The autumn is a great time to travel in search of sun. The summer holiday crowds have dispersed and you can still find some lovely, warm temperatures and great prices.

With average high temperatures above 25°C in October, we've put together a list of our favourites.

☀️ Average maximum temperature: 24C.
🛫 Gatwick to Rhodes.
🕒 Average flight time: 4 hrs 5 mins.

Rhodes, in the Dodecanese Island chain located just off the coast of Turkey, is rich in history, covered with large swathes of parkland, forest and beaches that cater to all different tastes. There is a huge variety of accommodation to choose from, to suite everyone from backpackers doing the European trail, to luxury seekers wanting something a bit more decadent.

Even in the smallest towns of Rhodes you won’t have trouble finding a little local taverna. In fact, some of the best food on the island can be had in these little family-run places. The vast majority of people that come to this gem of an island are looking for the sunny beaches with warm waters. Rhodes has many to choose from, and they all offer a different experience. Many of them are certified with the ‘Blue Flag” award, which means that they stand out from the rest.

The East side of the island generally has beaches with calmer waters, less big waves and crystal-clear seas. Along this coastline are resorts that cater to couples wanting to get away from it all, beaches that are notorious for their summertime party nightlife, hidden coves and caves you can explore with almost no one around and places that specialize in self-catering holidays.

Rhodes is very popular with windsurfers, as the breeze on that side of the island is constant, making it ideal for the sport. The further south you go on the West coast, the more sparsely populated the beaches become, meaning you can find secret hideaways all to yourself. In southern Rhodes you will find sun-drenched bays and beaches popular with kite surfers and windsurfers that are generally a bit more laid back and un-touristed. The small villages were built in medieval times and most still maintain their traditional colours.

The island isn’t all beaches and nightlife. Rhodes had a massive influence in the region during the Bronze age, and the civilizations of the island left behind impressive structures that never fail to impress. Rhodes town itself is surrounded by the old city walls and the fortress of the famous Knights of Rhodes is still standing. The city of Kámiros was one of the three most powerful cities of ancient Rhodes and the ruins are absolutely stunning. There are old Roman baths, Byzantine fortresses and old churches and monasteries. There is enough history on this island to keep you busy for days, that is if you can manage to pull yourself away from the beaches.

The natural beauty of the island should not be overlooked. The interior gets far fewer visitors and is worth exploring. There are many island treks that you can take, which wander through lush magical pine forests, mountain summits with unparalleled views and valleys. You will also get to sample some of the best locally grown produce, olives and honey if you seek out the right places.

☀️ Average maximum temperature: 21C.
🛫 Gatwick to Cagliari.
🕒 Average flight time: 2 hrs 45 mins.

A voyage over an emerald sea, past characteristic coves and beaches of snow-white sand… this is Sardinia.

Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is a mainly mountainous region, without high peaks and a vast and charming natural environment. Its nature has been preserved with luxuriant woods with even millenary trees, small desert areas and marshes inhabited by deer, wild horses and rapacious birds.

The sea reigns over this region with its colours that migrate into the coves, along the coasts, towards the beaches and the most popular resorts. An example is the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) with Porto Cervo set as its gemstone and uniting the history and culture of ancient traditions with a joyful and colourful nightlife. Porto Cervo was named after its enchanting cove that resembles the antlers of a deer; the Old Port is considered the best-equipped touristic port in the Mediterranean Sea. Porto Rotondo is also a famous location; it overlooks the wide Gulf of Cugnana and is full of villas and piazzas swathed by such a splendid natural environment.

Those who prefer the mountains can explore the area of Gennargentu, the vastest mountain range in Sardinia; with its peculiar landscape.

The region is rich in flora and fauna, with its mouflons, golden eagles and Sardinian deer.

Among its wonders, Sardinia offers the Nuragic complexes scattered all over the territory. These monuments are unique to the world, testifying to an ancient culture that - though it endured from the 16th to 15th Centuries B.C. still rains rather mysterious.

Sardinian food satisfies the most demanding palates with its simple and natural ingredients. The main ingredient is wheat, used to make the famous pane carasau, but also malloreddus, culurgiones and fregola.

You cannot leave the island without tasting the savory porceddu, a grilled suckling pig which is served on cork trays and covered in myrtle branches. As for fish, the lobster of Alghero, the bottarga of Cabras and Carloforte tuna fish are excellent. Other exclusive fish dishes are clam soup and spaghetti with sea urchins.

Sausages and cheeses are some of the tastiest local products, and Sardinian pecorino is certainly the most renowned.

And to drink? Accompany your meals with excellent wines, such as Vermentino di Gallura or Cannonau. Myrtle liqueur (Mirto) is delicious as well.

Andalucia, Spain.

☀️ Average maximum temperature: 26C.
🛫 Gatwick to Seville.
🕒 Average flight time: 2 hrs 45 mins.

Axis between Europe and Africa and meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, this region has been coveted by many different cultures throughout history and prehistory.

The region of Andalusia has a surface area of 87,268 km2 and represents 17.3% of Spain. It is, on its own, larger than countries like Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Austria or Switzerland.

The diversity of landscapes and geographical terrain gives rise to an array of environments that go from the heat of the Guadalquivir River valley through to luxuriant mid-mountain areas, volcanic landscapes such as the Tabernas desert, and the snow-capped peaks of Sierra Nevada.

The Guadalquivir is Andalusia’s most important river and brings life to many areas in its journey across the region.

In barely forty kilometres you can go from Alpine mountain landscapes to tropical areas on the shores of the Mediterranean. The coast of Andalusia stretches for almost 900 kilometres and is home to a large number of cities, towns and beaches that are a delight to visit.

The whole ensemble represents a range of attractions for tourists that goes from impressive monuments in large towns to typical small villages, which have provided a constant source of inspiration for all kinds of artists.

Andalusia today is a modern region with well-developed infrastructure. It offers a warm welcome to visitors and, while conscious of the need to modernise and move forward with the times, it is also careful to take care of its roots and maintain its important cultural heritage and monuments, legacy of the region’s ancestors.

Andalusia is the main holiday destination for Spanish nationals and one of the principal destinations for overseas tourists. The Andalusian coast is made up of a succession of unspoilt beaches, majestic cliffs, salt marshes teeming with wildlife and a little-known underwater world just waiting to be discovered.

You'll find a veritable holiday paradise with pleasant temperatures no matter the season, boasting almost a thousand kilometres of coastline with one factor in common; the sun.

Marrakech, Morocco.

☀️ Average maximum temperature: 29C.
🛫 Gatwick to Marrakech.
🕒 Average flight time: 3 hrs 35 mins.

Marrakech is still nourished by the various influences that have crossed it for 1000 years. At the gates of Europe, between mountain, desert and ocean, the oasis city continues, bringing together the past and the present; a symbol of well-being and the sweetness of life, it has established its legendary hospitality as an authentic art of living, popular with visitors from all over the world. Founded almost 1000 years ago, Marrakech has an extraordinary history, with a rich cultural heritage.

To get an idea of the richness of Marrakech craftsmanship and the know-how of its artisans, nothing beats a stroll through the souks of the medina. Among the most famous in Morocco, the souks of Marrakech offer an enriching experience.

The souks are also unique by their organization and size. They are organized by neighbourhood and by profession.

Stroll between Marrakech's museums with multiple and varied collections. Different faces of Marrakech and Morocco can thus be glimpsed. Traditional and popular art is widely represented at the Dar Si Said Museum, at the Maison de la Photographie in Marrakech and at the Bert Flint Museum.

The architectural richness and the diversity of styles of decoration and arrangement of the region's monuments give the city one of the most prestigious heritage assets in the country.

Among this heritage are sites of a romantic nature such as Menara, Agdal, Arsat Moulay Abdeslam, the Palmeraie… The city of Marrakech has long been a cultural crossroads whose influence extended over North Africa and Andalusia. From this period, the famous ramparts of the medina with their monumental doors and the Koutoubia mosque have remained.

Located near the souks of the medina, the architecture of the Koutoubia is representative of Almohad art characterized by a certain sobriety. Later, it is the Arab-Andalusian architecture that will prevail in the city. This heritage has been enriched by some achievements of the colonial era, such as the Jamaa El Fna post office, the old bank of Morocco, the Great Church, the colosseum cinema. Today all this heritage is still reflected in the new constructions. of the city like that of the Royal Theater.