Top 5 places for autumn sunshine

You might have come to associate a British autumn with poor weather, but September, October and November don't need to be associated with rain showers and piles of wet leaves in your garden – there are many destinations abroad you can visit to enjoy the sun! Autumn is a beautiful time of the year filled with colour, so spending it outside of the UK is a great way to make the most of the seasonal change it brings. The following are five of the best places to visit when this season comes around:

1. Greece

Greece and its neighbouring islands have long been popular with tourists because of their beaches, beautiful scenery and great weather all year round. For example, if you head over to the famous island of Santorini during September, you will be greeted with an average temperature of 23-26 degrees Celsius. But if you don't fancy climbing the 500+ Karavolades stairs to the top of the island, visit Athens instead. The capital of the country, it consists of plenty more flatter areas of ground and is equally as hot, so it's perfect for sunbathing on the Legrena, Shinias or Varkiza beaches, all located in a short walk or drive from your hotel.

The country also offers cultural treasures to discover. Ancient ruins such as the Acropolis tower over the landscape, and a wide range of museums and archaeological sites are always open to welcome guests. It's easy to see why so many people choose to visit Greece during autumn.

2. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a tropical destination that offers warmth all year round, but the best time to go is between December and March when temperatures and humidity levels are low. Despite this, visiting during autumn is still a great idea if it's sunshine you are looking for, as temperatures can remain at 30 degrees Celsius throughout these months.

If you love animals, Costa Rica is the perfect destination for your holiday as it's home to over 500,000 species, many of which are rare or endangered. Go searching for the resplendent quetzal or the black-mandibled toucan to spruce up your birdwatching abilities, or look up in the trees to see if you can spot one of the renowned slow-moving sloths, who are located across the entire country.

To observe a species closer to familiarity, head over to Territorio de Zaguates in Heredia to see an amazing farm full of stray dogs.

3. California

California is another location that we couldn't leave off the list. With plenty of activities and places to ramble to during quieter stays, you can trust the temperature to remain in the high 20 degrees Celsius range during your visit to this bustling state in the autumnal months.

This part of America is rich in culture, so you will never be short of locations to visit. Winchester Mystery House is a Gothic historical mansion in San Jose which has been featured in several novels and films, notably a psychological horror called The Haunting of Winchester House due to the myths surrounding the residence. If you feel unprepared for a possible supernatural encounter, the house is located close to San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Park where you can take a pleasant stroll through the flawlessly maintained gardens.

4. Provence

South-eastern France offers a 500-year-old historical region bordered by the Mediterranean sea, which you can trust will remain in the low 20s during your autumnal stay.

The cuisine here is unique and utilises all of the traditional flavours of home-grown produce from the beautiful communes. Try some of the exclusive calissons available throughout the region, or make your own ratatouille, brandade de morue or daube with some freshly bought ingredients from the Saint-Antonin-Nobel-Val market.

The area is renowned for its production of rose wine. With a short trip to Chateau de Berne in Lorgues, you can see one of the beautiful vineyards for yourself.

5. Spain

As a more common European holiday destination, Spain's southern coast provides plenty of great weather throughout the seasons, with an average of 320 days of sunshine per year in Malaga alone. If you are interested in checking out this Mediterranean country, then autumn is the perfect time to do so as temperatures remain warm during these months. With a total of 8,124 municipalities in the entire country, each with a different set of activities to offer, you will be spoiled for choice with where to stay.

On your trip, remember to stop by Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, and catch a glimpse of Casa Batllo, one of its most famous tourist attractions. Built by Antoni Gaudi, the strange structure of the building is considered to be one of his greatest works. For something a bit less flamboyant, you can visit the Barcelona Cathedral instead, whose complex stonework exterior will amaze anyone with a keen interest in the gothic period.

Whilst there are plenty of other locations with sunny autumnal climates, we think these are the perfect places to get started. With this list of available options, we doubt that you will ever have an autumn holiday devoid of warm weather again. So, if you are looking to get away in the sunshine this autumn, visit our website at Total Travel Protection to get a quote for your travel insurance, tailored specifically to your medical needs, all for a fair and reasonable price – with us, you can go abroad knowing you will be safe and looked after well under any weather circumstance!