We might be at the end of August, but there's little sign of the approaching autumn around the Mediterranean.

For Italy in particular, the height of summer is making a return once again. Over the next few days, temperatures will rise to 40°C and above in many places.

The heat will be particularly intense in Sicily and Sardinia. Inland of both islands, temperatures could even reach a high of 45°C. There will be little respite even at night, as temperatures will drop only slightly.

You’ll also work up a proper sweat travelling from the Balkans through Greece to Turkey for any late school summer holiday. There, maximum temperatures are frequently around 35°C well into next week.