Summer goes into extra time at these eight hideaways

Late summer happiness instead of fall blues

As the days slowly get shorter and the first leaves start to fall, sun-seekers are drawn further south. Because while autumn is knocking on the door in this country, summer is going into overtime elsewhere. Eight hand-picked hideaways reveal the best places to enjoy "chasing the sun".

1. Relais & Châteaux Museum Hotel

Cappadocia, Turkey

When colorful hot air balloons float over the volcanic landscape of Cappadocia and the sky glows orange and red, the scenery seems almost unreal. From the Relais & Châteaux Museum Hotel in Nevsehir, this spectacle can be enjoyed until November thanks to the mild temperatures. The hotel is more than just accommodation: it is a living museum with over 30,000 works of art, historic cave structures and the largest floor mosaic in the world. Rooms with an indoor pool, stone walls, carpets and art objects characterize the design. The highlight is the roof terrace with a view over the valley.

More information: www.relaischateaux.com/de/hotel/museum-hotel/

2. One&Only Aesthesis

Athens, Greece

With mild temperatures and a relaxed atmosphere, Athens is at its best in late summer. There's no rush up to the Acropolis or through the alleyways of Plaka with its bougainvillea and pastel-colored houses. The ideal starting point: the One&Only Aesthesis. Located on the Athens Riviera, it combines proximity to the city center with a retreat by the sea. The stylish Manko Beach Bar, where guests can enjoy meze, regional wines and the sunset, is the perfect place to end the day. An insider tip for anyone who wants to combine culture and relaxation.

More info: www.oneandonlyresorts.com/aesthesis

3. Son Bunyola Hotel & Villas

Mallorca, Spain

"We don't sit down to eat, but to eat together." This credo by the writer Plutarch inspires chef Brenda Lisiotti at Sa Tafona at Son Bunyola. There she presents the new Mare and Nostrum tasting menus, which celebrate Mediterranean moments of pleasure. They are based on centuries-old recipes from the region, interpreted in a modern way and always refined with the restaurant's own olive oil - a tribute to the restaurant's history as an olive mill. The "liquid gold" is considered the soul of Mediterranean cuisine. Dine on the terrace with a view of the Tramuntana mountains and you will feel that summer lasts forever at Son Bunyola.

More info: www.virginlimitededition.com/son-bunyola/

4. Relais & Châteaux Al Moudira

Luxor, Egypt

Time seems to stand still in Luxor - especially by the pool of the Relais & Châteaux Al Moudira Hotel, where palm trees provide shade and the autumn sun makes the walls and landscape glow golden. Just a few minutes from the Valley of the Kings, founder Zeina Aboukheir worked with local craftsmen in 1999 to transform the eight-hectare estate into a boutique hotel that looks like an oriental village with sand-colored domes and mashrabiya-inspired details. Spacious rooms and suites, furnished with antiques from the Middle East, are hidden between flowering gardens and courtyards. You can feel it in the hammam or garden: Time flows more slowly here, to the rhythm of the Nile.

More information: www.relaischateaux.com/de/hotel/al-moudira-hotel/

5. One&Only Portonovi

Herceg Novi, Montenegro

One&Only Portonovi is a dream destination for hiking fans and history lovers. Numerous routes lead directly from the resort through Montenegro's untouched mountains and forests. An easy, approximately 2.5 km long trail leads to the historic St. Basil's Church, from where you can explore nature even further. After hours of activity, the Chenot Espace invites you on a transformative journey: With the help of diagnostic tests, cutting-edge science and traditional Chinese medicine, personal wellbeing is given a lasting boost. At the end of the day, the Tapasake Pool Club will enchant you - with a view of the sunset and light dishes such as tuna carpaccio or deep-fried calamari.

More info: www.oneandonlyresorts.com/de/portonovi

6. Bahía del Duque

Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Where the Atlantic sets the rhythm and the streets of Puerto de la Cruz become colorful canvases, Tenerife shows its cultural diversity. The Bahía del Duque opens the doors to this world full of colors, music and stories. A highlight: the Tenerife Cook Music Fest, where international stars such as Jennifer Lopez fuse Latin beats with the sea breeze. In the alleyways of La Ranilla, street art becomes an experience - from hyper-realistic paintings to works that tell the story of the island's inhabitants. If you want to feel Tenerife's cultural heart, this is the perfect starting point.

More info: www.thetaishotels.com

7. Amirandes

Crete, Greece

If you want to give summer a few more weeks, travel to Crete - where legend has it that the sun god Zeus was born. The Dikteon Cave is located on the Lasithi plateau, the ascent to which is rewarded with magical light in late summer. Down by the sea, the Amirandes Resort, inspired by Minoan palaces and surrounded by palm trees and lagoons, awaits. Thanks to the mild climate and year-round opening, guests can still enjoy al fresco dining here even in November. A trip to Agreco Farm rounds off the experience: fresh olive oil, figs from the tree and traditional dishes full of sunshine.

More info: www.amirandes.com

8th Lošinj Hotels & Villas

Lošinj, Croatia

With over 300 days of sunshine, the Croatian island of Lošinj is one of the sunniest places in Europe. Perfect retreats are the boutique hotel Alhambra and the design hotel Bellevue, where guests can extend the fall. In October, the island opens its olive groves: visitors can experience the harvest up close, learn about traditional processing and taste freshly pressed oil. Another highlight are the 200 or so wild dolphins that live off the coast. They are particularly easy to spot in the fall, when the bays become quieter - they often silently accompany boats through Čikat Bay.

More info: www.losinj-hotels.com