Autumn is a great time for travelling and exploring destinations that are too crowded during the summer season. Travelling during the shoulder season means considerably cheaper flight tickets as well as accommodation. Taking current currency movements and airfares into account, we wrote a list of destinations you cannot miss!
Catch the last of summer rays
Mediterranean destinations combine the best of both worlds, history and beaches. Many locations still have pleasantly warm weather during autumn, making it ideal for sightseeing as well as sunbathing.
Costa Brava, Spain
Costa Brava, or “wild coast” is a great destination to visit any time of the year. With its micro-climate, you can expect the sunshine even in November. Fly directly from any major UK airport to Barcelona or Gerona from as little as £45 return. While Barcelona offers a plethora of shopping and cultural opportunities, head for the coast, where accommodation is considerably cheaper. You can reach Barcelona from most of the coastal towns either by train or bus. Both airports have excellent transport links.
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Croatia
Fly directly to Zadar and Pula from London airports from as little as £45 return, Split £50 return and Dubrovnik £70 return. With the crowds long gone, you can have the beaches and towns (think of fortified medieval towns, Venetian harbours and picturesque seafront villages) all to yourself.
Greek Islands
Take full advantage of cheap airfares and fly to popular islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes or Corfu. With great currency exchange rates and low prices in restaurants, Greece is an ideal destination if you’re watching the pennies.
Experience the culture
City breaks are great for experiencing local culture and soaking up the atmosphere. With kids being back at school, you can explore the sites without the crowds. Doesn’t it sound marvellous?
Copenhagen
With direct flights to Copenhagen from any major UK airport, you can visit this fascinating Scandinavian city for a fraction of the price. Return tickets cost as little as £30 and just under two hours you can stroll along the elegant streets of Copenhagen and the iconic harbourside.
Boston
New England’s largest city is a beautiful sight especially during this time of the year when the leaves turn yellow, orange and red. Direct flights from London can cost as little as £389 return. Don’t be afraid of flying indirectly, you can get a super cheap tickets flying via Reykjavik, and in ideal conditions, you can see Northern Lights from the comfort of your plane. You can also visit other destinations along the East Coast such as New York or Philadelphia. With great currency rates, you can take the full advantage of your Christmas shopping well in advance.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a charming French city near the German border and is a heaven for those seeking a pleasantly attractive city surrounded by nature. Think of medieval streets and picturesque squares. With direct flights from London, you can experience Strasbourg for as little as £30 return. You can treat Strasbourg as a hub for visiting the nearby Black Forest or Stuttgart.
Two in one
You can reduce the cost of the ticket by booking a twin centre. By choosing a less popular destination, you can save money as well as visiting two places.
Italy
One way tickets to and from Italy can cost as little as £25. Traditional twin centres combine Rome with Naples, Venice or Florence. You can reach all three cities easily, either by local bus or reliable, super speedy trains. Italy has an excellent rail network, enabling you to reach your desired destinations quickly. If you want to minimise the price, fly to cities such as Parma, Bologna, Genoa or Milan.
Norway
While return tickets to Bergen can be a bit pricey, you can fly to Oslo for considerably cheaper, and then fly back from Bergen or vice versa. This way, not only you will save a lot of money but also, you get to visit the Norwegian capital as well as the beautiful city also known as the gateway to fjords. And if you feel a little bit more adventurous, you can fly direct from Oslo to Svalbard, well beyond the Arctic Circle, where the polar bear population is greater than that of the human.
