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On the pasty-skin-scale this year, Brits are scoring high! We’ve spent all of April and much of May carrying brollies and donning wellies, so it’s little wonder that we’re longing for blue skies, meals outside and lazy days in the sun.

With this in mind, i-escape has picked its best options for early summer sun and beating the crowds, all within a few hours of the UK.

Why go?
This French Mediterranean Island is ideal in May and June as it's lovely and warm, but distinctly less crowded than July and August, when the beaches are packed with French holidaymakers, hotels fill up and prices soar. Travel before mid-June and you can take advantage of mid-season rates, too.

Where to stay?

Hotel Les Bergeries
This hotel is set above Palombaggia - Corsica’s best beach - at the foot of a forested hill with dreamy views over the water. Many of the 14 bedrooms have terraces or balconies from which to soak up the vistas, and the infinity pool faces the right way, too. In the evenings enjoy a drink on the terrace as the sun goes down and then indulge in the restaurant’s exceptional cuisine.
Doubles from £133 room per night in May, based on 2 sharing on a room-only basis (including VAT). i-escape guests also get a complimentary bottle of champagne.

La Dimora
La Dimora is the perfect small hotel for proper holiday laziness. Set in lush gardens between the hills and coast of northern Corsica near the Cap de Corse, this gorgeous 18th-century summer house has golden stone buildings, beautiful bedrooms, hammocks hanging from palm trees, and sun loungers circling a sparkling pool. The pretty seaside town of St Florent is nearby, and there are plenty of tempting restaurants up in the hills and down by the water.
Doubles from £145 per night in May, based on 2 sharing on a room-only basis (including taxes).

To view the full Corsica collection click here.



Why go?
This corner of northern Spain is a great cheap yet chic option, and very easy to reach via budget air links to Girona and Barcelona. It’s especially great for foodies with the world’s 2nd best restaurant - El Cellar de Can Roca in Girona - as well as excellent regional eateries. Young families will adore its sheltered sandy coves, and exploring by bicycle. And for art buffs there’s the Dalí Triangle to explore.

Where to stay?

Castell d'Emporda
This former crusader’s castle has been transformed into a beautiful contemporary hotel with stunning views, set in a quiet village between the Pyrenees and the Costa Brava. The food is as impressive as the setting - the chef came from a 3-starred restaurant in Holland and serves up everything from simple tapas to elaborate meals, all using the finest local ingredients. There’s also a big roof terrace, a stunning pool and 38 luxurious rooms, many with vaulted ceilings, window seats and exposed stone walls.
Doubles from £116 per night in May, based on 2 sharing on a bed and breakfast basis (8% tax not included). i-escape guests also get a complimentary luxury olive-oil soap.

Hotel del Teatre
This gorgeous hotel is set in a tiny medieval village near Begur, deep in Dalí country. A favourite with the Barcelona elite, it’s a fabulous marriage of urban chic and ancient charm. The 7 rooms are pared back and luxurious, while the pool terrace, garden and balconies outside are draped in tumbling bougainvillea. The super-stylish restaurant is located in the village’s old theatre and serves up wonderful Mediterranean fare.
Doubles from £104 per night in May, based on 2 sharing on a bed and breakfast basis (including taxes). i-escape guests receive a warm welcome with Cava or wine, plus chocolates and candles.

Or there’s the wallet-friendly small and chic Casa Migdia near Girona, where a double room starts from £60 a night so you can save some Euros to splurge on dinner!

To view the full Catalonia collection click here.



Why go?
Lying far south, this Italian island has a better chance of good weather than more northern destinations, but in May and June it’s less stiflingly hot than North Africa and the Canaries. Plus there’s something to please everyone - beautiful beaches, pretty Baroque towns, Greek temples for history buffs, and delicious food.

Where to stay?

Relais Parco Cavalonga
Good for couples or families, this bolthole consists of chic self-catering apartments sleeping 2-7 and a delightful small hotel. It’s lovely and quiet, tucked away in a pretty valley, but perfectly situated for southern Sicily’s best sights. The 7 spacious and modern apartments and 15 hotel rooms are sufficiently spread out among olive and carob trees to give both privacy and lovely views; some even glimpse the distant sea. Furnishings are elegant and simple in strong plain colours, fine art on the walls is bold but always harmonious, and the beds are superb. There are many restaurants in Ragusa, and exquisite seafood is a short drive away in coastal towns.
Doubles from £96 per night in May, based on 2 sharing on a bed and breakfast basis (including taxes). i-escape guests get a bottle of wine at the time of stay.

Click here to view the full Sicily collection.



Why go?
One of our fastest-growing collections, Turkey just keeps opening great new places to stay. The Turquoise Coast does what it says on the packet, and with temperatures already hitting 30 degrees centigrade, there’s no finer place for cooling dips in the sea.

Where to stay?

Med-Inn
A well-kept secret, Med-Inn is a serene boutique hotel just 40 minutes from Bodrum, with a private beach and stunning views over the Bay of Gulluk. Set within lush gardens, the hotel is quiet, laid-back and family-friendly. Accommodation is in spacious suites, all uniquely designed with lovely living areas; the restaurant serves up fresh local seafood and Mediterranean dishes, along with fantastic views.
Doubles from £109 per night in May, based on 2 sharing on a bed and breakfast basis (including taxes). i-escape guests get a free room upgrade, subject to availability on arrival

To view the full Turkey collection click here.



Why go?
The Cyclades Islands are perfect in early summer - warm but not too hot, with quiet beaches. There are some fantastic hideaways to suit all tastes and budgets, including Pino di Loto on Syros and Hideaway Houses on Santorini. Plus there are some good deals in Greece at the moment.

Where to stay?

Onar, Andros (7 nights for 6)
The northernmost of the Cyclades islands, Andros is a real hidden gem - rugged and wild with unspoilt beaches and a peaceful, friendly atmosphere. Onar, meaning ‘dream’ in Ancient Greek, is a collection of 9 traditional stone houses right on a secluded cove on the east coast of the island. The real luxury is the location and simplicity - follow the river valley down to the picturesque beach, enjoy delicious fresh food and revel in complete relaxation.
Doubles from £138 per night in May, based on 2 sharing a 1-bedroom house on a bed and breakfast basis (including taxes). i-escape guests get a bottle of raki (Greek grappa).

Kavos Naxos, Naxos (10% discount in early June)
This small resort overlooking the sandy sweep of Ayios Prokopios has secluded studios, a sleek swimming pool and spadefuls of style. Gardens are rampantly exotic, and we love the spacious Cyc-chic interiors and the private verandas, which look down across sparkling seas to neighbouring Paros. It's impeccably run and very fairly priced. All of which, for a couple or family seeking a tranquil and stylish island escape, puts it squarely at the top of the pile.
Prices from £76 per night in May, based on 2 people sharing a 1-bedroom house on a bed and breakfast basis (including taxes). Get a 10% discount on bookings made before 10th June (5-night minimum stay applies; valid 1 June 2012 - 15 June 2012).

To view the full Greece collection click here.