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Autumn Travel

Autumn is a funny time isn’t it? You’re quite glad that the summer has gone so you can finally eat something substantial and hide it all under a baggy jumper but at the same time you’re not quite ready for the cold hard winter months to come. In the same way you want to go on holiday in autumn to catch your final rays of sun for the year but you don’t want to commit to a full blown vacation. If you’re anything like me, your holiday allowance will have nearly run out so you don’t really have the time to fit in a nice week in the sun and frankly with Christmas coming up your budget won’t take you anywhere that far a field. Autumn therefore has always been my time to explore Europe – take a Friday off, head out for a few nights and be back in time for work on Monday (or Tuesday if you really want to make an occasion of it!) I have spent many weekends in autumns gone by wandering around European cities, taking in the culture, doing a spot of shopping, eating magnificent food and working my way gradually towards winter. With low cost airlines providing great prices on European trips it is quite easy to do Europe on a budget and still stay in 4* comfort! Below are some of my favourite places to visit in autumn, along with a few ideas of what to do when you get there.

Gothenburg, Sweden – Take your Mum!
Gothenburg is a gem of a city and my destination of choice this year – once you get past telling people that you are heading to Batman’s home and that yes it is in fact a real place you can hotfoot it onto a flight and jet off for a few (and a mean a few) hours of sun. Autumn for me, is the perfect time to visit this city – any earlier and it’ll be sunny all day and any later and you’ll miss the sun altogether. If you’re a bit confused by what I mean by this worry not it took me a while to get it too – basically, in summer Sweden sometimes has 24 hours of daylight and from mid Dec-mid Jan it is often common for the sun to not rise at all – all to do with being far away from the equator (don’t ask me, I’m not a scientist!) Anyway, the city itself is attractive and friendly and from early November takes on a special atmosphere with spectacular lighting, Christmas carols and traditional Christmas markets. While I’m there I will be dedicating a day to Liseberg an amusement park located in the centre of the city, visiting the Universeum a brand new science and technology museum that is focused on the environment and spending an evening at the opera. The city is small allowing you to travel around on foot but with over 25 theatres, 18 museums and four Michelin-starred restaurants you won’t be short of things to keep you entertained and busy.

Paris, France – Take your Fella!
Ok, so Paris needs no introduction we all know it’s a wonderful city, a great place for lovers and a cultural metropolis. However, I’m going to tell you again! Paris is just wonderful in autumn – if you are thinking of arranging a romantic break as a Christmas present – do it early and head across the channel whilst the leaves are falling and the sun can still be glimpsed through the clouds. Spend your days taking long walks along rivers and parks, leaves crunching underfoot as you walk hand in hand with your lover. Drink hot coffee on pavement cafes watching the world go by as you smoother warm croissants with butter and laugh and joke and huddle together for warmth. If you’re young and in love there is no better place to while away the hours and if you’re old and in love you’ll be hard pressed to find a better place either!

Brighton, UK – Take your Girlfriends!
Ok, so for those of you who live in the UK, this might not seem very exciting – but how wrong you would be!! Brighton is a lively city and aside from the beach it is quite possibly one of the best places to shop in the whole of the country (and believe me, I’ve done a lot of shopping – I know!) Wander in and out of the Laines for boutique shops, vintage offerings and unique gift ideas or head to Churchill square for more traditional High Street stores. Once you have shopped till you have dropped there are loads of great hotels in Brighton that can provide the ultimate luxury at great prices including spa hotels and hotels with themed rooms. There are loads of places to eat and hip, trendy places to drink – check out Riki tiks for a bar with a difference! If you are there for a few days spend one evening in London and see a show – its only 40 minutes on the train and it’ll be like having a mini holiday on your holiday!!