Autumn Holiday Ideas from Travel PR

Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy a cosy break in the UK or some last-minute sun in Europe. Here are some Autumn holiday ideas from Travel PR:

In the UK…

NEW: Cosy, countryside and contemporary comfort – North Yorkshire from £131 pp with holidaycottages.co.uk
Built in 2020 and decorated throughout with Joules’ signature bedding, furniture, accents and accessories, a stay at Silver Birch Lodge (sleeps six) is a treat in any season. Add to that its spectacular setting, amid the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty yet just a short drive from the pretty spa town of Harrogate, and you are on to an autumn winner. Tucked away on a secluded hillside in the southern Yorkshire Dales, active types and nature lovers alike will be spoilt for choice, returning after an exhilarating day to flake out on sumptuous sofas (there’s a cosy wood burner) or snuggle under a blanket on the outdoor deck with stunning countryside views… and a hot tub. A three-night stay costs from £131 pp (£786 total). Call holidaycottages.co.uk on 01237 459888 (www.holidaycottages.co.uk).

Because dogs like autumn holidays too – the Peak District for £99 pp with Canine Cottages
Families with as many (or more) dogs as people need look no further for their autumn escape than Lily’s Cottage. Sleeping four humans and up to five pampered pooches, it’s set in the heart of Hartington, a popular Peak District village, and oozes with original features: think exposed beams, tiled flooring, and a characterful stone fireplace. There is a plethora of walks to enjoy in the surrounding national park, including the Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail, as well as the picturesque towns of Buxton and Bakewell to visit, plus a pretty cottage garden from which to enjoy uninterrupted rural views over a morning cuppa. A three-night stay costs £99 pp (£394 total). £20 supplement per dog. Call Canine Cottages on 01237 459821 (www.caninecottages.co.uk).

Vibrant autumn colours in the Lake District – from £115 pp with Pride of Britain Hotels
One of the most picturesque spots in the UK to visit in autumn, the Lake District boasts rolling landscapes of green turning into golds and reds, glassy reflective lakes, dramatic mist-covered vistas and rich wildlife. Located within 400 acres of deer park and woodland near Bassenthwaite Lake in Keswick, Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is a luxurious 17^th century former stately home offering the ideal base from which to explore the area. Choose from a range of activities including hiking, canoeing, kayaking, archery and more, before retiring for a cosy drink in the Courtyard Bar and dinner in the Lake View Restaurant. An overnight stay costs from £230 per room (£115 pp, two sharing) including breakfast. Activities extra. Call Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929.

Autumn staycation in Warwickshire – two nights from £229 pp at Mallory Court
Enjoy a relaxing autumn break at Mallory Court Country House Hotel & Spa near Leamington Spa. Its state-of-the-art Elan Spa offers pre-bookable timeslots in the vitality pool and indoor hydro pool, plus a range of holistic spa treatments and a gym. The hotel is superbly located for visits to Warwick Castle, the British Motor Museum and Compton Verney’s parkland and art gallery. The Late Summer Staycation is priced from £458 total/£229 pp (two sharing) and includes two nights’ accommodation, seasonal Bellini, dinner on one night (Taste of the Season menu with homegrown produce), a picnic afternoon tea and full English breakfast. Offer valid until 30^th Sept. Call Mallory Court on 01926 330 214 (www.mallory.co.uk).

Golden hues and forest walks – two nights from £198 pp at Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club
Sitting within 186 acres of Ashdown Forest, Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club is the perfect base for a cosy autumn break with walking and cycling trails on the doorstep. Dine in the hotel’s new Forest Brasserie overlooking the Country Club’s 18-hole par-3 golf course; swim indoors or have a spa treatment; take tea beside a roaring log fire and indulge in the award-winning cuisine in the Anderida Restaurant. The Autumn Escape is priced from £396 total/ £198 pp (two sharing) and includes two nights’ accommodation, cream tea on arrival, two-course dinner (2^nd night), full English breakfast and noon checkout. Valid until 20^th December/subject to availability. Call Ashdown Park on 01342 824988 (www.ashdownpark.com).

Follow in Shakespeare’s footsteps in Stratford-upon-Avon – from £85 pp at The Arden Hotel
Autumn is a wonderful time to explore Stratford-upon-Avon with fewer crowds. Visit the home of Shakespeare’s birth and Holy Trinity Church, where a young Shakespeare was baptised, and the great playwright was laid to rest in 1616. Stay in the historic heart of the city overlooking the River Avon – perfect for paddle boarding – at The Arden Hotel, an elegant 45-bedroom boutique hotel with a sunny terrace. The Late Summer Staycation is priced from £169 per room/£85 pp (two sharing) and includes overnight accommodation, afternoon tea, a seasonal Bellini and full English breakfast. Offer valid until 30^th Sept. Call The Arden Hotel on 01789 298 682 (www.theardenhotelstratford.com).

In EUROPE…

Autumn in the Arctic – Svalbard activity and gastronomic break from £1,427 pp with Sunvil
Autumn paints the landscape of Svalbard with glorious golden hues and the first dusting of snow. Be surrounded by nature at Camp Barentz – with its 360° mountain views and resident reindeers and arctic foxes. Experience the dark and cool atmosphere of a local coal mine, taste beer made from 2000-year-old glacial water at the Svalbard brewery, and take an exhilarating guided hike to the summit of Stone Mountain. Visit between 8-11 October for the Taste Svalbard Festival to sample gastronomic delights, from street food to creative tasting menus. The trip costs from £1,427 pp (two sharing) including flights (London), three nights’ accommodation, most meals, and experiences detailed. Call Sunvil* on 020 8758 4722 (www.sunvil.co.uk).

Puglia, an off-season paradise – Italy from £1,057 pp with Sunvil
With wonderfully mild temperatures, autumn can be a great time to visit Puglia, where you can even take a dip in the sea until late October. For wine lovers, it is also the time of the grape harvest, with many towns celebrating the new wine with festivals. Enjoy day trips to the wonderful city of Monopoli with its lovely small port and white Apulian houses, or head to Lecce for delicious local delicacies at its many restaurants and trattorias. Stay at Hotel Borgo San Marco, a fortified farmhouse dripping with charm and well placed for visiting the beaches of the Adriatic coast. Seven nights’ B&B cost from £1,057 pp (two sharing) including flights (London) and car hire. Call Sunvil* on 020 8758 4722 (www.sunvil.co.uk).

Experience the real Paxos – now from £825 pp, save £150 pp with GIC The Villa Collection
Get a taste for what the Greek island of Paxos is like for the locals, when it is quieter and crowd-free, but still enjoying lovely, warm temperatures. Stay at Erimitis View, a delightful one-bedroom cottage, overlooking the dramatic west coast of Paxos in the hamlet village of Manesatika. Named after the Erimitis cliffs, the villa is a great central base to explore the ports of Loggos, Lakka and Gaios, and is close to Magazia – a charming inland village favoured by the locals. A seven-night self-catering holiday now costs from £825 pp (two sharing), including flights (Gatwick), ferry transfers and car hire. Departs 5 October. Call GIC The Villa Collection* on 020 8232 9780 (www.gicthevillacollection.com)

Chestnut and truffle season in Tuscany – Italy from £387 pp with CV Villas
Autumn marks the start of the season for two of Italy’s most well-loved ingredients – chestnuts and truffles – particularly renowned in the lush region of Tuscany, where they feature in dishes region-wide, from street food carts to Michelin-starred restaurants. Enjoy Italy’s autumn bounty on a villa holiday staying at La Casa della Chiesa, an elegant stone Tuscan villa surrounded by rolling countryside. Within driving distance of historic Camaiore and Lucca’s piazzas, the five-bedroomed property features supremely comfortable living spaces – including a cosy fireplace – and entertainment from table tennis to an outdoor pool. A week’s stay is from £387 pp (£3,487 total – nine sharing). Flights extra. Call CV Villas on 0207 261 5402 (www.cvvillas.com).

Where the autumn climate is as warm as the welcome – Sicily short break for £695 pp with Jules Verne
With its historic old town, picturesque harbour and ample opportunities for delicious al fresco dining, the pretty coastal resort of Cefalù is perfect for an autumn escape. Stay at the centrally located four-star Artemis Hotel, just a few steps from the sea and ideally located for meandering the medieval streets. This four-night break also includes a small group tour to Palermo, just an hour away by train, to explore the fascinating Sicilian capital in the company of a guide. Departing 20 October, A Sicilian Classic Resort costs £695 pp (two sharing), including flights (Gatwick), transfers, B&B, excursions, and the services of local guides and representatives. Call Jules Verne on 020 3553 3722 (www.vjv.com).

Save £420 pp on a splendid four-star stay in La Serenissima – Venice from £778 pp with Kirker
There can be few more memorable experiences than autumn in Venice, the city’s iconic canals and distinctive architecture bathed in mesmerising golden hues. Enjoy its delights without the usual crowds on a restorative short break, staying at the four-star Hotel Splendid, conveniently located between St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. Until 31 October, enjoy three nights from £778 pp (two sharing) – saving £420 pp – including flights (London), return water taxi transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Concierge, Kirker Guide Notes, and guaranteed entrance to the Doge’s Palace. Call Kirker* on 020 7593 2283, www.kirkerholidays.com.

*AITO is The Specialist Travel Association: more than 120 specialist travel companies providing an unrivalled collection of holiday ideas that cover every corner of the world. Consumers booking with AITO can be assured of high-quality holidays and excellent personal service. Visit www.aito.com for further information.

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Press: Please call Sue Ockwell, Julia Farish, Karen Carpenter, Jackie Franklin, Laura Forbes, Lizzie Cooper or Mischa Mack at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email initial.surname@travelpr.co.uk for further information.