Head abroad to escape the heat

UK residents have been waiting years for a decent summer, but now it has arrived they are heading abroad to escape the heat.

Temperatures in London are set to hit 34C in the middle of the week and with humidity also rising, the public is heading for holiday resorts with lower temperatures, less humidity and, crucially, easy access to the beach or a pool.

Online travel firm lastminute.com is reporting soaring numbers of bookings to destinations such as Madeira and Fuerteventura, which are a comfortable 26C and 27C respectively this week.

Brits seeking more bearable weather conditions are also heading to Rhodes, where the average temperature this week is 28C, the Dominican Republic and Santorini, which are a relatively cool 28C, and Kos, which is averaging 29C.

"It's an unusual state of affairs to be reporting that our customers are choosing to leave the country to escape the heat – usually it's to escape the driving rain or freezing winds," said lastminute.com travel director John Bevan.

"While places like Kos and Madeira are only around five degrees cooler than London for example, it's the humidity rather than the temperatures which makes the difference."

If you are seeking a quick getaway from the heat, lastminute.com is offering seven nights in Rhodes at the three-star-plus Summer Dream Hotel, all inclusive for £479 per person, departing on August 5th or 9th. XXX