Autumn in Europe

Eight Beautiful Escapes

Autumn is a wonderful time to explore Europe. Vineyards turn gold as the harvest begins, countryside walks reveal rich seasonal colours, and cooler days make exploring the great cities a pleasure.

From September to November, enjoy Europe at a gentler pace, with fewer crowds and time to explore. Stay in a welcoming country house hotel, discover local food and wine, or spend a few days enjoying a city’s museums, galleries and music.

Here are eight of our favourite destinations for an autumn escape, with each journey tailored to your interests.

Tuscany, Italy - Harvests, Truffles & Golden Light

Autumn is a lovely time to discover Tuscany, as the vineyards across the Chianti hills change colour and the grape and olive harvests bring activity to the countryside. Join a local truffle hunter and dog in the woods near San Miniato, taste freshly pressed olive oil on warm bread, or enjoy a leisurely lunch with wines from nearby vineyards. Explore Siena with your private guide, visit a wine estate for a cellar tour and tasting, or learn to prepare Tuscan dishes in a country kitchen. A scenic drive through the Val d’Orcia, stopping at hilltop villages along the way, is another wonderful way to enjoy the region.

Where to Stay: Borgo Santo Pietro, near Chiusdino, is an exquisitely restored country estate where gardens, a superb kitchen and deep Tuscan calm frame the harvest season.

Loire Valley, France: Châteaux, Vineyards & Autumn Colour

This time of year is especially beautiful in the Loire Valley, when the changing leaves add colour to the grounds of Chenonceau, Chambord and the region’s many other historic châteaux. Discover their history with your private guide, cycle along country lanes or visit a family-run wine estate to taste the wines of Vouvray or Chinon. A guided mushroom-foraging walk offers another way to enjoy the countryside, followed by lunch in a welcoming local inn. With magnificent gardens, pretty villages and plenty of opportunities to enjoy regional food and wine, the Loire Valley is an inviting choice for a leisurely autumn stay.

Where to Stay: Les Sources de Cheverny is a handsome, contemporary country retreat near Château de Cheverny, with a Caudalie spa and a wonderfully restorative woodland setting.

Vienna, Austria: Music, Coffee Houses & Autumn Gold

As the days grow cooler, Vienna’s music, art and historic coffee houses make it an appealing choice for a city break. Enjoy an opera or concert, explore the galleries, or stop for coffee and a slice of cake in a traditional Viennese café. Discover the historic city centre with your private guide, visiting elegant squares and quiet courtyards. For a change of pace, head to the Vienna Woods, where woodland walks reveal the season’s golden colours. Spend an evening at the Musikverein or Vienna State Opera before enjoying dinner in one of the city’s excellent restaurants. Vienna offers a rewarding stay for anyone who enjoys music, history and good food.

Where to Stay: Hotel Sacher Wien, facing the Vienna State Opera, offers old-world glamour, discreet service and the irresistible convenience of a curtain-rise on its doorstep.

Douro Valley, Portugal: Harvest Traditions & River Views

The Douro Valley is especially beautiful at harvest time, when its terraced vineyards turn gold and red above the winding river. The grape harvest, known as the vindima, brings activity to the region’s wine estates and an opportunity to learn about local winemaking traditions. Take a private boat trip along the river, visit a family-run estate for a cellar tour and tasting, or enjoy a leisurely lunch paired with local wines.

With sweeping vineyard views and welcoming places to stay, the Douro is ideal for a relaxing countryside escape. Take time to enjoy the scenery from a terrace, with a glass of wine and an afternoon ahead of you.

Where to Stay: Six Senses Douro Valley, in a beautifully restored 19th-century manor above the river, pairs vineyard views with exceptional wellness and thoughtful Portuguese hospitality.

Bavaria, Germany: Alpine Colour & Fairytale Castles

Bavaria combines lively traditions with beautiful countryside at this time of year. Munich’s Oktoberfest brings music and celebrations, while the Alpine foothills offer peaceful lakes, colourful forests and pretty villages. Visit Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles, explore the region with your private driver-guide, or enjoy a woodland walk with views of the mountains.

Stop for coffee and apple strudel in a village café before returning to your hotel for a relaxed dinner featuring Bavarian specialities. Whether you prefer exploring Munich or spending time in the countryside, Bavaria offers plenty to enjoy as the seasons change.

Where to Stay: Schloss Elmau, set in a high Bavarian valley, is a celebrated luxury retreat with a remarkable spa, fine dining and mountain walks from the door.

The Scottish Highlands: Golden Glens & Fireside Evenings

The Scottish Highlands are particularly beautiful as the leaves change colour, with golden birch trees, rust-red hillsides and mist drifting across the lochs. During the deer rut, you may hear the distinctive roar of stags across the glens. Explore with your private driver-guide, stopping at scenic viewpoints, historic castles and small villages along the way. Enjoy a guided woodland walk or visit a whisky distillery for a tour and tasting. As the evenings grow cooler, return to a welcoming Highland hotel for dinner and a single malt beside the fire. It is a lovely time to experience Scotland’s landscapes and warm hospitality at a leisurely pace.

Where to Stay: The Fife Arms in Braemar brings artful Highland character, exceptional food and a celebrated whisky bar to the edge of the Cairngorms.

The Lake District, England: Autumn Reflections & Country House Comfort

The Lake District’s wooded shores and mountain views are especially beautiful when the leaves turn gold and copper. Cooler days are perfect for lakeside walks, village visits and lunch in a welcoming country inn. Explore with your private driver-guide, stopping at scenic viewpoints and places associated with Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. A private boat trip offers a relaxing way to enjoy the lakes and surrounding fells from the water. Return to an elegant country house hotel for afternoon tea beside the fire, followed by dinner featuring local Cumbrian produce. With beautiful scenery and comfortable places to stay, the Lake District is an inviting choice for a peaceful countryside break.

Where to Stay: Langdale Chase sits on the shores of Lake Windermere, offers laid-back luxury amid some of England's finest scenery — a place to explore or simply unwind".

Istria, Croatia:Truffles, Hill Towns & Olive Harvests

Istria is a wonderful choice for those who enjoy good food, local wine and historic towns. As the summer crowds leave, explore the coast and the inland hill towns of Motovun, Grožnjan and Oprtalj at a more leisurely pace. Join a local truffle hunter and dog in the woods around Motovun, then enjoy a lunch featuring freshly shaved truffles. Visit a family-run olive estate to taste newly pressed oil, or stop at a winery to discover the region’s Malvazija and Teran wines. Your private guide can introduce you to Istria’s Venetian heritage, village life and regional food traditions. With welcoming hotels and plenty to explore, this corner of Croatia makes a rewarding escape during the harvest season.

Where to Stay: Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery, near Bale, is a refined estate of stone cottages, vineyards and olive groves, ideally placed for Istria’s gastronomic season.

Whether you are drawn to Tuscany’s food and wine, Scotland’s spectacular scenery or a cultural city break, we would love to help you plan your autumn escape. Each journey is tailored to your interests, with carefully chosen hotels, private guides and memorable experiences along the way. Get in touch to start planning.

With warm wishes,

Henrietta