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More on KentOnline
Many of us dream of taking an extended summer holiday in our favourite European hotspot.
Most of us have to make do with a fortnight in the summer, but the older traveller who has reached a point in life where time is not an issue, can take full advantage of the opportunity to take much longer breaks - usually at unbelievably good prices.
If you fall into this category and you are looking for somewhere to go for a long holiday, here are a few tips for some of the places in Europe where it can be quite easy to spend a few months without ever running out of things to do or places to go.
This small selection could well whet your appetite and give you the nudge you need to take that extended holiday you have wanted for so long.
The Algarve area of Portugal has a vast choice of resorts to suit all ages.
Finding somewhere for an extended stay is oh so simple.
If you want a bit of hustle and bustle you have Albufeira, but for the quieter and more sedate experience head to Praia da Rocha or Praia da Vau.
And for those who intend to while away the days on the golf course, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Vilamoura is particularly popular with the golfing fraternity.
Cheap food, drink and entertainment is easily found and is part of the Algarve's charm, along with the relaxed and laid back ambience which allows you to make the most of your stay without your stress levels rising in any way.
For the best deals accommodation-wise, look for long-term rentals on apartment rental websites to find a comfortable base for your long holiday.
Once you have got the flight out of the way, which invariably costs more due to the distance to be travelled, Turkey is one of the cheapest places for food, drink, entertainment and accommodation in Europe.
With a plethora of great resorts, as well as smaller lesser known ones that tick all the boxes when it comes to relaxing holidays, Turkey has it all.
If you stay in or near Marmaris you can catch the ferry over to the Greek island of Rhodes and have a holiday within a holiday to add to the enjoyment.
Summer in Turkey is extremely hot so your extended stay should ideally be before July or after September.
You will be able to grab some great accommodation bargains during these periods and might well be able to get a hotel cheaper than you would pay for private apartments in high-season.
This long-time British favourite is the ideal resort to spend an extended length of time as it has something for everyone and there is never a shortage of things to do.
With the stunning Levante beach running into the equally attractive Poniente beach and the picturesque old town, it is a beach lover's paradise.
Extended visits here are hugely popular as you are never short of places to eat, drink or be entertained and the climate is warm even in the winter months.
Any one of the numerous cafes along the seafront is the perfect place to sit in the sun with a drink and watch the world go by.
Look for long-term rentals on apartments rather than pay hotel prices in the height of summer.
Lying off the coast of Croatia, the Dalmatian Islands are one of those places that few had heard of until recent years when the whole of Europe opened itself up to tourism and we were able to travel freely to places we had only previously heard of or seen on TV.
The largest islands in the group are Brac, Korcula, DugiOtok, Mljet, Vis, Hvar, Pag and Pasman and these are where the burgeoning tourist industry is at its strongest.
Travelling around the islands and experiencing everything there is on offer, as well as exploring the mainland, will have you discovering numerous hidden gems.
These will be the holiday snaps everyone wants to see.
The region of Tuscany in Italy is simply beautiful - and one of the places most often mentioned if you ask Brits where they would retire to in Europe.
In sharp contrast to the bustling cities of Milan and Rome, Tuscany offers its visitors a much more leisurely holiday at the kind of relaxed pace we all dream of when consumed by our hectic lifestyles.
This is the place to come if you want to indulge yourself in any kind of pleasure, guilty or otherwise.
And with an enviable reputation built on fine art, delicious cuisine, wonderful wines, stunning countryside and a glorious coastline, this is a dream holiday destination that you have to experience for themselves to appreciate fully everything it has to offer.
Long-term travel plans are a great way of making up for lost time at a point in life when the opportunity is there for the taking.
Bear in mind that this type of stay might require a special type of travel insurance to ensure that adequate cover is provided for health issues and other unforeseen problems.
It is well worth discussing your travel plans with a company such as Columbus Direct, which has the resources and expertise to tailor travel insurance to match the requirements of the long-term traveller.
