This Channel Islands gem, less than an hour’s flight away, is old-fashioned, unspoilt and famed for its gorgeous gardens. As you drive along winding lanes framed by tall hedgerows, you’ll also see ‘hedge veg’ as the locals call it – homegrown produce and flowers offered up for sale with an honesty box.

Guernsey has a stunning coastline with magnificent clifftop walks, sandy beaches and hidden coves. It’s been a prime target for attack throughout history so you’ll see scores of concrete lookout posts, built by the Germans, during their Second World War occupation as well as much older Napoleonic towers. The capital of St Peter Port is a beauty, with a jumble of colourful houses and elegant buildings sloping down to the harbor. It’s great for shopping and food with plenty of opportunities to eat outdoors. 

Our suggestions
● Visit the German Occupation Museum in Rue des Les Houards to see the fascinating wartime artefacts.
● Tour Victor Hugo’s house, in St Peter Port. The writer of Les Miserables lived in exile on the island and decorated his quirky home with a passion.
● The Little Chapel or Shell Church is the tiniest church in the world – only two people can fit in it at a time – decorated with shells and pieces of broken glass and china from all over the world.

Book it
● Stay at the five-star Old Government House Hotel, with a tranquil garden, pool and spa near the quayside. Classic rooms from £125 per room per night (01481 724981).
● Aurigny Air Services flies to Guernsey from Gatwick from £39.50 on way (01481 822886).
● For more on Guernsey visit www.visitguernsey.com

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Embrace autumn: seasonal inspirations

Take a walk on Jersey

Portugal’s second city is first-class when it comes to food, fascinating history and lots of fun things to do. Grand, solid and dramatic, Porto’s architecture is as rich and lovely as a fine port wine. The river Douro is the flowing heart of the city. The ancient Ribeira district has a lively quayside for eating and drinking with fabulous views over Gaia and its famous port warehouses with familiar names, such as Sandeman, Taylor’s and Graham’s.

Attractive, everyday shops abound. Livraria Lello (144 Rua das Carmelitas) is one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, and is said to have inspired JK Rowling to write Harry Potter.

Take a guided tour of Porto’s former stock exchange building, the Palácio da Bolsa, where the rooms reveal frescoes, marquetry flooring, carved ceilings and plaster detailing made to look like wood.

In Porto’s colourful market Mercado Do Bolhão, in the heart of the city, you’ll find everything from fish to fresh bread and souvenirs. Right opposite, don’t miss the A Pérola do Bolhão a wonderful cake shop/café selling Pastel de nata – Portugal’s famous egg custard tarts. And that leaves Café Majestic for a well-earned rest. This stunning 19th-century café and restaurant will take you back to an era of glamour and romance.

Our suggestions
● Visit Porto’s traditional fado houses which showcase mournful singing to Spanish guitar and lute. Enjoy a drink or a meal while you listen.
● Enjoy a lazy lunch of fried cod and local wine at D. Tonho on the famous Porto quayside.
● Guimarães (a short drive from Porto) is European Capital of Culture 2012. For details of free events visit www.guimaraes2012.com

Book it
● Double rooms at Hotel Teatro start from about £90.
● TAP Portugal flies daily from Gatwick to Porto from £59 one way (0848 601 0932).
● For more info on Porto visit www.visitporto.com

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Embrace autumn: seasonal inspirations

Just three and a half hours by Eurostar from London, this warm, friendly city is brimming with wonderful restaurants, beautiful parks and excellent museums. Go Dutch and explore by bike with a fun, informative tour with BikeAround. Or take a Spido boat tour and sail under the stunning Erasmus Bridge. Enjoy views of picturesque Veerhaven part of the historic maritime quarter, where luxury yachts are moored. Marvel at the enormous ocean liners and the bustling industry of one of the world’s largest ports.

To experience a panoramic view, visit the Euromast Tower, the highest observation tower in the Netherlands. Take the Euroscope rotating lift the last 85m to the top – it’s breathtaking!

Our suggestions
● Dine with a view in the fabulous brasserie at the top of Euromast (about £36.50 for three courses).
● Enjoy amazing Italian food at local favourite Spaghettata, modern but authentic (meal with wine around £50).
● For lunch, try Hotel Bazar, an off-beat restaurant and hotel offering affordable dishes from North Africa and the Middle East. 

Book it
● Stay at the elegant Hotel New York, with rooms from £80 per night.
● Eurostar offers return fares to Rotterdam from £118 (018432186186).
● For more info on Rotterdam visit www.holland.com

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Embrace autumn: seasonal inspirations

The chic Basque city of Biarritz and its discreet neighbor St-Jean-de-Luz, on France’s rugged Atlantic coast, can be reached by plane in just two hours. With its distinctive red and white houses and its own language, the Basque region is ideal for an action-packed activity holiday or a restorative break. The French flock here year-round to breathe the fresh sea air, relax and recuperate in the famous thalassotherapy spa hotels dotted along the coast.

In the calming Hélianthial Thalasso and Spa hotel on the sandy beach in St-Jean-de-Luz, a range of sea-based treatments await. Enjoy a leisurely swim in the beachside Bio Marin Spa pool. Then, dine in the Restaurant L’Atlantique on dishes based on the region’s famous seafood, cheese, ham, red peppers and cherries. A few kilometres up the coast in Biarritz, the Hotel Caritz provides a handy base for checking out the Galleries Lafayette store, and buying specialities and tempting patisseries at the undercover market.

Wander along the cliffs to the lighthouse and watch the scores of surfers riding the waves. After all that sea air you’ll be hungry, so head back to the Caritz to enjoy tasty, modern Basque specialities.

Up in the Pyrenees mountains, La Rhune forms a backdrop to Biarritz. Board the Petit Train de la Rhune up the 2,700ft summit for a 360-degree view of the coast and into Spain.

Our suggestions
● Sip a hot chocolate at the stylish Miremont tearoom in Biarritz.
● Enjoy a cuppa in the five-star Hotel du Palais.
● Visit the mountain village of Espelette to see houses covered in red peppers, hanging up to dry.

Book it
● Two nights and six treatments at the Hélianthal Thalasso and Spa costs around £380. Reader offer receive ten per cent off bookings made by 30 September 2012 for stays until 31 March 2013. Call 00 33 559 515151 and quote Prima.
● Le Caritz has rooms from £100 per night.
● Fly to Biarritz with Ryanair from London Stansted for around £70 return

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Embrace autumn: seasonal inspirations

An hour’s flight will transport you to this southern Irish city, full of music, culture and culinary delights. Whether it’s a jazz quartet playing to shoppers, or an Irish band belting out crowd-pleasers in a traditional pub, the infectious sound of music is always in the air.

Cork is embraced by the two channels of the River Lee, whose calming waterways and pretty bridges provide an enchanting backdrop to delightful waterfront cafés.

Everything is within walking distance, so grab a map and explore the boutiques and bookshops lining the warren of narrow lanes. Or hit smart St Patrick’s Street, with its theatrical street lighting and high-street favourites.

Take a scenic walk along the river to the fascinating 19th-century Cork City Gaol. Then wander toward the intricately designed St Fin Barre’s Cathedral with its beautiful stained glass windows and surrounding gardens before marvelling at the innovative displays at the Lewis Glucksman Gallery.

Our suggestions
● Explore the stunning coastline on a speedy Cork Sea Safari. Waterproofs and life jackets are provided but wrap up warm.
● Hop on a bus or train and explore one of Cork’s nearby charming towns and villages. Midleton, a 20 minute bus ride away, hosts a bustling farmer’s market every Saturday with live music.
● Whiskey fans can tour the old distillery at Midleton.
● Keep an eye out for tourist brochures with money-off coupons and offers on restaurants and activities in the area.

Booking
● Stay at the grand four-star Imperial hotel from £45 per person per night B&B.
● Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Cork for around £85.
● For more on Cork, visit www. discoverireland.com.  

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Embrace autumn: seasonal inspirations