Travelling between seasons is now more popular than ever, as people try to beat blistering heat and dodge peak summer crowds.
This sweet spot is otherwise known as shoulder season, the time between a region’s most popular months and offseason.
Travel agencies and booking sites are reporting increased demand for Spain, Italy, Portugal and France in September and October, as holidaymakers search for pleasant temperatures and better value.
Much has been written about the best European cities to visit in autumn, but what of the islands?
We’ve picked out the best places to visit for ‘second summer’ sunshine, and one where you’ll likely see rain — but the craic makes up for it.
Crete
One of the brightest stars of Greece’s 6,000 or so islands, Crete is famous for its dazzling water and exceptionally beautiful beaches. Elafonissi Beach was recently named the best in Europe.
But there’s more to this Aegean jewel than sun beds and sand.
Greece’s largest island, Crete has miles of excellent hiking trails and incredible food, to say nothing of its top-class vineyards, ancient monasteries and charming stone towns.
The best time to discover it is shoulder season, when the temperature is balmy but not overbearing, and most of the visitors have emptied out.
Not to be missed are Preveli Monastery (for dizzyingly beautiful views), Toplou Monastery (for Cretan wine tasting) and the epic Samaria Gorge (for a trek you won’t forget).
Crete is also refreshingly affordable, quite a bit easier on the bank balance than other islands in Greece.
In late September, direct flights from London can be as little as £75 return.
Pantelleria
Closer to Tunisia than mainland Italy, this Sicilian island is like a painting: brooding black cliffs, turquoise bays and emerald coves.
It is best seen in early autumn, when the heat has mellowed, the beach-going crowds have mostly departed and the harvest is in full swing.
Homer once described Pantelleria as the ‘navel of the Mediterranean’, and its geography certainly makes it a special place.
It has some of the most spectacular sunsets in Europe (a vast red sphere set against a wash of indigo, violet, yellow, and pastel blue), and on a clear day you can see North African on the horizon.
Shoulder season is a great time to taste the island’s acclaimed wine at Donnafugata, unwind in the natural springs at Gadir and take a speedboat to explore the nooks and crannies that line the craggy coast.
The Aran Islands
Lashed by the Atlantic on Ireland’s wild western coast, the Aran Islands are not for sunseekers during shoulder season, or indeed at any time of year.
But nobody goes for the weather.
This rugged cluster of three small islands – Inis Mór (the largest), Inis Oírr (the smallest) and Inis Meáin (the quietest) is home to around 1,200 people, who speak both Irish and English as their main language.
The islands are known for a serene and spiritual atmosphere, limestone landscape surrounded by miles of stone walls, blue flag beaches, dramatic cliffs and a mosaic mix of pre-Christian monastic sites.
Surf, stroll or cycle by day, then spend the evening in a traditional Irish pub. Someone is guaranteed to bring out the fiddle or whistle.
The easiest way to get there is by ferry from Galway City, or from Doolin Harbour in Clare.
Time your trip for late October and stay to celebrate Samhain, the ancient Celtic harvest festival where modern Halloween comes from.
Return to the mainland for Púca Festival, which brings this heritage to life with music, myth and fire shows as only the Irish can.
Lefkada
Nicknamed the ‘Greek Caribbean’ for its iridescent ocean and bombshell beaches, Lefkada is one of the brightest stars of the Ionian.
The island is home to some of Greece’s most breathtaking beaches (Porto Katsiki and Milos regularly rank in Lonely Planet’s top 10), yet it remains relatively under the radar for British tourists.
World-class beaches such as Kathisma and Egremini are virtually empty during the shoulder seasons, but the water is still plenty warm for swimming and the hillside tavernas are still open for business.
Giant plates of saganaki (fried cheese with honey), calamari, mussels and grilled octopus with glasses of chilled red wine cost as little as €16 a head.
Lefkada is the only Greek island you can reach by car. Flanked by olive trees and willowy cypresses, a half-hour drive takes you off the mainland via a causeway from Preveza airport, which is served daily by budget airlines including Ryanair and easyJet from April to October.
During the winter months, the easiest route is to fly to Athens, then take a €40 bus to the island which takes between four and five hours.
Madeira
With majestic mountains, forest trails, and dazzling natural pools, Madeira is rightly described as the Hawaii of Europe.
And autumn is arguably the best time to see it.
The weather is pleasant, with temperatures rarely veering outside 20°C and 24°C. The ocean remains swimmable, and the lush landscape shifts into a rich burst of colour.
Local delicacies such as custard apples, passionfruit and chestnuts are in season, and the crowds that come for summer have mostly disappeared.
By October, direct return flights from London with easyJet are just £124.
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