For the people of some countries, particularly the UK, Summer has produced something of a ‘mixed bag’. Although there have been brief patches of warm weather in the UK, the anticipated long hot weeks have been noticeable by their absence. Nonetheless, there are places where you can be pretty much guaranteed some sunshine this Autumn, and in this travel feature, we’ll highlight some of them.
Many Brits have been left looking for the summer following an August that is probably best forgotten; however, although the long, hot days have been a rarity, the desire to experience them is still here. The positive news is travellers can still catch some warming rays in late September, October and November in the incredible destinations below.
BEST FOR SEPTEMBER
Vienna, Austria
Highest temperature: 21°C
Lowest temperature: 14°C
The end of September marks Sturmzeit, a two-week period where visitors to Vienna can indulge in a special drink called Sturm, a young wine that is fermented freshly pressed grape juice.
The drink is only available for a couple of weeks due to rapid fermentation, so it truly marks the start of autumn. Vienna is also one of the only cities to produce a significant amount of wine within the city limits, so it is the ideal break for lovers of wine.
The 23rd and 24th of September in Vienna will see the return of the wine hiking days – a chance to explore the Austrian capital’s four different wine routes and sample some delicious beverages from the Viennese vintners along the way.
Route 1: Neustift to Nussdorf – 10.8km in distance
Along this route, hikers will come across Sievering, the Wien Cobenzl winery, and Grinzing, all key locations in the Viennese wine and Heuriger tavern traditions. The Wien Cobenzl winery is a possible stop on the way to sample some wonderful wines, with the best Viennese grapes used for certified sustainable wine growing.
Route 2: Strebersdorf to Stammersdorf – 9.6km in distance
This route features views across the impressive landscape, numerous wine taverns that offer the chance for a walking break, and many tempting culinary delicacies. For families embarking on the hike, there’s the children’s farm at Magdalenenhof.
Route 3: Ottakring – 2.4km in distance
The Ottakring route is the shortest of the wine hiking trails at only 2.4km in length, so it is the ideal choice for those seeking a leisurely stroll through the autumn colours and pit stops for great food and wine. The route ends at the picturesque Wilhelminenberg Palace, which provides wonderful sightseeing opportunities.
Route 4: Mauer – 4.6km in distance
This 4.6km route is ideal for those familiar with the other trails. This route leads to a number of well-known heurigers, and the unique architecture of the Wotruba Church along the way is also well worth stopping off at.
For more information on the Vienna Wine Hiking Day, please visit www.wien.info.
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, Italy
Highest temperature: 24°C
Lowest temperature: 15°C
With temperatures of up to 24°C, September is the ideal time to visit the charming city of Venice. It’s also much less crowded from September onwards, making for a more pleasurable experience. Until the end of October, JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa will offer their indulgent SPA by Night experience – just in case you need another reason to visit.
Located on its own private island – Isola delle Rose – in the heart of the Venetian lagoon, JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa offers a serene space to truly experience wellness and relaxation.
On the last Friday of every month from 8 pm until 11 pm, hotel guests seeking self-care can take themselves off to the spa via the winding walkways and lush gardens of the island to watch the sunset.
Offered as part of the SPA by Night experience is yoga beneath the stars, sound therapy sessions with Tibetan bells, and post-spa food and drinks, as well as full spa access.
Facilities include:
- An indoor/outdoor vitality pool with water massage stations and panoramic views of the lagoon.
- A hammam with a private scrub area.
- Experiential showers.
- A bio sauna.
- A Finnish sauna with Halotherapy.
The spa is also home to eight treatment rooms, and while treatments are not included in the price of the SPA by Night experience, guests are able to make reservations in advance so the two can be enjoyed together. A recent partnership with Italian beauty brand BAKEL makes the treatment list ever so tempting, too.
SPA by Night at JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa is €120 per person (approx. £105). The price includes three hours of spa access, yoga beneath the stars, a sound therapy session, and food and drink. Price excludes spa treatments. SPA by Night is scheduled to take place on the last Friday of every month from May until October 2023. For more information or to book, please visit www.jwvenice.com.
Lausanne, Switzerland
Highest temperature: 20°C
Lowest temperature: 13°C
Nestled beside the shimmering waters of Lake Geneva, Lausanne offers an idyllic autumn retreat just a short flight away from the UK. The climate creates a serene backdrop for exploring this Swiss gem, with temperatures ranging from a comfortable 13°C to a pleasant 20°C in autumn.
What sets Lausanne apart is its status as a global wine capital, with only 12 worldwide. Located just 10 minutes from the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyards, the city offers unparalleled opportunities for wine enthusiasts.
With their golden autumn hues, the terraced vineyards create an arresting landscape perfect for casual strolls and guided vineyard tours. The harvest season in autumn brings the vineyards to life, making it the ideal time to participate in grape picking and indulge in wine-tasting sessions. There are even half-day e-bike tours to cycle through the vineyards – a popular activity in the autumn.
Lausanne is more than just wine and fine dining; it’s a city where Swiss quality of life meets cultural richness. Visitors can explore Plateforme 10 – the new arts district, take a leisurely cruise on Lake Geneva, visit The Olympic Museum, or wander through the city’s charming Old Town.
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, a culture vulture, or simply looking for a beautiful autumn escape, Lausanne’s blend of natural beauty and world-class viticulture offers a special Autumnal getaway that’s hard to match.
For more information, please visit www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/en/. Return flights from London to Geneva (40 minutes by train to Lausanne) from £60 with EasyJet.
BEST FOR OCTOBER
Can Auli, Spain
Highest temperature: 23°C
Lowest temperature: 15°C
Located in the sunny Mediterranean, Mallorca has long been a hotspot for travellers seeking autumnal sun. The Balearic island enchants tourists and locals alike – with idyllic coastal regions, imposing mountains, lively cities, quiet villages, and historical architecture. In October, temperatures can still reach 23°C, a perfect sunny escape that is only a 3-hour flight from the UK.
Housed in a 17th-century mansion, five-star Can Auli is a luxurious adults-only retreat in the heart of Pollenca, an undiscovered gem on the island for most tourists. Centuries ago, the historic and character-filled building was the residence of a local doctor, but now it serves as an oasis of calm at the foot of the UNESCO Tramuntana Mountains.
Can Auli has 21 inviting rooms spread across three floors and is home to a unique open kitchen which offers indoor and outdoor dining and, most exciting of all, a 1-km food menu. A local farmer hauls in crates of delicious fresh produce every morning, and the hotel’s breakfast menu and daily specials revolve around ingredients from his organic farm.
Being located at the foot of Sierra de Tramunatana – a declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO – also makes Can Auli a destination for cycling and hiking lovers. A perfect activity for autumn travels, guests can choose between relaxed routes on rural roads or a challenging climb up Sa Calobra – a serpentine winding that leads to iconic lighthouses, historic castles, and secret coves.
Can Auli has its own bike garage, too – a real USP. It’s a state-of-the-art cycling centre with bicycle racks, tyre pumps, a repair workshop, a shower specifically for bikes, and maps with personalised routes from the hotel’s doorstep. Can Auli also offers guests comforts for practising via their collaboration with the local company, Cycling Friendly, such as transfers, coaching, guided tours, bike rentals and biomechanics.
Rates at Can Auli start from €200 (low season) / €400 (high season) per night on a bed and breakfast basis. Price based on double occupancy. Can Auli is an adults-only hotel. For further information on the hotels or to book, please visit www.itmallorcauniquespaces.com.
Cascais, Portugal
Highest temperature: 22°C
Lowest temperature: 14°C
Historically a refuge for Portuguese nobility during WWII, and now an elegant blend of 19th-century architecture and traditional Portuguese charm, Cascais is a veritable paradise for those seeking endless culture, sun and sand – even in October.
This autumn will see two key events coming back to Cascais. Estoril Classics is a car racing event taking place from the 6th of October. It will feature a range of different vehicles, including ones from Formula 1, sports and grand tourer cars, attracting classic car and motorbike lovers worldwide.
For the active traveller, the 21st of October marks the return of the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races in Cascais. With such a mild climate year-round, Portugal is the ideal destination for the triathlon event, with those participating experiencing a swim in the spectacular Cascais Bay.
Cascais is located 30 minutes from Lisbon and is known as the ‘Charm of the Atlantic Coast.’ Not only are there beaches in abundance, but Cascais is also home to a historic old town and lies within close proximity to Sintra – a region filled with fairytale palaces perched on rolling hilltops overlooking the coast.
Offering plenty of exploration, from the Mercado da Vila market that has been gracing the streets of Cascais for 60 years to the Boca do Inferno, an impressive natural rock formation where the waves crash through in a display of power, Cascais is a melting pot of culture and history.
For more information, please visit www.visitcascais.com.
Discover Africa Safaris, Kenya
Highest temperature: 24°C
Lowest temperature: 16°C
The largest animal migration in the world, the Great Wildebeest Migration, takes place each year between July and October in the Masai Mara in Kenya. Each year, more than 2 million animals (wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle) migrate in a loop around Tanzania and Kenya, so there is no better time to take a trip with Discover Africa Safaris than during the migration season.
Embark on a 6-day itinerary, beginning at Kicheche Mara Camp for the first three nights. The camp is a classic tented accommodation located in a breathtaking valley in the Mara North Conservancy, which is included in the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. The stay here will include two daily game drives to witness the incredible wildlife nearby.
Guests will move to the Kicheche Bush Camp in the Olare Conservancy for the remainder of the trip. This is the ideal spot for the Great Migration, and the exclusivity of the Conservancy means there is a lower density of tourism. The camp looks out onto the beautiful landscape, so guests can try to spot wildlife whilst relaxing.
Prices start from £3,549 per person for this 6-day itinerary. All meals are included, as well as lodge game activities. For more information or to book the Herdtracker itinerary, please visit https://www.discoverafrica.com.
The Langham Gold Coast, Australia
Highest temperature: 27°C
Lowest temperature: 18°C
There are few better places to extend summer than the Southern Hemisphere, where the temperatures are just starting to get warmer. In November, Australia’s Gold Coast offers temperatures ranging from 18°C to 27°C.
The renowned coast features some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and right between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, travellers can discover The Langham, Gold Coast, the first luxury hotel with direct beach access in this area in over three decades.
From the expansive balconies in each of the 339 suites and rooms, guests will enjoy uninterrupted panoramic views of pristine beaches, surf-perfect waves, and the raw beauty of Queensland’s landscape. They’ll also enjoy inviting views of the two lagoon pools with infinity edges, which drop off into the Pacific.
Travellers with a sweet tooth should not miss the delicious afternoon tea at the Palm Court, an homage to the tradition which originated at The Langham, London, in 1865. T’ang Court, the first western outpost of the renowned three-star Michelin Cantonese restaurant, serves guests the finest authentic dim sum and other exquisite creations.
For more casual eating, guests can head to Akoya, an all-day buffet or the beachside surf café, 26 & Sunny. Wellbeing and relaxation lie at the heart of the resort with the Langham’s signature Chuan Spa, embracing the healing philosophies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Hotel room prices are available from £470 per night, and suites are available from £710 per night. For more information or to book, please visit www.langhamhotels.com/goldcoast.
Hotel Santa Caterina, Italy
Highest temperature: 22°C
Lowest temperature: 16°C
Visitors to the Amalfi Coast in October can expect temperatures of up to 22°C, with the idyllic landscape looking beautiful even in the off-season. And with the tourist season in the area officially ending on the 15th of October, it’s the perfect time to explore whilst visitor numbers are lower.
The five-star Grand Dame of the Amalfi Coast, Hotel Santa Caterina, remains family-owned and has been for over a century. It is a hotel for those in search of excellence. The hotel’s position offers an unparalleled view of Amalfi Bay and uninterrupted panoramic sea views.
A short walk from the historic town centre of Amalfi, Hotel Santa Caterina dominates a stretch of coast where the sea merges with the sky on the horizon and is built into the cliffside surrounded by Mediterranean gardens and a series of terraces leading down to the beach level.
The hotel is also perfectly positioned for visiting nearby towns such as Positano, Ravello, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples.
The rooms at Hotel Santa Caterina imbued with light and timeless details, transport guests to another era suspended in time. From the terraces and balconies, the Mediterranean embraces the hotel with colours of nature from land and sea.
Rooms at Hotel Santa Caterina start from €550 (approx. £485) per night, based on double occupancy. For more information or to book, please visit www.hotelsantacaterina.it/en.
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