My Place in the Sun

“One of my favourite places in the world is Umbria in Italy,” says Jasmine Harman. “It neighbours Tuscany, with similar dazzling countryside scenery, but is often overlooked by holidaymakers. With its hidden alleyways,grand piazzas and beautiful historical architecture, the university town of Perugia makes you feel like you are being transported back in time. I also love the ancient hilltop town of Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, the patron saint of animals and nature.

 

“The region is completely landlocked, but you can cool off by the shores of stunning Lake Trasimeno, which is much quieter, more laid-back and cheaper than its cousins in the north, Como and Garda. I once had a couple of house-hunters who were very into rock climbing. They persuaded me to join them, and it was awesome being so high up, surrounded by spectacular scenery and gorgeous views of the lake.  “A favourite memory of filming A Place in the Sun was visiting Spoleto during truffle season. I literally ate fresh truffles on everything the entire time! Generally, the food in Umbria is as Italian food should be: simple, authentic and delicious, and portions are very generous.” 

 

Ben Hillman

“Late last year I had the good fortune of searching for a property in Salou, a resort town on the Costa Dorada — ‘the Golden Coast’ — in Catalonia,” says Ben Hillman. “The couple were looking for a holiday home somewhere with the charm of Majorca’s landscape, but without the hefty price tag. I thought this region of Spain was a real gem, with its pine-tree-fringed coastline peppered with secluded coves such as Cala Bot, and its crystal-clear waters. The coastal towns are popular with Spanish holidaymakers, but there are plenty of tranquil traditional towns and villages where you can stay, such as the charming fishing village of L’Ampolla on the edge of the Delta del Ebro wetlands.  “Just up the road from Salou, you can delve into the history of the Roman town of Tarragona and visit its 1,800-year-old amphitheatre, as well as exploring its vibrant shops and restaurants. The area is also great for sailing, windsurfing and golf, and you can take a picturesque stroll along Cap Salou’s 6.5km coast path. I particularly enjoyed rounding off the day at Limonero on Playa Cristal, an effortlessly cool beach restaurant that did exceptionally good food.” 

 

Scarlette Douglas

“Lots of Brits have been to Barcelona, but very few venture to Valencia, Spain’s third-biggest city, about 350km further down the coast,” says Scarlette Douglas. “It is beautiful! The beach is incredible, the marina picturesque, and the old town a maze of quaint cobbled streets. Nature-seekers will like the city’s new Central Park, and culture vultures will love the City of Arts and Sciences — a cultural complex with futuristic architecture. Valencia is the birthplace of paella and has a thriving food scene with something for every taste: gourmet restaurants, old-school tapas bars, traditional paella restaurants on the beach… “I had never been to Valencia before filming A Place in the Sun, but I was immediately sold. It is a great place to get a bit of everything, and it’s definitely top of my list of places to recommend.” 

 

Danni Mackenzies

“During lockdown I had time to sit and reminisce about all the fabulous places I’ve been lucky enough to visit while filming, and one place stood out,” says Danni Menzies. “Last summer, I visited Kefalonia for the first time and I was blown away by how untouched parts of the island were. I’d recommend hiring a car or moped to explore the empty beaches that are tucked away. For me, this was the absolute highlight of the trip. In one hour you can scoot across the island, enjoying gorgeous scenery on the coastal road — just watch out for the potholes!  “The Greek islands have always had a special place in my heart and Kefalonia is somewhere I’ll be visiting again and again: great food — I could live on Greek salads — lovely people, fantastic beaches and walks. I can’t wait to get back on those bumpy roads and hike down to the island’s hidden gems.”