The best autumn getaways in the world – with the UK taking the top spot

THESE images show the world's most incredible autumn getaways, including city escapes to Barcelona, the coastline of the Balearic Islands and the colourful Devon countryside.

From cosy autumnal settings to perfect places to catch the winter sun, the pictures capture the very best places to visit post-summer.

It comes after research of 2,000 holidaymakers found 68 per cent have either booked, or are considering a getaway in September, October or November.

The main reasons for this include being able to enjoy the summertime at home, autumnal breaks being quieter, cheaper deals and wanting to have something to look forward to after a summer in the UK. 

It also emerged the most desired locations for an autumn break include Cornwall, Devon and Cumbria within the UK, and Florida, Rome and New York, further afield.

The Scottish Highlands and North Yorkshire also featured in the top 10, thanks to the cosy autumnal walks.

They were followed by the Balearic Islands for those who want to make the most of the last of the summer sun and Paris, for more of a romantic getaway.

Other top UK searches for half term 2022 also include Cumbria, Norfolk, Dorset and Pembrokeshire.

The survey was commissioned by family holiday rentals firm Vrbo, whose search data also found Cornwall, Devon, North Yorkshire and the Balearic Islands are some of the most searched destinations for half-term holidays.

Karen Mullins, from the brand, said: “Autumn is a great time to go on holiday as you miss the summer rush and travel is cheaper.

“Our search data has found an uptick of people wanting sunny foreign holidays after the weather has turned in the UK.

“Perhaps it’s because last year travel restrictions made it hard to holiday abroad, people now want to make up for lost time.

“We are seeing more of a balance between domestic and international destinations, as searches for classic great British holiday destinations remain strong and we can see an increase of interest on foreign trips, compared to last year.”

The survey went on to find the perfect length of an autumn break is five days, and holidaymakers will cram the same number of activities into their time away.

Spending time with loved ones, enjoying the last of the sun and escaping from bad weather are the top things those polled would do on an autumn break.

Relaxing on the beach, enjoying local food and going on autumnal walks and hikes also appeared on the list.

And while accommodation is the biggest consideration for booking a holiday, it was closely followed by the weather and the cost.

Nice views, a well-connected area and a swimming pool are also among the top things holidaymakers look for in an autumn getaway.

The research also found 18 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, would love a European city trip to soak up the culture.

While 45 per cent would stay in the UK, 23 per cent would opt for the countryside and 21 per cent would head to the seaside.

Furthermore, in today’s cost of living crisis, 37 per cent are now booking a staycation instead of travelling abroad.