Autumn Sunshine Inspo
Preston-based travel expert, Joanne Wilson, gives the lowdown on some of the best places to head to for autumn sunshine
October and November Hotspots
Autumn is a wonderful time to get away, and you don’t have to go far to catch some early winter sunshine. Here’s a few of my personal favourites, from Morrocco to the Med!
Cyprus
This island is an ever-popular choice for its inviting sandy beaches and bays. But there’s more to Cyprus than lounging on the sand – the striking rugged interior is perfect for adventurous pursuits, including hiking through the Troodos Mountains and paddling in the Caledonian waterfalls, while a rich history stretching back thousands of years have embellished it with major cultural sites including the Tomb of Kings, Temple of Aphrodite and Kamares Aqueduct.
Morocco
By October, temperatures in North Africa have cooled sufficiently for discovering Morocco’s many charms. From exploring buzzy cities such as Marrakech to hiking in the Atlas Mountains, from staying in a luxury camp in the desert to surfing or kite-surfing in Essaouira or other Atlantic coast towns. Best of all, combine a Morocco city break with a luxury desert camp, a hiking trip or a beach break and you have all the makings of the perfect holiday.
Mauritius
This tropical-island paradise in the Indian Ocean has warm weather and low rainfall in the month of October, making it ideal for everything from couples’ getaways to October half-term breaks with the kids. Water sports are one of the most popular activities here, but there’s also wildlife spotting to be done in a thrilling setting of mountains, waterfalls and sugarcane fields.
Baja California Peninsula, Mexico
The world’s second-longest peninsula is a gorgeous 1,200km stretch of untamed landscapes including canyons and mountains circled by condors. The surfing and the hiking are both brilliant here, with spectacular views all along the Carretera Transpeninsular (Highway 1) from Tijuana to Los Cabos, as is the food! A highlight of the region is the Parque Nacional Sierra San Pedro Mártir with its bobcats, deer and bighorn sheep.
Tenerife
The most-visited of the Canaries is best known for its blissful beaches but has an array of other pristine landscapes offering activities best enjoyed in the milder winter sunshine. Milder temperatures make winter the ideal time to climb Mount Teide, for instance – Spain’s highest peak, set in its own otherworldly, UNESCO-listed National Park. Winter is also a great time for hikers and cyclists to make the most of the island’s lunar-like landscapes, ancient forests and dramatic coastlines.
Las Vegas
This resort city in the Mojave Desert is lively all year round thanks to its iconic entertainment, nightlife, casinos, shopping and restaurants, but it truly comes into its own in October – there are fewer crowds, but this 24-hour city is alive with outrageous Halloween parties, sporting events including soccer, baseball and hockey and music concerts.
Contact me to chat through your travel plans, both for the rest of this year and in 2025!
Joanne Wilson
07798 910294
joanne.wilson@travelcounsellors.com
