10 last-minute holidays, from late summer sun to bracing autumn stays
Hunting truffles in Tuscany, village-hopping in Norfolk or golfing in the Hebrides – September and October offer plenty of variety for those seeking a last-minute break. Cyprus, Croatia and, now, Turkey, are also on our suggested travel menu. The latter was removed from the red list on Wednesday, opening it up for the final weeks of its summer season. But how does it compare to other late-sun destinations? Or, indeed, those places that show their best face in the golden glow of autumn? Here are 10 trips to book now.
Best last minute autumn holidays
Italian adventure
Wandering the Vatican City, tucking into pizza in Naples, touring the ruins of Pompeii – you can weave in many of Italy’s big hitters on this eight-day trip, beginning in Rome and finishing up in Amalfi, mostly travelling by train. In Rome, you might opt for a guided tour of the Pantheon or soak up the masterpieces in Galleria Borghese. In Naples, trace the steps of the many civilizations that helped to carve out the city (Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Normans among them). When you reach Sorrento, take a boat trip to the Blue Grotto after admiring the pastel clifftop towns.
Intrepid offers this seven-night trip from ￡1,278pp, departing October 10; intrepidtravel.com.
Ibiza romance
Plan a couples retreat at 7Pines Resort Ibiza, which sits on the cliffs of the west coast between Cala Conta and Cala Codolar. These two beaches are close (the former a five-minute drive away; the latter a five-minute walk). Accommodation is split into hamlet-like pockets of low-lying buildings, a contemporary take on the traditional Ibicenco village. There are clear views out to the Mediterranean sea – stop off at Cone Club one evening for its sunset ritual. Here you can sip on cava sangria as the light fades behind the nearby island of Es Vedrà.
Scott Dunn offers seven nights at 7Pines Ibiza from ￡1,600pp on a bed and breakfast basis, including flights; scottdunn.com.
A Cypriot welcome
Seek out the last of the summer sun, surrounded by 25 acres of landscaped gardens at the ParkLane resort in Limassol, Cyprus. Tune out beside its three vast pools – you’ll barely need to move with cabanas in which to lounge and poolside restaurants and bars from which to dine. If you’re feeling energetic, watersports on offer include snorkelling, sailing and kayaking. Or perhaps head for its spa, complete with 14 treatment rooms and Thalassotherapy pools. Come nightfall head for Mathis by The Sea: it offers Mediterranean fare from award-winning Swiss chef Reto Mathis.
Inspiring Travel Company offers seven nights at the ParkLane resort, including flights from ￡1,635pp, departing October 1; inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk.
Island escape
How about a weekend on Islay, the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides? The Machrie Hotel and Golf Links sits on seven miles of pristine beach: prepare to wrap up warm for walks along its private footpath. Keen golfers will lap up the 18-hole course while wildlife watchers should try Loch Gruinart. Otters, hen harriers and some 20,000 barnacle geese, which return from Greenland for the winter, are among the creatures to spot. There are also nine whisky distilleries on the island; the hotel offers bespoke tours and tastings.
The Machrie offers two nights, including breakfast, from ￡310 for two in mid-end October; campbellgrayhotels.com/machrie-islay-scotland.
Turkish delights
Newly green-lit Turkey promises clear skies, sandy beaches and, if you pick the right spot, plenty of luxury. Xanadu Island is a five-star resort on a peninsula surrounded by the Aegean Sea. Guests can start their mornings with a wander through its flower-lined courtyards that lead to the seafront, where there are two infinity pools surrounded by palm trees, perfect for cooling off in the midday sun or working one's way through a novel. If the fancy takes hold, Bodrum is 30 minutes away by car. Its attractions include the 15th-century St Peter’s Castle, which houses a shipwreck museum, and nearby Bardecki Cove.
Trailfinders offers seven nights for ￡899pp in October, including flights and staying in a deluxe room; trailfinders.com.
Harvest season
Truffle hunting, vineyard tours and wine tasting are in order for a post-summer break in the Tuscan countryside, with a week's stay at the Villa La Massa on the outskirts of Florence. Seek out the Italian white truffle in the nearby Strozzi Estate – you’ll be led by an expert hunter and trained dogs. Your efforts will be rewarded with a long, truffle-heavy lunch. When you’ve had your fill of the harvest, spend some time in Florence. From fresco-bagging to al fresco dining, balmy early autumn is one of the city’s most appealing seasons.
Elegant Resorts offers a seven-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis from ￡1,955pp, including flights. Departs October 2; elegantresorts.co.uk.
Northern Irish trails
Not a sunseeker? Then how about a self-guided walking holiday along the Antrim Hills Way, venturing to some of the most scenic sections of the Northern Irish coast. It takes in the Glens of Antrim AONB, historic sites such as Dunseverick Castle, and several popular filming locations, including the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which featured in the Game of Thrones. And don’t forget the Unesco-listed Giant’s Causeway. First-time visitors will be enthralled by its 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, formed over 60 million years ago by volcanic eruptions.
Exodus Travel offers a five day trip from ￡689pp, including accommodation, breakfasts, luggage transfers and walking transfers, as required. Departures are available on October 1-3; exodus.co.uk.
Adriatic views
Head for the walled city of Dubrovnik and spend your days exploring the pedestrian-only Old Town, dining in seafood restaurants, and trying out scuba diving or sea kayaking. Stay at the Royal Neptun Hotel, which enjoys views overlooking Babin Kuk, Lapad Bay and the Elaphite Islands. October promises sunny days with sea that’s warm enough for a dip and restaurants and tourist attractions should remain open. The beaches will also be much calmer – a big plus when you're staying at a hotel with direct access to the Adriatic.
Jet2holidays offers a seven night stay on a bed and breakfast basis for ￡589pp, including flights from Newcastle Departs October 17; jet2holidays.com.
Beaches and Broads
Before the chill sets in, a cycling tour through Norfolk’s villages and along its coastal trails is still a tempting prospect. Pop into Sandringham Estate, the Queen’s country retreat, and visit other grand houses such as Blickling Hall, a Jacobean mansion with acclaimed gardens and the home – it is said – of Anne Boleyn's ghost. Bracing walks await on North Norfolk's beaches, best combined with lunch at a country pub. The trip includes three nights in Holt, a charming Georgian market town that makes an idyllic base from which to explore the Broads.
Headwater offers an eight day trip from ￡1,209pp, including accommodation, breakfasts, bikes, luggage transfers and the necessary directions and maps; headwater.com.
Playtime in Portugal
Plan a half-term escape to the Algarve at the Pine Cliffs Resort, where children are well catered for in the kids' club: it’s suitable for any age between four months and 11 years. They’ll be kept busy with toys, games and activities such as frog catching and reptile and bird shows. Meanwhile, the on-site cooking classes and the golf course will occupy older children. Adults might take a break in the spa, play their own round on the nine-hole course, or simply spend an afternoon gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean views.
Scott Dunn offers seven nights at the Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal from ￡5,600 for a family of two adults and two children, sharing a two-bedroom Comfort Residence on a B&B basis with places in the Explorers Kids Clubs, including flights and transfers; scottdunn.com.