Autumn travel ideas: 10 adventures to book now

Autumn on your travel radar? Good call. It’s travel’s sweet spot – fewer crowds, friendlier prices and the weather’s still playing nice. We’ve rounded up ten off-script adventures to keep that summer state of mind rolling.

South Africa: Garden Route to game drives

Spring in the Southern Hemisphere makes UK autumn the perfect time to explore South Africa. Spot southern right whales breaching off Hermanus, hike the mild Garden Route trails and toast the season with a Cape Winelands tasting. Round it off with Big Five game drives and firelit evenings in the Eastern Cape.

Portugal from all angles

This multi-centre trip shows Portugal in three incredible lights. Wander Lisbon’s quirky neighbourhoods and historic cafés, fly to the wild Azores for postcard scenes that rival Hawaii and finish in Porto, with sweeping river views and vineyards glowing gold for harvest.

Three coasts of Mauritius

Mauritius is known for powerhouse beaches – so why stop at just one? Autumn here means sun drenched days and cool, comfortable evenings – holiday weather at its best. This 12 night itinerary moves you across three distinct coasts: the east’s sleek sophistication, the south’s wild landscapes and the southwest’s towering peaks and jaw dropping sunsets. Five star hotels, private transfers and plenty of beach time mean you get the best of all worlds.

Mountains & Med blues: Cyprus

Sitting closer to the Middle East than mainland Europe, Cyprus stays warm long after the rest of the Med cools down. Instead of spending every day on the beach, this trip takes you a little deeper: start on the slopes of the Troodos Mountains, tasting local wines, learning to make halloumi and unwinding in the spa’s snow cabin. Then switch to golden sands at a Byzantine inspired resort in Paphos.

A spring fling in Australia

Fancy a down under adventure? UK autumn means spring in Western Australia – a season of wildflower lined trails, purple jacaranda blooms and clear skies ideal for road tripping. Kick off in Perth to cruise the Swan River and meet the selfie ready quokkas of Rottnest Island, then wind through the forests, vineyards and beaches of the southwest for a road trip to remember.

The Golden Road: Andalucía

Get behind the wheel, off Spain’s beaten beach track, and explore Andalucía’s cultural heart on this boot-to-beach escape. Tap your toes to flamenco rhythms in Seville, wander through Córdoba’s intricate Mezquita and marvel at Granada’s Alhambra. Round it all off with downtime on Marbella’s glitzy Golden Mile.

The magic of Rajasthan

Autumn is festival season in Rajasthan, with Diwali lights illuminating Jaipur and celebrations filling markets and palaces with colour. We’ve created an 11-night, culture-rich itinerary where you’ll explore pink hued palaces, cobalt blue lanes and centuries old forts, finishing in Mumbai for one last burst of big city energy.

Fall for New England

New England comes alive in September and October with a bounty of autumn activities – think apple picking, cranberry festivals, corn mazes and pumpkin patches galore. Add superb seafood restaurants, food fairs and spectacular fall foliage and you’ve got the recipe for an unforgettable holiday. This road trip begins in vibrant Boston and ends with a beach break on Cape Cod’s sands.

An Arabia duo

See two sides of the UAE in one trip. Start with Dubai – glittering skyscrapers, slick malls and desert adventures – before slowing things down in Ras Al Khaimah. Here, sea, desert and mountains meet, with zip lining, hiking and hot springs giving this hidden gem its edge.

Lakeside living in Italy

In autumn, temps cool down in the Italian Lakes, but the nearby mountains keep the lake water warm. This two-toned twin centre pairs up lakeside living with city explorations. Spend a few days strolling through café-lined piazzas and watching opera under the stars in Romeo and Juliet’s city, then swap the scene to storybook villages and the serene waters of Lake Garda.

This article was created on 30th July 2025. The information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Feature by Heather Flanagan.