towns – including some with Roman ruins like Volterra – are dotted about, and you can fit in a day in nearby Florence without too much hassle. Make sure you hire a car if you’re planning on enjoying the sights and sounds of the Tuscan countryside: public transport is practically nonexistent and no one wants to spend their days miming "take me to the winery" and asking your bus driver if he'll change a €20 note.
Best thing to do? Not one for the squeamish, but the Museum of Human Anatomy in Pisa was a revelation. Hidden away in the city's medical school, you get a personal tour of the archive, which contains over 1,600 specimens including heads in jars, mummies, anatomical models and skulls. Pisa was one of the first places to have an anatomy school so naturally they have amassed an astonishingly gruesome collection which you can marvel at in total solitude.
Best place to eat/drink: Get your butts in that motor again and pray the GPS doesn't screw you over: La Cantinetta di Rignana is several kilometres of dusty track away from the nearest town. The menu of classic Tuscan fare (how are beans so tasty?) and beautiful views of neat vineyards makes it all worth it. I nearly cried tears of pure ecstasy eating some artichokes and feel this is a safe environment to admit that I bought so much wine from this restaurant that my excess baggage fee to take it home was over £70.
Georgia Murray, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Where I went on my holiday: Brooklyn, New York, USA
What’s the vibe? I stayed with a friend, so rather than hit all the tourist spots (which are totally worth doing first time you go, à la Chandler in Friends), I was based in Brooklyn, which is brimming with bagel spots, vintage shops, good-looking people and classic brownstone houses. It’s like east London but everything is...bigger.
Best thing to do? My favourite places were Lucky Dog, a dog-friendly dive bar with great beer; Prospect Park, created by the same architects that designed Central Park; and Roberta’s for incredible wood-fired pizza. I would recommend venturing into Chelsea for the High Line, contemporary art gallery Paul Kasmin, and a rooftop cocktail at Gallow Green, though.
Best place to eat/drink: My friend (generously) took me out for dinner and wine at Lucien, a legendary French bistro in the East Village – it’s cosy, the manager knows everyone, and there are photos on the walls of famous diners past. It’s expensive but an experience.
Rose Lander, International Co-ordinator
Where I went on my holiday: Barcelona, Spain
What’s the vibe? This wasn’t my first time visiting Barcelona, but it was my first time visiting for a proper grown-up holiday. Instead of sleeping 12 girls to an apartment and spending at least half the evening taking pictures of each other, I went with my boyfriend. Barcelona is a gorgeous city and I now regret spending so much of my previous time there drinking neon sangria.
Best thing to do? Though there are so many things to do in the city centre, the best beaches are worth travelling for. One of my favourite days was spent in Garraf, a tiny beach town a short train ride away with beautiful clear water and soft pale sand. Once you’re back in the city, take a wander through the Gothic Quarter – there are fantastic free guides which show you the history literally carved into the stones of every street.
Best place to eat/drink: First things first, I recommend heading to El Vaso De Oro, ordering a large glass of one of their Barcelona brewed beers at the beautiful antique bar and hoovering up all the tapas. You will not regret a single dish or a second spent with their hilarious waiters, it’s just that good. If you fancy a walk/waddle after that, head to Antic Teatre in the Gothic Quarter, a beautiful arts venue which serves incredibly cheap drinks in an open air courtyard beneath a sprawling tree. I did indulge in one really "romantic" meal (this was meant to be a classy trip after all), sharing a paella at sunset at Barraca, a first floor restaurant with views over the ocean.
Eve Grant, Sales & Partnerships Manager
Where I went on my holiday: Paxos, Greece
What’s the vibe? Max relaxing. Paxos is a tiny Ionian island full of friendly locals and sailors extraordinaire. There are three main towns on the island with lots of tavernas, restaurants, beautiful harbours and local cats. Gaios was my favourite – it's a really pretty port with such a lovely atmosphere in the evening as people stroll about picking where to eat.
Best thing to do? For the bluest water you will ever see get a boat to Antipaxos for a day. It’s so beautiful and clear, I would recommend purchasing a snorkelling set – I got hours of entertainment living my best Scuba Steve life. Walk up to Bella Vista Restaurant on the island for a drink and incredible views from the top.
Best place to eat/drink:Pan & Theo in Gaios – get the tuna. Ben's Bar in Monodendri beach has a nice set-up for daytime chills and lunch; also if you eat or drink there, you can use their kayaks and paddle boards for free – win!
Photo: Courtesy of Eve GrantSarah Raphael, Editor at Large
Where I went on my holiday: Golden Triangle, India
What’s the vibe? My parents have always dreamed of seeing the Taj Mahal. Worryingly, they've said it’s the last item on their bucket list. So away we went on a family holiday to the Golden Triangle, which spans Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The vibe, for us, was a lot of air-conditioned buses, more beautiful palaces than you could dream of, home-cooked dinner with Indian families discussing politics and culture in their houses, rug shopping in Jaipur, lots of teas and curries, monkeys, tired-looking elephants and aggressive haggling. I remember the sounds, smells, colours and dry heat. I’m going back the next chance I get.
Best thing to do? Book the earliest Taj Mahal time slot you can. We were in the grounds by 6am and it was surprisingly quiet and serene. Other than that obvious attraction, rug shopping in Jaipur was great – but be warned, they give you some mega strong alcohol before dazzling you with rugs, to entice you to buy. Indeed I was pissed and dazzled and purchased a bright pink rug for my flat (Jaipur is nicknamed the 'Pink City' on account of its pink buildings) from a family-run company which is part of a co-operative, and I love it.
Best place to eat/drink: We tended to just eat in hotels to avoid Delhi belly, but obviously, we still all got Delhi belly. But we had an especially lovely drink at the Oberoi in Jaipur.
Liv Santner, Picture Intern
Where I went on my holiday: Chefchaouen, Morocco
What’s the vibe? Chefchaouen is a very, very chill place in comparison to its sisters, Marrakesh and Fez. It is known as the 'Blue City', since all the walls, floors and roofs are painted blue and white – for religious reasons over aesthetics but beautiful nonetheless. (Someone told me the reasoning behind the blue was to keep the mosquitoes away and naturally, I believed it.) As you walk through the small streets there is a sensory overload with the smell of tagine, the sight of beautiful clothing and rugs and the sound of the locals chatting over mint tea. The town is situated in the Rif mountains so you're surrounded by beautiful hiking opportunities. Get out of the town as much as you can or even stay in an ecolodge in the mountains!
Best thing to do? I’ve never been into tours so we found our own way into the mountains with a local van. If this isn’t for you, talk to your hotel or Airbnb host and they will set you up with a day trip. Talassemtane is a beautiful national park, home to the famous God's Bridge and crystal clear waterfalls. You can spend all day lounging on a rock and taking multiple dips in the turquoise water. My advice would be to walk as far as you can and you'll find quieter spots to bathe. Dine in one of the restaurants that sit on the sides of the river.
Best place to eat/drink: Restaurant Bab Ssour. It is ridiculous how many times we ate here, at least once or twice per day. The rooftop has an amazing view, where you can happily sit for hours eating beautiful tagine, fried eggplant and drinking endless tea.
Anna Jay, Art Director
Where I went on my holiday: Tokyo, Japan
What’s the vibe? Tokyo is beautiful, with lovely people and quirks on every street corner. There's so much to see and do in Tokyo; each neighbourhood has its own identity and you really have to pick and choose what to prioritise as you can end up with a neverending list. It's not as expensive as people say it is, but make sure to sort your accommodation well in advance as that's what will cost you.
Best thing to do? We decided against the big sightseeing and urban central spots, but spent a lot of time in the parks around the city. We were lucky enough to catch the cherry blossom in full bloom so wanted to enjoy this by wandering around and taking photos. Taking some time out of the city is recommended – I visited Hakone in Fuji-Hakone-Izu national park, where you can get great views of Mount Fuji, stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan and try out the natural hot springs (onsen) typical of this area. Back in Tokyo, stop off at Kappabashi, a shopping street loaded with amazing Japanese ceramics and kitchenware – just be sure you have space to take lots home!
Best place to eat/drink: Obviously you must eat ramen and sushi in Japan. There are places everywhere; Google Maps gives good recommendations. We spent a few nights in Nakameguro, a really cool neighbourhood in the southwest of the city. There’s a tiny restaurant nearby called Grigio, serving fusion (bear with me) Japanese/European food which was incredible. Next door there’s a microbrewery called Spring Valley which is perfect for a few drinks. After dinner, make sure to hit up some of the city’s arcades and head straight for the photo booths. Endless fun.
Laurene Mpia, Associate Production Manager
Where I went on my holiday: Cuba
What’s the vibe? Everything in Cuba was interesting: the culture, the people, the architecture, the cars, the food, the country itself. I was with a team of people who knew the whole island so they took me to the best spots around La Havana. As expected, the people are lovely and always willing to help you. It was very easy to have interesting conversations with them about different cultures and traditions. The beaches I went to (Santa Maria, Jibacoa and the Soroa waterfall) were beyond beautiful and almost empty – perfect for a beach day. The architecture is amazing and music is everywhere all the time. I danced all day long until we got to a bar with live Cuban music and were then surprised with a tour of Havana in an old American car.
Best thing to do? The Soroa waterfall. It’s approximately two hours' drive from La Havana. On a hot day (which is every day in Cuba) we'd go there and, because it’s hidden by trees, it wouldn’t be too hot and we were able to enjoy fresh juices made on the spot and have a swim.
Best place to eat/drink: It’s very common in Cuba that people invite you to their houses to have food. People usually eat the same things: rice and beans, with meat or fish. A lot of people pre-warned me that food wasn’t amazing in Cuba but I had a blast. I would also suggest La Guarida restaurant – the building itself is breathtaking and the food is absolutely divine. (Yes, Beyoncé had dinner there when she visited Havana, but that’s just a small detail…)
Photo: Courtesy of Laurene MpiaEffy Okogba, Executive Group Director, International Sales
Where I went on my holiday: Paphos, Cyprus
What’s the vibe? #Aphroditesgaff. Paphos offers visitors the chance to experience life just like the Greek gods and goddesses did. Which is to say that it is a safe space where you can eat, drink and sunbathe until you pass out...without judgement.
Best thing to do? If, like me, you only take one break all week from gorging on all the delicious bread, olives and other Cypriot mezze, then you must visit the Paphos Archaeological Park. Located in the new(er) section of the city by the harbour, the park contains excavations of the most beautiful and elaborate ancient villas, all with superb preserved mosaic floors. Do remember, though, that the gods have not bestowed on you the ability to repel sun rays – the walk around the park takes over two hours if you're doing it properly, so you will need to wear SPF 50 to avoid spending the entire following day inside, slathering on after-sun!
Best place to eat/drink: For an authentic meal, without a doubt the best place to eat in Paphos is the Windmill restaurant in Kato Pafos. Run by a local Cypriot family (the dad is the chef, and siblings the wait staff), it offers unforgettable service and the kind of Cypriot food your mama doesn’t know how to make. It’s delicious, made with love and never stops reappearing on your plate. I have never been so happily overfed in my life. An honourable mention to the several restaurants situated inside my hotel Almyra and its sister hotel Annabelle – delicious but spenny!
Natasha Slee, Social Media Manager
Where I went on my holiday: Naples, Italy
What’s the vibe?: Loud, manic, but vibrant and so much fun. In January the year seemed to stretch ahead of us with depressingly few plans. So we booked a long weekend to Naples for the first weekend of March. We were feeling seriously jaded about going but Naples soon kicked us into gear, with its whizzing mopeds, cramped streets, loud Italian grandmas and Aperol on every corner.
Best thing to do? Take a break from the craziness with a walk around the incredibly peaceful Naples Botanical Garden. It was like hitting the reset button. Set aside a day for Pompeii if you can. Take the Circumvesuviana commuter train to Pompeii Scavi, bypass everyone trying to sell you tickets/guides at the station, and walk straight to the site entrance to buy your ticket. Don’t buy the expensive audio guides – they’re rubbish – and download the free Rick Steves podcast instead to guide you around. Make sure you bring bottled water, as there’s little shade.
Best place to eat/drink: Arancini and other deep-fried snacks from vendors all along Spaccanapoli. Refresh throughout the day with an Aperol Spritz.
Kara Kia, Editorial Intern
Where I went on my holiday: Knokke, Belgium
What’s the vibe? The locals call it the French Riviera of Belgium. Expect an affluent crowd biking, tanning and sipping rosé on the beach. It is a bit pricey, but there are definitely some reasonable eats and although Flemish and French are the languages of choice, it's easy to get around as a native English speaker.
Best thing to do? The market is a treat on Wednesday and Saturday mornings – you can shop for fresh produce, pistolets (traditional Brussels bread rolls), meats, cheeses, waffles and koffiekoeken (Danish pastries).
Best place to eat/drink: Bike over to one of the many beach bars, rent a sun lounger (€8-€10) and soak up the sunshine. Be sure to try the ice cream at Cremerie de la Poste – the chocolate ice cream is a local favourite. For Belgians, Fridays are Fried-days. If you have any space left after your moules-frites, sample some deep-fried Belgian street food at a Frituur – just don't ask what's in the meat.
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