October with its still-warm light and crisp air brings a favourable wind for great trips. Whether you choose to glide along the river, relax in front of the changing colours of the lake or go for the last swim on the beach, here are our recommendations for seven unforgettable trips to take in October.
Porto, overlooking the Douro ©Oledjio/Shutterstock
Porto and the Douro, Portugal
The Douro Valley and wine production go hand in hand. Protected by UNESCO for its uniquely beautiful vineyards, this is one of the oldest wine regions in the world: the Portuguese Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC) certified the provenance of local wines 200 years before the French introduced the AOC system. Sail down the Douro and you are guaranteed atmospheric bucolic scenes, particularly bewitching in autumn, when the sun is still warm and the grapes are ripening golden.
You will pass traditional rabelos (cargo boats), small villages decorated with azulejos and numerous quintas (vineyards) where you can stop for a tasting. When you reach the mouth of the Douro in historic Porto, founded by the Romans and now Portugal's second largest city, look for the Ribeira district with its narrow but charming streets. Or head to Vila Nova de Gaia, on the opposite bank, teeming with wine shops specialising in Port.
The programme
Spend a few days in Porto before indulging in a week-long cruise to Vega de Terron, on the Spanish border, two hours from Salamanca.
Things to know
The best sites along the Douro are not right on the river; you'll have to get a car or use a train.
The NC500, Britain's answer to the Pacific Coast Hwy©Helen Hotson/Shutterstock
Northern Scotland
The NC500 is Britain's answer to the Pacific Coast Hwy: 830km long, it runs along the Scottish coast, skirting the North Highlands and touching Ullapool, John O'Groats, Dornoch and Inverness. Autumn is a wonderful season to drive it; the summer crowds (and insects) are gone, the carriageways are clear, the Highlands are ablaze with autumnal hues and resound with the calls of deer in heat. Shorter days and darker skies increase the chances of spotting mirrie dancers, or the Northern Lights in the local language. Choose your stops according to your interests.
Along the way, you will encounter spectacular glens and mountains (climb one of the Munros), wave-swept beaches and whitewashed bays. There are also Iron Age monoliths, cultural centres and romantic castles (both intact and ruined), as well as lochs cloaked in legend and smoke perfect for rafting and fishing. Warm up in cosy lodges, in front of open fires and with whisky tastings.
The programme
Inverness, reachable by plane and train, is the ideal starting point. Give yourself one week to 10 days to complete the tour. The roads here are full of twists and turns: be generous with your time.
Things to know
Many attractions are closed in winter, some as early as the end of September, but others - Dunrobin Castle, Strathnaver Museum - stay open until the end of October. Check in advance.
The ruins of Peyrepertuse Castle ©midgardson/Shutterstock
Languedoc-Roussillon
The Languedoc-Roussillon region stretches from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees, and is a magnificent mix of forests, lagoons, peaks, caves, châteaux perched on hillsides and chilling history: it was here, in the Middle Ages, that the Cathar heretics sought refuge (unsuccessfully) from papal persecution. Theirs is a macabre tale, but it is also an excellent reason to travel (by car, bicycle or on foot) through the 'Land of the Cathars', especially in October, which is mid-season here, when the number of tourists dwindles.
Between the Mediterranean Port-la-Nouvelle and the hill town of Foix, you will discover beautiful landscapes dotted with limestone outcrops, vineyard-clad slopes, high-altitude pastures, steep ravines and the ancient castles of the Cathars: the ruins of Quéribus, perched on high ground, Roquefxade, which towers over a cliff, Peyrepertuse, which resembles the prow of a ship, and the imposing Montségur, where the Cathars faced a siege in 1244. Don't miss fairy-tale Carcassonne.
The programme
If you are a hiker, allow at least 12 days to cover the 250 kilometres of the Sentier Cathare ('Cathar Road'). By car, you only need five.
Things to know
Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine region in the world. Try the Blanquette de Limoux, the oldest sparkling wine of all.
Autumn is the perfect time to discover Macedonia's parks ©Azem Ramadani/Getty Images
North Macedonia
North Macedonia remains one of Europe's least visited destinations. But this complex, compact and culturally rich nation is beginning to make a name for itself. With the mercury still hovering around 18°C, October guarantees ideal hiking weather.
Start in the capital Skopje, with its Ottoman-era Čaršija (bazaar) and a castle, all mixed with modernist buildings and neoclassical architecture. Then take the scenic route to Mavrovo National Park, stopping to admire the monastery of Sveti Jovan Bigorski (St John the Baptist). A little further south, the bewitching Ohrid awaits, a small town of historical interest on the shores of the lake of the same name, where you will also find frescoed churches, the monastery of Sveti Naum and the fascinating Bay of Bones, which tells of the prehistoric people who once lived here on stilts. Continue on to Pelister National Park for a nature walk and a taste of the local cuisine. Not far away is Bitola, home to the Roman-era ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis and a cluster of pretty cafes. Return to Skopje via the picturesque Tikveš region, which has been producing wine since the 4th century BC. The main towns are Kavadarci and Negotino.
The programme:
Give yourself at least a week, better still 10 days. Hire a car or take part in an organised
organised tour - public transport is limited but the rural areas are worth a visit.
Worth knowing:
ATMs are not widespread; withdraw cash in Skopje.
Charming little Guernsey is littered with Napoleonic remains ©Steve Mahy/500px
Guernsey Channel Island
Close to France but exquisitely British, charming little Guernsey - the second largest of the Channel Islands - has an enviable history for such a small territory. Not only does Guernsey's coastline offer a series of cosy coves, bays and beaches, but it is also home to the 800-year-old Cornet Castle fortress and a fair number of Martello Towers, which served to repel Napoleon and were later exploited by the Germans who occupied the island during World War II.
October is a perfect month to come here, because Guernsey's narrow streets and
the even narrower Ruettes Tranquilles (country roads) are almost empty and temperatures are mild (highs around 17°C). Wander along the wide avenues of St Peter Port, visit the beautiful Hauteville House (Victor Hugo's house) and the Neolithic Dehus Dolmen, dating back to 3500 B.C. And eat! The fruit and vegetables here are excellent, especially during Tennerfest (October to early November), when all the restaurants on the island offer affordable menus.
The programme
Guernsey has an airport. Year-round ferries connect it to the UK, Jersey and France. Get around the island by bike or on foot.
Things to know
The British pound is commonly accepted in Guernsey, but Channel Islands pounds are not in the UK.
The charm of Riga ©KavalenkavaVolha/Getty Images
Latvia
Hurry! The Baltic climate is not yet Baltic: October is your last chance to wander through Latvia's beautiful wilderness with tolerable temperatures. The daylight hours are still sufficient, the winter winds have not started to blow and the foliage is showing off its best autumn colours. Head to the Gauja National Park, where you can admire medieval castles and waterways bathed in mist, silhouetted against the golden foliage of the trees. Here, you will find plenty of hiking trails, from short, easy walks to longer routes that follow the course of the Gauja River. Alternatively, head to Ķemeri National Park with appropriate footwear and immerse yourself in its watery landscape; autumn offers exceptional birdwatching opportunities. Both parks are easy to reach from the capital Rīga, whose UNESCO-protected old town is beautiful in any season; but in mid-October, for Rīga Restaurant Week, several restaurants offer menus at reduced prices, taking advantage of seasonal ingredients: mushrooms, berries, fish and game.
The programme
Trains from Rīga to Ķemeri take about 50min; the park is 3 km from the Ķemeri station. The Rīga-Valka railway runs through the Gauja Park, stopping at various access points such as Sigulda (1h 15min) and Cēsis (2h). Ticket prices are affordable.
Things to know
Crossing the Gauja River by boat or canoe is possible (if it is not already frozen).
Olympos, with its Roman amphitheatre and Ottoman fortifications ©ColorMaker/Shutterstock
Çirali, Turkey
In October, few beaches are as inviting as Çıralı. This vast bay, located in the Olympos-Bey Mountains National Park, boasts temperatures that can reach 26°C, and water that exceeds 25°C, and is lined with trees that precisely at this time begin to change colour. And because this is a protected area, buildings are reduced and flora and fauna abound: you can see 865 plant species, 72 avian species and mammals such as red lynxes, caracals and wolves. This is also a hatching site for sea turtles - from May, these endangered creatures gather on the pebble beaches to lay their eggs; between September and October, those eggs hatch. Wake up at dawn and you might be lucky enough to see the hatchlings scurrying to the sea.
October is also a month devoid of tourists, so it is ideal to walk part of the 500 km of the Lycian Way, which runs through Çıralı; to visit Olympos, with its Roman amphitheatre and Ottoman fortifications; and to stand helplessly in front of the flames erupting from the rocks of the Chimera.
The programme
Antalya Airport is 100 km away. Çıralı can be reached by bus.
Worth knowing
Turtles are protected: don't disturb them. Join an outing led by volunteers.