Beach vibes, rays of sunshine on the skin, dream beaches and casual beats - rarely has the desire for a summer getaway been as great as it is this year. Whether it's experiencing the diversity of Andalusia at the new SO/ Sotogrande Resort & Spa, immersing yourself in Slovenia's coastal towns of Portorož and Piran, enjoying Mediterranean culinary highlights at Amante Ibiza and its sister restaurant Aiyanna Ibiza, or combining city and beach holidays with the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort - Europe has numerous promising locations to offer for the summer.

Debut on the Andalusian coast: Accor luxury brand SO/ Hotels & Resorts opens in Spain

Av. Almenara, s/n, 11310 Sotogrande, Cádiz, Spain
Tel: +34 956 58 20 00

With a view of the Mediterranean Sea, the SO/ Sotogrande Resort & Spa will also be welcoming guests in Spain for the first time from spring 2021. The hotels of the lifestyle brand SO/ are known around the globe for their globally acclaimed "Just Say SO" service and stylish design. Located on the coast of Andalusia between Marbella and Gibraltar, the new resort offers 151 rooms and 24 suites and features five pools, nine restaurants, a 2,000-square-meter spa and fitness area, and approximately 1,000 square meters of meeting and event space including an "outdoor auditorium." For guests who want to explore Andalusia's diverse highlights, the nature reserves in Sotogrande or three of the world's best golf courses, which are located in the immediate vicinity of the new hotel, are recommended.

Olive oil, truffles and wine on the Slovenian Adriatic Sea

For those who yearn for Mediterranean flair and culinary treasures in historic coastal towns, we recommend Portorož and Piran in Istria, Slovenia. Linked with centuries of history, Portorož has been offering dynamic spa and bathing resorts, a marina and saltworks and thalassotherapy since the 13th century, while Piran, with its Venetian atmosphere, invites you to a city of winding streets, lively squares and artistic monuments. Gourmets have the opportunity to combine the natural landscapes with a culinary journey: In addition to a truffle hunt and guided tours of the wine cellar, Gramona is home to an olive grove - overlooking the Salines Landscape Park. Here gourmets can taste homemade olive delicacies and organic olive oil.

Beach and city holiday far from the crowds in the lagoon city at the five-star superior hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort

Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi, 41, 30126 Lido VE, Italy
Tel: +39 041 526 0201

This summer, you can probably enjoy the legendary Venice once again without the usual crowds of visitors. Due to the privileged location of the five-star superior Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort directly on the Lido of Venice, guests relax here directly on the beach in private, luxurious beach cabanas and are nevertheless in Venice's centre in 15 to 20 minutes via hotel transfer. In addition to exclusive rooms and the largest suites in all of Venice in classic Venetian style, the retreat, which has also hosted the Venice Film Festival since 1932, offers unparalleled views of the emerald Adriatic, the city and the lagoon. Culinary creations using local produce from the island of S. Erasmo, known as the "vegetable garden of Venice", are on the menu. In addition, the luxurious hotel promises maximum privacy: guests have the option of private check-in, a private butler, their own personal trainers and private beach cabanas. As a special highlight, the hotel also organizes helicopter sightseeing flights over the lagoon city.

Mediterranean lifestyle and culinary highlights at Amante and Aiyanna Ibiza

Located on a cliff overlooking Sol Den Serra Bay, the restaurant "Amante Ibiza" with rustic flair surrounded by angular rocks and lush greenery - an idyllic setting for long lunches and atmospheric dinners. The award-winning kitchen offers innovative dishes with a modern Mediterranean menu and local produce, as well as vegan creations. Evenings start with cocktails and Balearic beats at sunset, followed by an exclusive moonlight dinner. The sister restaurant "Aiyanna Ibiza", on the other hand, opened its doors in June 2017 on Cala Nova beach in the northeast of the island and embodies barefoot luxury and boho vibes: families can also spend relaxed days and evenings with live music at the all-day dining venue with award-winning healthy sharing dishes, changing pop-up food trucks and a boutique stocked with local fashion highlights.

Italian Dolce Vita in Liguria

Belmond Splendido Mare
Via Roma, 2, 16034 Portofino GE, Italy
Tel: +39 0185 267801

After extensive renovations, Splendido Mare opens this summer in Portofino's harbor. Guests can expect a mix of Ligurian colours and 1950s glamour. Carrara marble in the bathrooms and Murano glass in the lamps complete the elegant luxury. The perfect location and fusion of local culture and Italian Dolce VIta make the hotel a must-visit in summer. Art lovers will also find a specially curated art collection of Italian artists. A perfect hideaway on the Ligurian coast!

Picture Credits: SO Hotels & Resorts, Juan Sala, Cristina Garcia Lee, Jacob Riglin, Beautiful Destinations /  www.slovenia.info, Belmond