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After weeks of chilly weather, heavy rain and a seemingly unceasing wind, a holiday in June is an immensely appealing idea – preferably somewhere warm.

Head to southern France’s Languedoc region for lazy days in the sun, flitting between medieval towns and the Mediterranean coast. Keep the pace slow as you cruise around the Adriatic, dropping anchor at some of Croatia’s most beautiful islands.

Join the Midsummer festivities in Sweden on a fly-drive break that includes Stockholm and an island in the Baltic Sea. Go further afield with a self-drive holiday in eastern Canada and explore national parks as well as Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.

If you’re holidaying in the UK, hole up in a farm cottage near Cornwall’s Helston River, or go hiking in the Brecon Beacons. Whatever type of break you want in June, these holidays will inspire you.

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France

You’ll have one of Languedoc’s most charming towns within a 15-minue walk when you rent Villa Picasso just outside Pézenas. This handsome Mediterranean-style villa has three double bedrooms, balconies, a large kitchen and living area, as well as a garden with a pool, sunloungers, barbecue and covered terrace. When you’re not relaxing by the pool, you can explore Pézenas’s pretty medieval streets and superb Saturday market. Booked through Vintage Travel, a week’s self-catering in June costs from £2,150.

Croatia

Get to know some of Croatia’s islands in the Kvarner Gulf on this eight-day cruise run by Completely Croatia. You’ll start in Krk, with its Venetian Krk Town, before carrying on to Rab – whose Rab Town is among Croatia’s most beautiful – the ancient city of Zadar and the laid-back islands of Lošinj and Cres. You’ll end the cruise in elegant Opatija back on the coast. Prices start at £1,800pp and include flights, transfers, breakfast, lunch, three guided tours and a captain’s dinner, departing 1 June.

Cornwall

Surround yourself in peaceful farmland yet be only 10 minutes’ drive from Helston when you stay at Mudgeon Cottage. The three-bedroom cottage is part of a working dairy farm, so any children in the party can join with the milking of the calves. There’s plenty of outside space, including two courtyard gardens and a private lawned garden – plus access to a children’s play area and a games barn. And inside is a cosy space with a wood-burning stove, exposed brick walls and beamed ceilings. Available through Helpful Holidays, the cottage costs £843, down from £1,027, for seven nights’ self-catering from 7-14 June.

Sweden

Combine a visit to Stockholm with a few days of island life in Gotland in the Baltic Sea with this six-night fly-drive holiday offered by Best Served Scandinavia. You’ll start with a few idyllic days in the quiet villages and secluded beaches of Gotland before flying to Stockholm – preferably in time for the Midsummer Eve celebrations, which this year take place on 21 June. Prices start at £1,450pp and include flights, car hire and six nights’ B&B accommodation, departing 17 June.

Canada

Visit some of Canada’s biggest cities with days spent exploring its vast national parks on this 15-day Canada’s Eastern Explorer fly-drive holiday with North America Travel Service. Start off in Toronto and nip down to Niagara Falls before heading towards the borders of Algonquin National Park. Get to know Canada’s capital, Ottawa, before crossing the border into Quebec towards the Laurentian Mountains and savouring the French flavour of Montreal and Quebec City. Prices start at £3,455pp and include flights, car hire and 14 nights’ accommodation.

Wales

Enjoy long walks in the Brecon Beacons and views of the Black Mountains from Ty Obrey, a three-bedroom cottage a few miles north of Crickhowell. Big leather sofas and a woodburner keep things warm inside, while outside there’s a large patio as well as a hot tub. A week’s self-catering through Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages cost £877 from 15 June, down from £968. Up to two dogs are welcome.

Mary Novakovich is editor at large at 101holidays.co.uk

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