Autumn Travel and Holiday Ideas

There are plenty of reasons to travel in autumn – fewer crowds, better value, delicious food, and incredible colours to name a few.

Below is a selection of different holidays and trips, all centred around autumn:

Enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery of the Scottish Highlands this autumn, with Le Boat

Le Boat is the No.1 provider of boating holidays on Europe's beautiful inland waterways, bringing together 50 years of experience, expertise, and memories. With the world’s largest fleet of more than 900 self-drive boats, the company offers the widest choice of fabulous boating destinations. During a Caledonian cruise in northern Scotland, holidaymakers can start at Le Boat’s base at Laggan, opting to cruise to Fort William, Loch Oich, Fort Augustus and beyond. Much of their time will be spent admiring the spectacular fall colours of the Highlands and on lochs nestled in the rugged valleys along the Great Glen, a geologic fault line that shaped the landscape of the region. Crisp autumnal days on the waters are tranquil at this time of year, with very little canal traffic to contend with. Perfect for families, hilltop castles, quiet waterside towns, cosy pubs, whisky tastings, and beautiful scenery awaits. And for families in search of something a little more active, there are plenty of opportunities to moor up and to go mountain biking or white-water rafting. 
Le Boat (023 9280 9124, www.leboat.co.uk)

 

Marvel at the magical colours of autumn, in the Austrian Tirol

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit the Austrian Tirol. The temperatures are cooler, the trees are laden with fruit, and the reds, golds and oranges are reflected in the sparkling natural lakes. Nestled at the end of the Rissbachtal Valley, the Großer Ahornboden is an ideal destination to make the most of autumn. It has had a preservation order since 1927 and from mid-September, its 2,300 sycamore-maple trees, covering the Alpine terrain in the Karwendel Mountains, exude a fairy-tale charm when the leaves turn from yellow to vibrant red during the autumn months. Forming part of the ninth stage of the famous Eagle Walk, which stretches across the Austrian Tirol like the wingspan of an eagle, marvel at this magnificent scenery before cosying up in the Falkenhütte for the evening. The listed building sits in a lush meadow at the foot of the mighty Lalidererwände rockface and is the perfect place to enjoy the seasonal colours. 
Austrian Tirol: www.visittirol.co.uk

Foodie fun in the Pays de Gex, Jura mountains

The little-known corner of the Jura, tucked behind Lake Geneva, is something of a gourmet hotspot and home to the annual food festival, Saveurs et Traditions. From 12-18 October 2021, visitors can tuck into the best of Gessian gastronomy, from cheese to chocolate, wine and beer, thanks to local producers and restaurateurs. The event kicks off at Château Voltaire in Ferney Voltaire, built by the literary hero in 1758, which has recently undergone a huge renovation. Activities over the week include beer-making workshops at the Bière Yourself brewery (from €90) and cheese tastings at the Michelin dairy, which produces 300 types of fromage. Gourmet visitors can also tuck into chocolate, wine, honey, liqueurs and a host of other treats from local producers. 
Pays de Gex: www.paysdegex-montsjura.com

Create a delicious raisin and walnut loaf this autumn, with Kat Judge, AliKats Mountain Holidays

Founded by Al and Kat Judge 10 years ago, AliKats Mountain Holidays now has 10 luxurious catered and self-catered chalets in the beautiful resort of Morzine, France. Since establishing the company, Al and Kat have always been renowned for their delicious cuisine and have won numerous awards. AliKats uses ingredients that are locally sourced, free range and seasonal. Led by Kat, the culinary team make almost all their dishes from scratch, from stocks to sauces and ice creams. This year, AliKats Mountain Holidays has created a new sustainability hub, showing skiers and snowboarders how to make the most of the mountains with the least amount of environmental impact. One of the key parts of the sustainability hub is to shop locally and use what nature provides. Kat’s delicious Raisin and Walnut bread loaf is always made in October, when the walnut tree in Kat’s back garden has thousands to choose from. Follow her recipe here and enjoy! And why not sample some of her delicious food on a ski holiday this winter? 
AliKats Mountain Holidays (0203 514 6012, https://alikats.eu)

 

Explore Italy’s Lake Garda in October, with Al Fresco Holidays

As travel restrictions to Italy ease, the country is proving popular with UK tourists seeking a late 2021 escape. There were record breaking summer temperatures in Italy, but for those who prefer cooler weather, autumn is an ideal time to visit. Lake Garda is a wonderful option for water sports and hiking trails, with the red and yellow of the tress contrastingly beautifully with the blue water at this time of year. Al Fresco Holidays five-star Bella Italia park sits on shores of the lake and is a great option for those wanting to make the most of the outdoors, while enjoying excellent value and amenities. A lively fun-filled site with an action-packed activity programme, guests benefit from fantastic-heated pools and direct access on to a private beach on Lake Garda. There are a great choice of bars and restaurants both on park and in the local town of Peschiera, making for the perfect recipe for a family holiday. Ideally located for exploring the region’s historic and charming towns and discovering the delights of Verona. 
Al Fresco Holidays (0161 332 8900, www.alfresco-holidays.com) 

 

A vibrant time in Verbier, Switzerland

Autumn is a spectacular season, when foliage in Verbier and the Val de Bagnes Alpine forests offers a kaleidoscopic patchwork of fiery red, orange, and yellow hues. Naturally, this makes for a wonderful time to explore the great outdoors here. At this time of year, the restaurants start offering venison, wild boar, hare, wild fowl, ceps, red cabbage, chestnuts, and Spätzle. The portions are big, the flavours rich and the sauces heady. Plus, as the weather begins to cool it’s a great time for hiking and e-biking, Bike hire 25chf/£19 for the day. Looking for a fun outdoor activity for family or friends and learn more about the local culture and mountains www.singletrailverbier.com are great guides.
The Verbier Infinite Playground (VIP) Pass is available until the end of October and offers free entry or discounts to more than 100 of Verbier’s top activities and attractions including:
- Free admission to mountain lifts on foot
- 50% discount on mountain lifts for mountain bikers
- reduction on bike hire
- Free transport by postal bus
- More than 45 free activities or at reduced prices
The VIP Pass is delivered to every guest staying a minimum of one night in the region. B&B accommodation at the 4* Hotel de Verbier from £134 per night per room, £67pp. Please visit www.hoteldeverbier.com. 
Verbier: www.verbier.ch

 

A sumptuous, autumnal escape at Le Château de Candie in Chambéry, south-east France, with Ski France 

Near the centre of Chambéry, which is renowned for La Fontaine des Eléphants, the impressive Château des Ducs de Savoie, and the interesting Musee des Charmettes, sits the luxurious four-star Château de Candie. The 14th century castle blends past and present seamlessly to create a memorable stay. Guests can admire the beautiful architecture, enjoy the exceptional views across the valley and make the most of the cooling outdoor pool. As well as the spacious rooms (25 in total, accommodating up to four people) with soft sofas, walk-in showers, claw-footed baths and tall windows, Le Château de Candie has an opulent tower suite, ideal for couples after a romantic retreat. Plus, guests can wander through the castle’s own vineyard, which yields circa 3,000 bottles of wine each year. Late September / early October is the perfect time to witness the vendange (harvesting of grapes) at the Château; lucky guests might be able to take part in this unique event. After picking grapes, enjoy a delectable meal at L’Orangerie, a gourmet restaurant offering set taster menus and a wide variety of local produce, including a dessert made with honey produced from the chateau’s own beehives. 
Ski France (0203 475 4756, www.skifrance.co.uk)

 

The cool French Mediterranean coast, with Pierre & Vacances

Situated in south-eastern France, an hour north of the Spanish border, the brand new premium residence Horizon Golf is located on the coast, seven miles from Perpignan. The region is typically a pleasant 20C throughout the month of October, perfect for exploring the nearby town of Saint Cyprien, with its delightful Medieval architecture, 12th Century Belltower and stylish restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Despite there being fewer tourists at this time of year, all the hotel facilities and local attractions remain open. The property, which is in walking distance of the beach, benefits from a heated outdoor pool, sauna, a cardio training space, onsite supermarket, bar, and restaurant serving an array of local and international cuisine. The four-star residence is just a stone's throw from the par-73 international golf course. Design by duo Tomlinson and Wright, and officially inaugurated in 1976, the course is regarded as one for the most formidable in the region and has played host to several prestigious tournaments, including pre-qualifying events for the European Tour. 
Pierre & Vacances (0870 0267 145, www.pierreetvacances.co.uk)

 

Gear up for a trip to Grenoble this autumn, France

Grenoble is popularly known as the ‘Capital of the Alps’ and is the capital of Isère. Its position is fantastic, between the Drac and Isère rivers and surrounded on either side by the mountain regions of Chartreuse to the northeast and Vercors to the southwest. A famous university city, and the cultural heart of Isère, Grenoble attracts high-tech industries. It all makes for a lively city, with bars and restaurants (with Michelin Stars) filling the maze of streets where medieval and modern buildings mix happily. The old town is fascinating with museums ranging from the Musée de Grenoble which has one of the best art collections in France to the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation de l’Isère, telling the story of one of the major centres of the Resistance in France during World War II.  The standout attraction is the 18th century fortress of La Bastille with its spectacular, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Getting there is equally as exciting. Take the téléphérique cable car from the centre of the city where spherical gondolas – called ‘Les Bulles’ or bubbles – whisk you up the 263 m/826 ft to La Bastille. There is a good walk around Grenoble taking in renowned local and international street artists who gather annually in Grenoble for more than a month to adorn the walls with monumental works of art. It’s also worth checking out the new Champollion museum in Vif near Grenoble. Set in the Champollion family home, it’s dedicated to the 19th-century quest and obsession with Egypt. Stay at centrally located Hotel 1924 in October, which costs £138 per room for a two-night stay. 
Isère: www.isere-tourism.com