Long days with the sun stretching late into the evening. Lazing on the beach after slow lunches of fresh seafood dressed with olive oil and lemon. Following unmarked paths off the map to beautiful views and empty coves. Spontaneous encounters with locals in sleepy villages. Flavourful fruits and vegetables glowing in the sun, releasing their scent into the warm air. The shimmer of the sea, glistening like a sheet of aluminium. The smell of salty air and sun cream.
We wait for this all year long – the glorious European summer – dreaming of islands, little taverns, golden bays, olive groves, and charming hilltop villages. In recent years, however, it has felt as though the Mediterranean in summer has become more crowded than ever. One by one, once low-key destinations are discovered – and for good reason, of course.
While everyone flocks to the coasts of Italy, Spain, France, and Greece during these peak months, we look to quieter alternatives to our favourite European destinations, where we can still enjoy a moment to ourselves while embracing a slower, easier Mediterranean way of life.
Reschio Hotel, Italy
Dating back to 1050, this historic family estate – now part hotel – on the hills of Lisciano Niccone in Umbria provides a quintessentially Italian refuge for the summer. It is tucked away from Tuscany’s busier pockets and yet still within easy reach for those wanting to make day trips to beautiful villages. Lago Trasimeno is also within striking distance for swims and stops in lakeside towns, if you can tear yourself away from Reschio’s pretty curved pool, sunk into the lawn beneath mature pines.
Domaine de Manville, France
Located in the cooler, mountainous Alpilles Nature Reserve in the Provençal countryside, Domaine de Manville’s location offers the best of both worlds: seaside and culture. To the south, the sea is only around a 30-minute drive away, while to the north and west lie the beautiful riverside towns of Avignon and Arles, home to some of the best food, wine, markets, and art in France. The hotel has a sprawling pool, spa, and gardens, spaciously spread across the 100-acre estate so there is plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy quiet moments.
Boutique Hotel Alhambra, Croatia
If you’re set on an island holiday this summer, the peaceful Croatian island of Lošinj is the answer. Long known for its wellness tourism – it is often called the “Island of Vitality” – Lošinj is surrounded by the Adriatic Sea for perfect swims and has notably clean air and a calm, laid-back atmosphere. The island is also home to colourful coastal towns, pretty promenades, and lively harbours worth exploring. Check into Boutique Hotel Alhambra for a peaceful luxury retreat that captures the best of island life. Set on the shores of Čikat Bay, the hotel is housed within a beautifully restored Austro-Hungarian villa dating back to the early 20th century.
Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa, Italy
Originally a 19th-century villa, this neoclassical beauty is a classic Lake Como stay, where there are still plenty of low-key towns, villages, and beaches to explore away from the typical tourist trail in summer. Backed by forested mountains and facing the calm waters of the lake, the hotel has kept its historic bones intact – ornate chandeliers, classical columns, frescoes, and ceiling roses – paired with modern furnishings and comforts for the best of both worlds. The grand dame hotel sits on the doorstep of Menaggio for strolls, people-watching, and days spent gently moving through time. Morning hikes, boat trips around the lake, and visits to immaculate villas from another era, such as Villa Carlotta, are all within easy reach.
Foxhill Manor, United Kingdom
The atmosphere at Foxhill Manor feels like staying at your most stylish friend’s country retreat in the Cotswolds. Located on the Farncombe Estate above Broadway, the Grade II-listed manor has just eight suites, each individually styled with roll-top baths and antiques, alongside sweeping views across the gardens and rolling countryside. Spend balmy summer days enjoying long picnics beneath mature trees, playing tennis and croquet, wandering through wildflower meadows, or heading out to nearby villages and cosy pubs. The English countryside feels especially idyllic in summer.
Euphoria Retreat, Greece
While crowds pour into the Cyclades, the immensely beautiful Peloponnese region of Greece remains relatively under-the-radar during summer. The area has some of the best beaches in Greece, as well as historic stone-built villages that feel entirely distinct from the white-and-blue vernacular of the islands. Beneath the Byzantine ruins of Mystras – a fortified town now operating as an open-air museum – sits Euphoria Retreat, a wellness hotel set within quiet, fertile countryside. The cooler mountain air, authentic surrounding villages, and serene pools and gardens make Euphoria an ideal alternative Greek summer escape.
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