Check out these (almost) guaranteed sunny destinations which are sure to brighten up what has been, without doubt, a dull as dishwater summer in Blighty!

Costa Del Sol
Spain’s sunshine coast, as the name suggests, is not only renowned for its excellent weather - it’s also easy and relatively cheap to get too, has a wealth of gay hotspots, historic cities and excellent beaches too! This area of southern Spain has over 300 years of sunshine every year and even in the depths of winter average daytime temperatures are a very pleasant 16c. July and August are also the busiest time of year on the coast making late summer and autumn the perfect time to visit to avoid excessive heat, crowds and families. Flights to Malaga put visitors in easy reach of the popular gay resort of Torremolinos, the beautiful cities of Seville, Granada and Cordoba as well as the coast of the Costa del Sol itself.

Turkey
Turkey not only boasts one of the longest summers in Europe, it's also outside of the Eurozone, making it a tempting destination not only for its weather but also for being affordable. Word is out regarding Turkey’s great value though, 1.9 million British tourists arrived in 2007 and there has already been a 20% rise in numbers in 2008. Istanbul, the only city to sit on two continents, is the perfect place to take in some remarkable history and architecture, as well as the famous Bazaars which are a delight for shoppers and bargain hunters. The city even has a small but growing gay scene. Beach lovers are also well catered for, the most popular resorts being Antalya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Kusadasi and Fethiye, where the sea stays warm well into the autumn and November temperatures can top 21c during the day.

Morocco
Add some spice to your late summer holiday by travelling to North Africa’s most popular tourist destination, Morocco. Morocco is a former French colony, so no matter if your Arabic isn’t too hot - some rusty French will do just as well! With both an Atlantic and Mediterranean coastline to boast of, the balmy autumn temperatures here remain well into the 20s, right through as far as November. Essaouira on the Atlantic coast is gaining something of a reputation as a chic tourist resort and has been attracting famous people since the 60s. Another world awaits in the stunning city of Marrakech, the ancient bazaars and souks in the ancient Medina, or old city, offer exotic shopping opportunities. Plus this ancient walled citadel is home to some fascinating palaces, mosques, soothing hammams, mysterious gardens and museums.

Canary Islands
Located off of the north coast of Morocco the Canary Islands have an excellent all year round climate which attracts millions of northern Europeans for their fix of winter sun. Temperatures on this group of volcanic islands rarely drop below 18c, even during the depths of 'winter', and the south of Gran Canaria rarely sees temperatures of less than 22c. The islands offer everything a gay tourist could wish for from the excellent gay night life of Playa del Ingles on Gran Canaria, to great restaurants, water sports and the quiet natural settings and deserted beaches of the smaller islands of La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.

Portugal
Portugal’s location on the south western fringes of Europe give it some of the warmest weather and spectacular coastlines on the continent and it is becoming an increasingly popular destination with gay and lesbian tourist. Eclectic Lisbon has an enchanting mix of both modern and traditional influences and is one of the grandest and most scenic cities in Europe. Further north the equally magnificent baroque city of Porto, Portugal’s second largest, is also set amongst the country’s finest wine growing areas of Duoro and Vihno Verde, whose wines are the perfect accompaniment to the local seafood dishes! To the south the stunning Atlantic coastline of the Algarve makes for a perfect late summer break while venturing further into the Atlantic Ocean you'll find the equally stunning idyllic islands of Madeira and the Azores, perfect for getting away from it all and relaxing in.

Want more? Then you are in luck. Check back next week for part two of our Chase The Sun feature where we look at Florida, Sicily, Athens, Cape Verde Islands and Lebanon.

Want more? Then get a copy of The Q Guide to Gay Beaches online and save some money to put towards some suntan lotion!