'Santa Teresa is a hidden gem in Northern Sardinia, ideal for a September getaway'

Seeing as the weather has been so beautiful in the UK this year, you'd be forgiven for not quite fitting in your summer holiday yet. Heatwave after heatwave meant staycations and city breaks a little bit closer to home successfully scratched the itch, and jumping on the train or in the car felt like the obvious choice. But now temperatures have started to drop, and there's a touch of autumn in the air, we're turning our attention towards sunnier climes. It's shoulder season, making it the perfect time of year for heading to Europe for a beach break. No longer the school holidays means its quieter (and cheaper!), but still warm enough for sea swimming and T-shirt weather. If you're looking for holiday inspiration, might we suggest Santa Teresa in Northern Sardinia for your next week away. Situated an hour and a half from Olbia airport, it's got all the charm and authenticity you're after from a Euro-summer trip, but with a little slice of luxury, too. A recently renovated five-star resort overlooking the beautiful bay of Santa Reparata: if you're after a 'fly and flop' holiday, this will certainly do the job nicely. With bright and airy rooms, two swimming pools (one main pool and one adults-only offering), a tennis court, spa and multiple restaurants, the hotel has everything you could need for a thought-free, relaxing stay. But it also offers way more than that, too, should you get itchy feet or need some structure to your days. Accessing the rest of the island is easy via an electric Fiat Topolino (which you can rent at reception), while the hotel can also offer a whole host of additional activities. Whether its Pilates by the sea, a boat ride around the surrounding coastline, or an afternoon of elevated fun at their nearby OASI Nomad Beach House, there really is something for everyone. The resort feels peaceful and polished while also catering to 192 rooms, down to the wide-ranging facilities and restaurants on offer: whatever holiday you're after, you can almost certainly achieve it there. Find out more A kilometre down the road from the hotel you'll find OASI, a pool club tucked into the hill behind the beach. It's a laid-back and stylish restaurant with coastal views, which serves dishes made from seasonal ingredients and inspired by its surroundings, as well as delicious cocktails. Think: Lemon and olive focaccia, nduja prawns, octopus (the island's renowned for its pulpo) and refreshing salads. Sardinia is Italian, after all. Located within Mangia's, Al Grano offer an eat-in or takeaway service and have the perfect view of sunset, whether you fancy finding somewhere on the coast to sit or grabbing one of the tables by the window. The pizzas are Neapolitan-style, perfect for soaking up many an Aperol or Campari Spritz. It might not look like much, but Bar la baia is well worth a visit if you eat seafood. Their signature dish is top tier lunch fair: a thick, warm pitta bread, doused in butter, and filled with tender octopus, with chunky slices of red onion to cut through the richness. Pair with their french fries (not necessary but absolutely essential) and a Coca-Cola Zero, and you've got yourself an authentic experience. For an authentic Sardinian experience, Locanda Dei Mori is a must. It's a set-menu with a price per head (including a jug of white wine), set in a beautiful walled courtyard. The tablecloths are gingham and the jug (did we mention the jug?) feels like homemade ceramic. Food-wise, expect Mediterranean-style fish, cooked on the bone, potatoes and pulpo salad, as well as rice dishes and aubergines. Their tiramisu is famous for a reason. No holiday dinner is complete without an after-meal walk and ice-cream, right? Of all of Santa Teresa's offerings, Gelateria G'ala should be high on your list. Their gelato is rich, creamy and dense, with a wide range of flavours: the pistachio is subtle yet intense in flavour, while the cheesecake flavour was also a particular highlight. Part of Sardinia's charm is the incredible rocky coastline, and beautiful turquoise water that comes with it. There's no end to the number of stunning (but also often tiny!) pebbled beaches you can clamber down to for a dip. Be sure to bring your water shoes and best balance. Or, if the word 'clamber' doesn't instil much faith in you, access the crystal clear water via a small speedboat, instead. The hotel can organise a mini cruise in the Maddalena Archipelago, a gorgeous group of islands with a protected national park status, or you can hire one yourself from Santa Teresa port. You know what we were saying about 'fly and flop'? There is no better place to do it. With two pools, a beach club and sun-loungers all within walking distance from the hotel, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to book-reading locations. Load up on factor 50 and enjoy the sun on your skin, because there really is no feeling like it. Alternatively, there's a whole host of activities on offer if you don't like the idea of sitting still. Whether it's an hour on the tennis court or a Pilates lesson by the sea, there's also a 24-hour fitness facility, and snorkelling to boot. Find out more here Dusty Baxter-Wright is an award-winning journalist and Acting Website Director at ELLE UK, where she oversees the brand's digital strategy and editorial output. Previously, she was Entertainment and Lifestyle Director at Cosmopolitan, leading coverage across culture, travel and interiors in print, digital and social, and before that worked at Sugarscape. With more than a decade of experience in journalism, Dusty has been named one of PPA's 30 Under 30 and has interviewed everyone from Louis Theroux and Channing Tatum to Margot Robbie and Ncuti Gatwa. She has also appeared as a commentator on Times Radio and BBC Radio. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram here.