We haven’t had the best summer, and more bad weather is on the way. The good news is that it is now an ideal time to plan a getaway before the Christmas season. You could take a city break with your partner, head off alone or bring your family on a group holiday.
To help you decide whether you’d prefer to bask in the sunshine, or open your eyes to a brand new experience, we have gathered several of this year’s most popular autumn destinations to inspire you to head abroad.
Cyprus
With ten thousand years of history that has seen it change hands between different cultures over a dozen times, Cyprus is a history lover’s paradise. It is also beautifully warm in the autumn, with temperatures averaging around 25°C.
If you enjoy walking then the Cape Greco protected national forest park offers stunning views of the sea from its cliffs, or you can admire the Tombs of the Kings, a world heritage site. You can also visit the medieval castle in Paphos harbour to watch one of the operas held there.
Lanzarote
This subtropical island will be around 22°C to 28°C on average throughout the autumn and winter – not too hot, not too cold. The northernmost of the Canary Islands allows you to take a boat to meet dolphins or a coach through the volcanic rock formations at Timanfaya National park.
You may want to stay by the pool at one of the many family-friendly all-inclusive resorts that you could enjoy with your grandchildren, but more adventurous tourists will explore the hill village of Haría or the high-class underground restaurant at Jameos Del Agua.
Montreal
For a change of pace, consider the largest city in Quebec and, according to some, the most beautiful city on Earth. Autumn is an ideal time to visit, as the copious greenery is turning red and a warm bagel or steaming plate of poutine will feel especially good.
Although French is the official language, English speakers will have no problem there. As la ville aux cent clochers (the city of a hundred steeples), you will have plenty to look at when walking its streets, but if you want to go inside there is always a cultural festival happening or jazz wafting from a basement wine bar.
Lisbon
With vintage tram-filled streets, confectionary-coloured buildings and temperatures from 15°C to 27°C during autumn, Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and the perfect place to discover in 2019.
4.5 million tourists visit each year, but the season is tailing off by September, so hotels will be cheaper and popular destinations less busy. You can walk through the historic Alfama to enjoy traditional architecture or head to the Mercado de Alvalade Norte farmers market for fresh produce.
Iceland
You know that this season will be cold at home, so why not go to one of the few places on Earth where the cold adds to the experience? With 360,000 citizens, Iceland has the population of a large town, making it an ideal place to get away from it all.
Renting a car to drive around the island on its ring-road will afford you some beautiful sights and, by night, you may get a glimpse of the northern lights. You can warm yourself at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa or, if you don’t mind the cold, join a whale-watching tour at Skjálfandi Bay. It’s the perfect place to go as a couple, or to get away from it all on your own.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with spending the latter part of the year inside with some winter vegetable soup and something good on the TV, but you probably imagined that your retirement years could be spent doing something more engaging.
If your finances are holding you back from the retirement you deserve, then equity release could be the perfect way to access the money you need.
Equity release works by enabling homeowners over 55 to tap into the equity (the money) that has built up in their homes over time as they have gradually repaid their mortgages and their property has typically increased in value.
So, enjoying holidays, helping children on the property ladder or supplementing your pension could be a reality in just a few short weeks.
So why not get in touch today? Call your local, expert adviser at Equity Release Supermarket on 0800 802 1051 or email us at [email protected]
