If you too are still a little peeved by the summer washout and aren’t yet ready to batten down the hatches in preparation for another gruelling winter, fear not! There are still plenty of places to replenish that flagging vitamin D. And better yet, you won’t have to break the bank or fight tooth and nail for your patch of sand. Bliss! Here we check out which whl.travel (www.whl.travel) destinations have the best beach-break ability to blow away those autumn cobwebs.

This photograph was taken during the rainy season along the Nabaoy River, just a stone’s throw by boat from Boracay island in the Philippines. The flower, brought to life along with others of virtually every colour by the seasonal deluges, belongs to the terrestrial family of orchids, one of the many pretty flora planted along the banks of the Nabaoy.

On the Philippine island of Boracay – famous as one of the word’s most popular beach destinations – nestled in the hills of the village of Bantud is a surprise. In keeping with its exceptional setting, it’s called Boracay Hills and for anyone who treasures top-quality tropical hospitality, it’s a small (10-room) boutique hotel not to be ignored.