While bank holiday weekends and extra days to spend with family and friends are always welcome, disappointing weather, uninspiring activities and the inevitable bank holiday traffic jams can sometimes dishearten plans. With so many colourful and charismatic destinations only a short flight away, why stay at home? We've chosen a few favourites to share, but there are plenty more short-haul sojourns waiting to be discovered.
![Cathedral Santa Maria Del Fiore in Florence]()
Cathedral Santa Maria Del Fiore in Florence
Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Approximate Flight Time from London: 2 Hours 15 Minutes
The elegant Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte Hotel invites you to discover historical Florence, located at the city's beating heart near the famous Duomo. When you can bare to tear yourself away from your plush, Olga Polizzi-designed room, head out and explore the beauty of the Birthplace of the Renaissance, from the famous Uffizi Gallery to the heights of Piazzale Michelangelo. Pack light, you'll need room in your suitcase for souvenirs and new purchases from Florence's fabulous shopping scene, featuring luxury boutiques, open-air markets and renowned designer brands.
Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa
Approximate Flight Time from London: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Between the UNESCO World Heritage Tramuntana mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa is a hilltop enclave equally suited for a chilled-out couples weekend or an adventure-filled few days as a family. Whether it's hiking or cycling the stunning Sóller Valley, chartering a private boat to explore the secluded caves nearby or simply detoxing in the Talise Spa while little ones discover the Barbaroja's Kids' Club, there is something for every type of weekend traveller to relish.
Nobu Hotel Marbella
Approximate Flight Time from London: 3 Hours
Looking for a weekend with friends? Look no further than Nobu Hotel Marbella. A short three-hour flight and you have arrived in a destination that has much more to offer than just glamorous bars and bustling nightlife. The charismatic Old Town shouldn't be overlooked, featuring flower-filled plazas and narrow cobbled streets, while only 15 minutes away you'll find Puerto Banus, with unparalleled gastronomy and designer shopping.
Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech
Approximate Flight Time from London: 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Although located a 20-minute drive from Marrakech's beguiling medina, Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech is a place to experience a genuine, down-to-earth encounter with Morocco. A weekend spent at this decadent hideaway at the foot of the Atlas Mountains will help you reconnect with the simple pleasures of life. As you laze by the glistening swimming pool, dine upon tantalising feast-like cuisine or tee-off at the diligently designed golf course, it is impossible not to feel awe-struck by just how mesmerising Morocco truly is.
![Service at Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech]()
Service at Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech
Mandarin Oriental Bodrum
Approximate Flight Time from London: 4 Hours
In Turkey's picture-perfect Paradise Bay, Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum has a magical mix of ingredients for a sun-drenched wellness weekend. The three-storey, 2,700m² spa allows travellers embark on a tailor-made treatment journey, including massages, facials and traditional Turkish Hammams, with the chance to also relish saunas, steam rooms and swimming pools. Depart the spa and stroll towards one of the resort's two private beaches, where you can spend your day lazing in a private cabana, or explore offshore with scuba-diving, standup paddle-boarding and jet skis.