DESTINATIONS COOLCATIONS | SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
LIKE THIS? MALAGA
Frequently hailed as one of Europe’s sunniest cities, with more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Malaga offers an irresistible blend of culture and coast. It has a vibrant mix of museums, historic architecture and art galleries – not surprising for Pablo Picasso’s birthplace – as well as delicious seafood. This diversity also extends to its coast, where clients can find everything from secluded coves to urban beaches.
GALICIA
We say: Galicia’s verdant nature and deep-rooted traditions – capital Santiago de Compostela (pictured) is the end point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route – are a stark key change from Spain’s sun-baked south. Clients will still find tasty tapas and an incredible array of fish and seafood, though, thanks to the cool Atlantic currents that keep its waters particularly well stocked. The appetite is there for travellers too, with 108,000 British visitors to Galicia in 2025 – a 47% rise on 2024 – as part of a wider increase in travel to northern Spain. They say: Marcelle Hoff, managing director at Expressions Holidays, says: “The switch from hot to ‘cool’ has been a growing trend over the last few years and one we’ve been championing for a long time. As a result, we have a substantial programme in northern Spain, the Swiss Alps, Italian mountains and Norway. These places are less busy but offer a splendid sense of freedom with open space, fresh air and authentic charm.” Book it: Expressions Holidays offers a 10-night Follow the Way of St James fly-drive tour. Prices start at £2,220 per person, based on two sharing, including accommodation with breakfast, flights and car hire.
expressionsholidays.co.uk
TRY THIS SICILY
Mount Etna dominates the Sicilian skyline, with its steep slopes and snow-capped cone visible from many places on the island – including Taormina, an upscale beach resort featured in the second series of The White Lotus. However, the mountains and seaside aren’t the only things that attract clients; Sicily’s array of historic landmarks, from Norman cathedrals to ancient Greek temples, come in abundance.
LAKE COMO
We say: Lake Como (pictured), the jewel in the Italian Lakes’ crown, won’t be unfamiliar to clients – but the peaks that frame it will remind them of the dramatic scenery in the south of Italy. Como’s neoclassical villas and charming lakeside towns offer James Bond-esque vibes, setting clients up perfectly for a twin- centre trip alongside glamorous Milan, about an hour’s drive south. Suggest clients explore the lake’s namesake city, harbouring a Gothic cathedral, medieval old town and silk-making heritage. They say: Heather Green, head of product at Citalia, says: “Northern Italy is a fantastic option for those seeking the same cultural charm and energy of southern Italy. The lakes region offers not only a cooler climate, but a more languid pace of life. Many have been inspired by this year’s Winter Olympic and Paralympics – as a result, we’ve seen some interest sparked for northern Italy, including Lake Como and Milan.” Book it: Citalia’s seven-night Lake Como and Milan tour starts at £1,595 per person, based on a July 3 departure. The price includes five nights’ accommodation in Lake Como, two nights’ accommodation in Milan (both with breakfast), flights from Gatwick and private transfers.
citalia.com
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travelweekly.co.uk
23 APRIL 2026
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PICTURES: Shutterstock/Armando Oliveira, Pedro Magrod, Leonid Sorokin, Wirestock Creators
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