Last-minute summer holiday ideas

Simon Calder’s Travel Week [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE: £20 FOR 1 YEAR]( August 06, 2023 [View in browser](   SIMON CALDER’S TRAVEL WEEK [The Independent]( [The Independent]( This week I launched a brand new newsletter, exclusive to subscribers of The Independent. It’s called [Ask Me Anything]( and it gives you the chance to have your travel questions answered by me. To receive Ask Me Anything, along with unlimited access to Premium insight, ad-free reading, the daily edition newspaper, puzzles and more, [subscribe today for just £20 for one year](.   The school holidays may be well under way, but that doesn't mean a last-minute break is out of reach. [We're all going on a summer holiday: You could head to the Italian lakes this month]( If you fancy travelling this month and escaping the as-yet-to-make-an-appearance Great British summertime, there are still options. Here's our pick of [August holidays to book now](, or get some destination inspiration with this selection of [places to head to during the height of summer](. If you've left renewing your passport to the last minute, meanwhile, [read our handy guide]( on how long you need left before expiry for it to be valid. Or if you'd prefer to swerve peak travel time, have a gander at the [best September breaks]( – and swap back-to-school for lounging-by-pool. French connections Fares on some imminent UK-France flights are very low. The cheapest is £40 return on Ryanair from Liverpool to Beauvais – handy for Amiens and Compiegne, and 75 minutes by train to Paris Nord (pictured). Out Saturday 12 August, back Friday 18 August. [FRANCE TRAVEL GUIDE](france-country-guide-travel-holiday-b2135737.html) [Isles of Scilly]( Madeira menu Madeira is the optimum location for a low-cost mid-August city break. British Airways Holidays is selling a three-night stay at the three-star Eurohotel from London Heathrow on Friday 18 August for £297 per person, including baggage. [BEST MADEIRA HOTELS]( [Save on a budget-friendly luxury holiday]( Get up to 25% off (plus an extra 10% off) last-minute holidays staying at Barceló hotels Set sail on a tour of Croatia's coastline]( Visit charming towns, picture-perfect islands and historic sites on this eight-day trip in August [Get £50 off bookings over £800 at TUI]( The offer applies to 2024 bookings on TUI holidays. Use code NEXTSUMMER Enjoy a year of unlimited digital access for just £99 £20 ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more [SUBSCRIBE NOW]( Destinations September sun Enjoy an Indian summer at one of these literal holiday hotspots where you can still catch some rays in shoulder season. [GET INSPIRED]( Focus on Malta holidays Our pick of packages to this Mediterranean island nation, including the best Valletta stays and Gozo getaways. [WHERE TO STAY]( With excellent weather well into autumn, the end of summer can be an ideal time to visit Malta Natalie Wilson Travel writer Hotels Lazing in Lanzarote Where to stay on the easternmost Canary Island, famed for its volcanoes, lava fields and black-sand beaches. [BOOK NOW]( UK travel Adventure calling The best holidays in the UK that adrenaline seekers will love, from tackling the Three Peaks to scuba diving seal safaris. [READ MORE]( [Top hotels in Copenhagen: Where to stay for a stylish city break in the capital]( [The best of Kefalonia: Explore the island made famous by Captain Corelli]( [Why Jordan should be your next break: From exploring ancient sites in Amman to visiting a Crusader castle and swimming in hot springs](   [The 11 best inflatable kayaks for exploring rivers, lakes and the sea on your summer 2023 adventures]( [SHOP NOW]( [These 16 stylish cool bags and ice boxes are perfect for summer picnics and camping trips]( [SHOP NOW](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [Climate News]( Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle [Join now]( [IndyEats]( IndyEats Every Saturday, 7am (UK time) Written by Hannah Twiggs [Join now]( [Climate News] Climate News Every Friday, 12pm (UK time) Written by Louise Boyle [Join now]( [IndyEats] IndyEats Every Saturday, 7am (UK time) Written by Hannah Twiggs [Join now](   The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge]( and the [National Domestic Abuse Helpline](: 0808 2000 247 If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. 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