Holiday & Travel

Imagine all the things you love most about autumn - is it the bright foliage or apple picking? Perhaps it's going to your favorite fall festival or exploring a new hiking trail. Each fall, Maine's forests turn into a brilliant quilt of crimson, gold and orange, and the pine trees' green provides a lovely balance of cool color. This is the backdrop for some of the best things about Maine.

Set on a pristine beach close to the quiet fishing village of Kamala guests staying at Paresa Resort Phuket can experience the chic simplicity of this contemporary new beach lounge enjoying a choice of butler served light beach snacks, exotic cocktails and an international menu of old world wines, set off by a backdrop of soothing soul music. Paresa Resort Phuket is a luxurious, boutique 'hideaway' resort surrounded by lush tropical virgin forest.

Surrounded by dramatic natural terrain and scenery and bustling with vineyards, world class restaurants, rich Cape heritage, architecture, art and plenty of family-friendly activities; Stellenbosch, South Africa's second oldest town, truly is a destination for all seasons and ages. Located only 30 minutes inland from the Cape's best beaches, a mere 40km from Cape Town International Airport and 50km from Cape Town, Stellenbosch is the perfect hub from where to explore the city, coastal regions and the rest of the Cape Winelands.

From scuba diving off the coast of Castries to enjoying a relaxing spa treatment overlooking the Pitons, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board invites travelers to discover the island’s mix of adventure and relaxation.  This November, hotels and resorts offer value-added packages and discounted rates of up to 55 percent off standard prices in celebration of Adventure & Wellness Month.

Regional tourism development agency, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and regional hospitality agency, the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) today signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) to join other regional agencies and institutions representing climate sensitive sectors as joint Tourism Partners on the Consortium of Regional Sectoral Early Warning Information Systems Across Climate Timescales (EWISACTs) Coordination Partners currently being spearheaded by the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH).

Hands up how many people have been to Adelboden? If it is bragging rights you're after from a holiday, then Adelboden should be on your “to go” list. This pretty as a picture hidden gem, tucked away at the end of a valley in the Bernese Oberland, but less than an hour's drive from the capital of Berne, is one of Europe's best-kept secrets. And while summer may be over, there's still plenty to do in Adelboden through Autumn.

Borana, at the forefront of the modern conservation movement in Kenya, offers a number of ways for guests to encounter Kenya's wildlife and wilderness from traditional 4x4 safaris and horse-back and mountain bike riding, to joining specific conservation activities aimed to give a behind-the-scenes experience and in-depth understanding of modern day conservation and the ongoing battle to protect endangered species such as the black rhino. This extra element adds a new dimension to a safari holiday and adds immeasurably to the overall experience.

Forty days before Easter, there is an explosion of colour, dance, music and parties in Rio de Janeiro. Renowned the world over, Rio Carnival is a five-day extravaganza which epitomises Brazil's vibrant, fun-loving culture and makes for a truly unforgettable experience. The main event sees 12 samba schools parade through the Sambodromo in dazzling outfits alongside lavishly decorated floats in a bid to be crowned champions of Carnival.

Autumn is the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, as the English poet John Keats reminds us. And what could be nicer than a long walk around the grounds of an elegant stately home, followed by afternoon tea in front of a roaring fire or dinner in a unique award-winning setting? Set in 20 acres of gardens, Francis Place's bird's-eye view of Middlethorpe shows Thomas Barlow's garden shortly after he had completed work on the house.

For the next three weeks, Frankfurt Airport will once again be partying with gusto. Hearty food, traditional beer tent music, and appropriate shopping specials are all being provided in the style of Oktoberfest, the world’s most famous beer festival and funfair, in the transit zones in Pier Z and on the non-Schengen level of Terminal 2.

Holland is quickly becoming one of the most popular European holiday destinations. Close to home and easy to get to by either plane or ferry, holiday specialist Eurocamp, has noticed higher demand for its Dutch resorts this year. Stay at one of Eurocamp's three parcs in Holland and explore what the region has to offer. Known for its flat landscape of canals, windmills and cycling routes, Holland is filled with beauty alongside art, culture, shops and architecture – there is something for everyone.

Baan Paa Talee is a superb nine-bedroom luxury villa designed by Paris-based architects Arte Charpentier. The exquisite oceanfront property is overlooking the Andaman Sea on the picturesque Cape Amarin estate, just a short 15-minute drive from the beaches of Kamala and Patong on Phuket's scenic west coast. The main villa comprises seven ocean-view bedrooms, arranged in flexible configurations to suit families, couples and independent groups.

Celebrate the festive season in style and luxury with a cosy Christmas and sparkling Hogmanay on The Isle of Eriska, a private island off the west coast of Scotland. Eriska has five days of Christmas festivities planned from 23rd to 27th December and six days of New Year celebrations from 29th December to 3rd January 2017.

Scrunching leaves, vibrant views and the red-tinted, orange and golden hues of autumn make for some breath-taking places to visit on the nation's beautiful waterways. Travelling by boat or on foot you can double your enjoyment by watching the watery reflections of trees as you follow the waterway to appreciate their seasonal splendour. The Canal & River Trust has handpicked eight sites that provide great places to visit and experience the vibrant colours that are nature's way of preparing for winter.

Stretching over six time zones, Canada features luxury offerings, spectacular wilderness, abundant wildlife, cosmopolitan cities and diverse cultures – plenty for Prince William and his family to explore. Landing in Victoria on the 24th of September, the royals will visit Vancouver, the Yukon and the archipelago of Haida Gwaii. Here Cox & Kings suggests itineraries from their new 2017 Canada brochure – all luxurious offerings fit for a royal visit.