late summer sun

Summer may be drawing to a close here in Ireland, but in many European destinations, it’s still in full swing. Late August and September are great times to visit these places. They’re not as busy. The weather is not quite so hot, being in the pleasant 20s rather than the uncomfortable 30s.  And it’s a particularly good time for holidays for retired couples, or others not travelling with children. So, if you’re looking for some late summer sun, here’s our list of some places to consider:

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Any of the Canary Islands would tick this box, but Tenerife is probably most popular with Irish visitors. It’s famed for its beautiful coastline and beaches, but you should also take a day to travel inland to visit Anaga Rural Park, which two years ago was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Another highlight is the cable car to the top of Mount Teide – Spain’s highest mountain, and a UNESCO Heritage site. And if you like fine dining, Tenerife has four Michelin Star restaurants to choose from. Average daytime temperatures are 26° in August and 24° in September.

Alicante, Spain

If you’re thinking of the Spanish mainland, then Alicante is a great bet. It’s well served from Irish airports by both Aer Lingus and Ryanair,  and a cool sea breeze from the Mediterranean makes it pleasant rather than sweltering to explore. The Old Town has many marvellous historic buildings and convivial places to eat and drink, and the family-friendly beach at Playa Postiguet is one of the best in all of Spain.

Again, average daytime temperatures are 26° in August and 24° in September.

Valetta, Malta

Malta is a popular destination for older couples in particular, and its tiny capital of Valetta is one of the best places to base yourself there. It’s a UNESCO site which has more historic buildings per square kilometre than any other city in Europe, with castles and fortresses galore. Other attractions are that it’s cheap to eat and drink, and that English is the first language. If you’re feeling adventurous, it’s also got some of the best scuba diving in the world, and even absolute beginners can try a dive in beautiful lagoons and around shipwrecks close to shore.

Malta is not well endowed with sandy beaches, but if you can live without those, it could be the perfect spot for you. You can expect daytime temperatures around 28° in August and 25° in September.

Rome, Italy

Finally, if a city break is more your thing, the Eternal City of Rome is a great choice for a September or even October break. The crowds are smaller, the humidity disappears, and service improves as shop and restaurant staff are less rushed – but you can still explore in temperatures of between 22° and 27°.

If you haven’t been to Rome before, then you’re in for a real treat, with so much to see and do. And even if you have, you’ll know there’s much more further exploring to do. The Vatican Museums alone could fill an entire week, if that’s your thing!


Wherever you may go for your late summer sun, make sure that you and your travelling companion(s) are carrying comprehensive Travel Insurance for the trip.

A policy with Insure My Holiday will entitle you to some of the best levels of cover at some of the best rates around, whether you choose Single Trip Travel Insurance for your holiday, or annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance, if you’re likely to do more travelling in the coming year too.

Whatever policy you choose with Insure My Holiday, you are assured of a high standard of cover at a low price.

Key benefits of our Gold Plan travel insurance

  • Medical Expenses Cover of €5 Million
  • Personal Luggage Cover of €2,000
  • Personal Money and Documents Cover of €1,600
  • Delayed Departure Cover of €200
  • Cancellation or Curtailment Cover of €4,000
  • Abandonment Cover of €4,000
  • Missed Departure Cover of €500
  • Personal Accident Cover of €55,000
  • Personal Liability Cover of €2,000,000
  • Third Party Supplier Insolvency Cover of €2,000
  • Schedule Airline Failure Cover of €1,000
  • Legal Expenses Cover of €10,000
  • Hijack Cover of €1,000
  • Catastrophe Cover of €750
  • Credit or Cash Card Fraud Cover of €300

Key benefits of our Platinum Plan travel insurance

  • Medical Expenses Cover of €10 Million
  • Personal Luggage Cover of €3,000
  • Personal Money and Documents Cover of €2,000
  • Delayed Departure Cover of €400
  • Cancellation or Curtailment Cover of €6,000
  • Abandonment Cover of €6,000
  • Missed Departure Cover of €600
  • Personal Accident Cover of €95,000
  • Personal Liability Cover of €2,000,000
  • Third Party Supplier Insolvency Cover of €2,000
  • Schedule Airline Failure Cover of €2,000
  • Legal Expenses Cover of €20,000
  • Hijack Cover of €2,000
  • Catastrophe Cover of €1,000
  • Credit or Cash Card Fraud Cover of €500

All are as generous or more generous as you will find with any other Travel Insurance provider, so it all adds up to even more great reasons to choose Insuremyholiday.ie for all your Travel Insurance needs.

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