Have you got time to squeeze a pre-Christmas getaway in?

Whether you’re looking for some last-minute sunshine or a cosy city break, we’ve picked out some destinations for a getaway that isn’t too far away.

Breaks in the sun

Tenerife, Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are a great choice all year round. At this time of the year you can expect glorious sunshine and comfortable temperatures in the mid to late 20s. There are plenty of things to see and do on the island with eight golf courses open all year round.

For family breaks Tenerife is also home to Siam Park (Europe’s largest water park) if that’s your thing and you’ll also find a wide variety of restaurants and bars in all resorts, for some post-beach relaxation.

Rhodes, Greece

This time of year is ideal for visiting the Greek islands; less crowds and slightly lower temperatures make it the perfect time to explore the island, with cultural Rhodes Town in the north-east boasting amazing history and heritage.  Plus, no visit to Rhodes is complete without a visit to the Acropolis in Lindos, best viewed the beautiful St Paul’s Bay.

There are plenty of beaches around the island with some of the best being located in Faliraki.

The Algarve, Portugal

Whilst it may not be sunbathing weather (it might be, if you’re lucky) the beaches in the Algarve are breath-taking for a crisp walk. If you’re a culture vulture there’s plenty to see too, with many castles and churches along with a Moorish influence still visible through the narrow streets and chimneys of all shapes and sizes. And for keen foodies there’s a great selection on freshly-caught seafood at a plethora of seaside restaurants.

Picturesque city breaks

Paris, France

If it’s a romantic break you’re looking for then look no further than Paris. At this time of year the perfect photo opportunity awaits as the city becomes a beautiful orange, yellow and bright red as the autumn sets in and all of the trees shed their leaves.

As in the UK the weather can be a little unpredictable, but with so much to see and do you’ll not be worried about that. Take some time to visit the Louvre Museum or refuel at a local Parisian patisserie, bakery or chocolatier.

Venice, Italy

If you loath the crowds when you’re on holiday, this is the perfect time for a trip to Venice. Traveller numbers reduce the later you go into autumn which means that you can enjoy your gondola ride without spending hours having to queue for it.

Venice is a haven for foodies too, with its unique lagoon location and proximity to the island gardens of Sant’Erasmo genuine Venetian cuisine is far more than pizza and pasta – you’ll find a range of flavoursome dishes relying heavily on fish and vegetables.

Seville, Spain

This Spanish city has everything and it should be less crowded than any of the other cities mentioned on the list.

Compact, rich in history and famous for its Flamenco, tapas bars and orange trees, Seville is a superb short city break destination. Visit at Easter to see it at its busiest, but for a more relaxing/quieter break autumn is a great choice.

Visit the city’s Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see Christopher Columbus’ tomb, or stay in the city’s old town to explore the cobbled streets of the Santa Cruz quarter and the breathtaking Alcazar palace - a must visit for any Game of Thrones fan, who will remember this for scenes in season five of the hit TV series.

October skiing holidays

Hintertux, Austria

Our final destination welcomes the upcoming ski season, which is officially due to start in mid-November.

Hintertux, Austria is open all year round and dubbed the most reliable ski resort in the Alps (there’s always snow). This is a good place to visit in October which will enable you to dust off the cobwebs in preparation for the start of the peak season. The extent of terrain is very different to resorts such as Val d'Isère or Ischgl, however this resort still has enough variety to challenge the most enthusiastic skier.

Travelling in autumn/winter

If you can squeeze in a break this side of Christmas, don’t forget to arrange your travel insurance.

If you have your skiing trip booked we can cover winter sports travel insurance which will ensure your flights, accommodation and equipment are all covered, as well as providing cover for medical expenses should the unfortunate happen.

We have no upper age limit on our single trip insurance policies and we cover 98% of medical conditions; annual policies are also available for travellers up to the age of 75.

Call our UK call centre (free) on 0800 294 2969 to discuss your requirements with one of our customer service team, we can recommend the correct policy to suit your needs.

Alternatively you can get a quote online and we are available online via web chat for any questions.

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Enjoy your next trip.