Fortified fairytales: European destinations to add to your summer bucket list

Words: Michelle Hanley

FRANCE, Carcassonne

Picture perfect, it’s little wonder this town and the castle at its heart are said to be the aesthetic inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. A stunning example of medieval architecture with jaw-dropping drawbridges, towering turrets and remarkable ramparts at every turn.

We advise you arrive by boat, sampling the spoils of Languedoc at the many notable vineyards along the banks of the river Aude. Show up hungry for fine fare, beauty and romance at Hôtel de la Cité or rest easy at the quirky-luxe, otherworldly surrounds of Château de Gudanes and you won’t be disappointed.  

YOUR PACK LIST

Echo the romance of these picturesque cobbled streets with another French design classic, broderie anglaise. Parade this balloon-sleeved creation in full glory or balance its feminine charm with a sporty indigo A-line skirt and muted baseball cap. Woven leather accessories care of Soeur and Dragon Diffusion add the perfect finishing touches to this effortless look.

GREECE, Monemvasia

Perched overlooking the Myrtoan Sea on the tied island of Peloponnese, Monemvasia was founded in the sixth century and is one of the oldest continually inhabited fortified towns in Europe. Known for its many nearby sandy beaches and the Byzantine churches along its streets, it’s the perfect meld of history and holiday.

Swap April showers for a slice of Mediterranean sunshine and sink into the relaxed Greek way of life in the peaceful surroundings of the Kinsterna Hotel. Make full use of the Byzantine hammam or opt for a treatment with products made on-site from the hotel’s harvested olive oil, rosemary, lemongrass and honey. 

YOUR PACK LIST

This is hot weather dressing at its most boho chic. Feel the breeze with this 100% muslin cotton dress with adjustable straps for the perfect fit in a range of earthy tones. Everything about this style is rose-tinted, especially the Billie glasses from Explicit Poets in stylish rectangular frames, designed in Athens.

PORTUGAL, Óbidos

The hilltop fortress of Óbidos might just be the prettiest place in Portugal, where whitewashed houses with terracotta roof tiles are neatly pegged in by its crenellated walls. Blending ancient character with creative flair, this town is not just famous for its beauty but also its bookshops, most notably the refurbished 13th-century church, Livraria de Santiago. Those with a sweet tooth will not be disappointed as this town also boasts both chocolate and Ginja de Óbidos, a sour cherry liquor, among its delicacies.

Just along the glittering Silver Coast, you’ll find a different kind of fortified town: the surf town of Ericeira, perched high above the area’s iconic wild waves. Ericeira’s trendy cafes, surf spots and boutique hotels attract distinctly cool travellers. The unpretentious 5-star offering at Immerso focuses on sustainability and attention to the small details. Breathe in the citrus- and pine-scented air by the sleek wooden poolside or take a trip to the ocean with this hotel’s in-house surf instructor Tiago Pires. 

YOUR PACK LIST

To accomplish this Portuguese shoreline’s laidback surf style, you can’t do better than this breezy net dress with a fun fringed hem. This is beachwear at its best, from hand-embroidered shorts to oversized frames inspired by the golden era of summer style.