Get away for fewer than 8,000 Avios
Looking for holiday inspiration? Whether you want to escape the heat or embrace it, fly to beach destinations and historic cities for fewer than 8,000 Avios.
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1 Naples
Naples combines history and archaeology with elegant beaches and world-class gastronomy. Fly from just 8,000 Avios one way and explore a city full of contrasts, captured so brilliantly by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino. Bask in the faded elegance of the famous Piazza del Plebiscito and Galleria Umberto I, then move on to the Quartieri Spagnoli, with its deeply rooted Neapolitan way of life, where Maradona is still revered. Enjoy the original Margherita pizza at its birthplace, Brandi, immerse yourself in the Amalfi Coast or visit dream destinations such as Sorrento and Capri to holiday like an emperor or a celebrity. Finally, discover Pompeii and Herculaneum, two cities frozen in time.
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2 Faro
The capital of Portugal’s Algarve region, Faro, which you can fly to from 4,750 Avios one way, combines a stunning natural setting with a historic centre of remarkable richness. Explore its Roman walls and the Vila Adentro, whose historic streets are home to landmarks such as the Capela dos Ossos, an impressive bone chapel, and gastronomic destinations such as Alameda, a Michelin-starred restaurant that combines the region’s culinary roots with refined contemporary techniques. The highlight is the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a system of islands and salt marshes with extraordinary wildlife, including flamingos, eagles, storks and falcons, as well as some of Portugal’s finest beaches. The best known is Praia de Faro, thanks to its easy access from the city centre; the wildest is Ilha Deserta, perfect for switching off completely; and the most picturesque is Ilha da Culatra, home to a fishing village that can be reached by ferry.
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3 Split
On Croatia’s southern Dalmatian coast, the charming city of Split awaits from 8,000 Avios one way. The city grew around Diocletian’s Palace, where the Roman emperor returned to spend his final years after retiring from public life, and it remains the heart of Split to this day. It is also a destination perfectly suited for a summer retreat. If you’re seeking sun and sand, don’t miss the iconic Bačvice Beach, just a few minutes from the city centre, with its sandy shore and lively atmosphere that lasts well into the night. To discover a natural treasure, head for Bene Beach, on the northern shore of Marjan Forest, where crystal-clear waters wash right up to the roots of the trees. If you’re visiting Split this July, the Ultra Europe festival is bringing some of the world’s top DJs to the city, including Calvin Harris and Miss Monique. To round it all off, there’s the food. Enjoy Krug, the city’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, where you can sample local produce while interacting with the chefs in its open kitchen.
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4 Hamburg
For an urban getaway, fly to Hamburg, the Venice of the North, from 8,000 Avios one way, and discover a city far from the summer heat, with eclectic architecture and a way of life shaped by the River Elbe. It’s home to Germany’s largest port and one of the busiest in the world. Its streets combine the imposing 19th-century warehouse district of Speicherstadt with the futuristic architecture of the Chilehaus and HafenCity, while many museums await, such as the Hamburger Kunsthalle, home to Wanderer above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich, the most famous work of German Romanticism, as does the Elbphilharmonie, which offers a special summer programme. And Hamburg also has a beach. Stretching for around 13km along the banks of the Elbe and overlooking the harbour, it features a promenade lined with sand dunes and a long list of urban beach clubs, such as Sonnendeck St Pauli, perfect for soaking up the sun. Although swimming in the Elbe is not permitted for safety reasons, the picturesque beaches of the Baltic Sea are just over an hour from the city centre.
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5 Geneva
Geneva, a small city with a big personality, which you can fly to from 4,750 Avios one way, lies at the western tip of Switzerland, just a short distance from the French border. It takes on a different character when summer arrives. Snowmelt from the Alps feeds Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Western Europe, which is home to the Jet d’Eau, a spectacular fountain whose water reaches heights of up to 140m and has become the city’s symbol. Enjoy the Bains des Pâquis and take a swim on the southeastern shore of Lake Geneva, where you can also make use of the hammam, sauna and Turkish bath, take part in sports classes, enjoy live music or attend film screenings – all in the same place. Also visit Mont Salève. Although it is located in French territory, you can reach the cable car station in just 20 minutes from the centre of Geneva. Once at the top, its observatory offers views of Mont Blanc.
