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Where sunseekers should go next ...
There's no need to pack away your flip-flops when the current hot spell comes to an end. With an eye on the average August temperatures around the globe, here's how to prolong your time in the sun
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First of all, let's get a sense of perspective. For many, it's been stifling for the past week – so what about an Alpine break in Austria? August means a good chance of decent weather in Saalbach in the Glemm Valley. Inghams (01483 791114; inghams.co.uk) is offering a week's half-board at the Hotel Saalbacherhof from £599pp, departing 10 August, including flights from Birmingham to Salzburg and transfers.
24c
It's nice in Nice in August. The gateway to France's Mediterranean coast has plenty to offer travellers in search of a beach break. Splash out in refurbished Belle Epoque splendour on a week-long stay at the Boscolo Exedra, just 800m from the Promenade des Anglais. Expedia (020-3027 8682; expedia.co.uk) will charge you £1,211 per person for the privilege, including easyJet flights from Luton to Nice, and breakfast.
25c
Perfect kitesurfing temperatures in Lanzarote, particularly given that the water will be a wetsuit-negating 23C. Surf Lanzarote (020-8144 1035; surflanzarote.com) offers a week's self-catering in the beach resort of Famara, including a four-day introduction to kitesurfing and all equipment for €415pp during August, based on four sharing. Flights are available on Ryanair, Monarch, Jet2, easyJet and BA.
26c
If you can't stand the heat in Cagliari, Sardinia's sizzling capital, then get out of the city. Sardinian Places (0845 330 2050; sardinianplaces.co.uk/del-sole) is offering a week-long stay at the two-bedroom villa Casa del Sole in Quartu Sant'Elena, Southern Sardinia, from £844pp, based on four sharing, and including return flights from Stansted to Cagliari, car hire and a welcome pack. The villa's pool may prove useful.
27c
The Greek Islands are at their sunbleached best in August: consistently rain free, with blissful blue waters to take the edge off the heat and plenty of beaches for sunworshippers to enjoy. Thomas Cook (thomascook.com) offers a week's all-inclusive stay at the beachfront Sentido Lindos Bay Resort & Spa in Rhodes for £738pp, including return flights from Newcastle and transfers, departing 7 August.
28c
Bodrum bakes in the summer heat, so it makes sense to mess around on the waters of Turkey's Lycian Coast. Neilson (0844 879 8155; neilson.co.uk) has a week's Stay and Sail Holiday at its resort in Adakoy near Bodrum for £2,000pp, including flights from Manchester, Luton or Gatwick, transfers, accommodation on a club board basis with sailing, windsurfing, RYA dinghy sailing and windsurfing tuition.
29c
Something a little more intense? Head to hectically hot Marrakech. A long weekend at the central, quietly elegant Riad Farnatchi from 9-12 August costs from 6800 dirham (£527) for a double room with breakast. There's even a small pool to keep you cool. Book through i-escape (0117-946 7072; i-escape.com). Flights to this Moroccan jewel are available from easyJet, British Airways and Ryanair.
36c
Dubai in August? Fighting talk. You'll need air conditioning to cope, and ideally a waterslide or two. Try Atlantis, the outrageously luxurious hotel that dominates The Palm. Take your pick from 1,539 rooms and 20 restaurants and go for a splash in the adjacent Aquaventure Waterpark. British Airways (0844 493 0787; ba.com) will fly you there from Heathrow on 25 August for two nights at a cost of £876pp, half board.
39c
Want to see what a summer World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will feel like? Head to Doha in August, where the only reason jumpers are used for goalposts is that you'd collapse from heat exhaustion if you were wearing one. ebookers (020-3320 3320; ebookers.com) offers three nights at the Doha Hilton for £1,018pp including breakfast and flights with Qatar Airways from Heathrow. Departs 17 August.
40c
Death Valley. High summer. The sane advice is: just don't go there. However, plenty of sunseekers do. Earlier this month marked the centenary of the day Death Valley posted the hottest temperature recorded on Earth (56.7C). Virgin Holidays (0844 557 3859; virginholi days.co.uk) offers a week in California, with three nights in Death Valley from £1,189pp, including flights to LA, accommodation and car hire. Departs 27 August.
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