At least the rain has stopped. But it's reminded us that summer is officially over, and we need to start planning for some winter sun.

Fortunately our friends at Black Tomato have made this article exceptionally simple for us. They've offered four great options, and now we're just rolling the dice....

Aleppo

Aleppo is poised to become the chicest destination in the Middle East. With a slower pace than Damascus, this Syrian gem has a more Mediterranean vibe to it (siestas and all day feasts aplenty). Spend your days wandering around the ancient ruins (when Rome was built in 750 BC, Aleppo was already 2,500 years old) and mooching around the souk where you can buy glass lanterns, embroidered bedspreads, jewellery and Aleppo’s aged, handmade soap. Built from the famous Aleppo stone (limestone), the souk turns a different shade depending on the time of day. Beautiful.  Being in the Middle East, now is the perfect time to go to avoid the scorching summer sun.

Cape Town, South Africa

In a competition for the world’s best all-round city, Cape Town is definitely up there. From sunbathing on the hip beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay to abseiling down the mighty Table Mountain (or even flying over it in a Fighter Jet), Cape Town has something for all discerning travellers. For a mind-blowing, snap-happy beach expedition, head to Cape Point and share the beach with native African penguins. And for spectacular views and discerning style, the luxurious and intimate Kensington Place Hotel has the lot. Hands down, this city is always a winner.

Argentina

Argentina oozes inspirational travel at every turn, from the effortlessly cool atmosphere of Buenos Aires (spend your nights here in Francis Ford Coppola's uber-hip Jardin Escondido) to the lush fields of Mendoza (spend your days mooching around the vineyards sampling some of the best new world wines you’ll ever taste). If you haven’t been, what are you waiting for?

Cuba

Experiencing the heart and soul of a place is what travel should be about. So how do you go about unearthing the 'heart and soul' of Cuba? Simple spend a few days in the bustling city of Havana taking in the sights and sounds of the capital, from the pastel coloured colonial buildings to the continuous beeping of yellow bubble taxi horns. Then, when you’re ready to leave the city behind, head out to Pinar del Rio where you can relax in luxurious rustic cabins dotted along the glorious beaches. The mixture of mangroves, white sand and blue water make it an ideal paradise for water activities or flopping on the beach. Bliss.

Here Is The Writer : BlackTomato

Black Tomato is a high-end bespoke travel company that specialises in putting together exceptional travel experiences. They cater for the discerning customer looking for a top-of-the line product with a hip twist. Based on the insight that 'your time is precious, your time-off even more so', all Black Tomato trips are tailor made to ensure that customers make the most of every minute away from the grind. Black Tomato has been identified by Conde Nast Traveller as being "Ones to Watch", The Sunday Times said they are "part of a group of people re-defining the way we travel", and they're currently on GQs list of the "100 Best Things in the World". Black Tomato has fast built a reputation as the hip travel company to talk to when looking for an exceptional time away.

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