Dreaming of the sun: readers look ahead to summer holidays in Europe and beyond
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From Turkey’s turquoise waters to a Corsican beach village, our tipsters’ thoughts turn to warmer climes in the months ahead. Santa Lucia, on Sardinia’s north-east coast and part of the Siniscola municipality, has lovely beach bars, restaurants and coffee shops, yet doesn’t seem to be overrun by visitors. The village was founded centuries ago as a fishing community. No cruise ships stop here and its beaches are backed by pine and juniper. Across the bay is a wonderful view of the island’s rugged interior. Super place.
![[Sestri Levante.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/5a6afb75e37b10fbfb5c8798cf2214b857d1aab9/0_0_5960_3577/master/5960.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Robert. The lovely beachside town of Sestri Levante, just 40 minutes on the train from Genoa, is set on two beautifully named bays: the Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fables) and the Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence). The curved, sun lounger-free beach is sheltered from wind and wild seas and is backed by some fine cafes and gelaterias, with no tacky bars in sight. Step off the beach for fruit and ice-cream at Gelato d’Altri Tempi. At lunchtime, we had the beach to ourselves. Like a scene from the Truman Show, at 1pm the locals pack up and go home for a meal and a siesta, returning at 3pm.
![[Porto village, Les Calanches, Corsica]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/5c7c7d16361a855b8b010140904bff80065ce3b2/0_0_7313_4389/master/7313.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Nick. Peaceful little Porto nestles at the craggy pink toes of the Calanques de Piana on the north-west shoulder of Corsica. Aside from the delightful pebble beach offering views of lingering sunsets with occasional dolphin sightings, there is the pretty village with restaurants that creeps up behind the beach (try L’Ora on the quayside for a sundowner and a tasty crepe or two with the all-important west-facing view), bounteous walks in the otherworldy scenery, azure natural river pools for swimming, meandering mountain roads and exhilarating boat tours. Porto is a somewhat thrilling two-hour drive from Calvi and capital city Ajaccio.
![[Datça town.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/1a27ffeb426cbf84a41d23016adb3f7b2f73a76b/0_150_4078_2447/master/4078.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
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