Lake Trasimeno, Umbria, Italy

Ridiculously picturesque, Lake Trasimeno - with its three islands - is even more beautiful in the autumn, when the thick woodland of oaks, chestnuts and other deciduous trees that run down to its shoreline glow flame-red and auburn. The mild autumn weather is ideal for walking; beneath the golden holm oaks and buttery-yellow poplars on Isola Maggiore, the largest island, or through the oak woods close to the picturesque village of Panicale. Autumn is also a time of foodie treasure hunts; for truffles, chestnuts and mushrooms.

A week in a self-catering apartment in Castel Rigone costs from £373pp, two sharing, including flights and car hire through Inntravel (01653 617949, www.inntravel.co.uk).

Transylvania, Romania

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The Carpathian mountains, which dominate Romania's mythical region, are carpeted in beech, oak, spruce and fir that melt into golds, russets and terracotta during autumn. Hikers are well catered for, with endless trails criss-crossing the slopes, and the bears, wolves and lynx that populate the forests make it a favourite destination for wildlife enthusiasts - there is an 80 per cent chance of seeing wild bears. The small towns - 13th-century Sighisoara and medieval Sibiu - are fascinating to explore, and even more attractive under a carpet of autumn leaves.

A four-night break at the Casa cu Cerb hotel in Sighisoara costs from £651pp, including, B&B, flights and transfers through Sunvil (020-8568 4499, www.sunvil.co.uk).

Lot Valley, France

Far less touristy than the neighbouring Dordogne, the Lot is even quieter in autumn, when the wooded hills glow in shades of saffron and claret, and the vineyards and fruit orchards become drifts of golden leaves. There is an excellent network of paths and tracks for cycling and riding, and picturebook towns such as Beauville, which has a stunning walking trail around the Lac du Gandaille and medieval Najac, are perfect for a long lazy lunch before a walk across the hills. The Aveyron gorges are wild and unspoilt, with eagles and kestrels wheeling through the sky and unbroken vistas of lush valleys and limestone plateaus.

A week in a beautifully converted windmill (property no 157/0), sleeping two, close to Agen, costs from £588 a week, excluding flights, with French Affair (020-7381 8519, www.frenchaffair.com).

Northumberland, England

The largest man-made lake and forest in Europe, Kielder Water is located in Northumberland and in the autumn months is at its most stunning, when clutches of aspen, ash and stately oak trees glow strawberry-blonde and auburn. The Campaign for Rural England has designated Kielder the country's most tranquil spot, and you can walk, cycle or ride beneath the trees, or simply take a flask of coffee and a picnic and sit back and wait for the rare red squirrels to appear. There are plenty of other spots in the county offering good colours: Holystone is an area of aged, broadleaved woodland that glows honey and russet, and the Cheviot Hills around Ingram are flecked with bright golden leaves.

The Pheasant Inn (01434 240382, www.thepheasantinn.com) near Kielder Water is a comfortable pub with rooms, an excellent restaurant and cosy traditional bar. B&B doubles from £85.

La Rioja, Spain

Autumn is the perfect time to visit a wine region: the harvest brings a real feeling of celebration to the air when set against a backdrop of vibrant autumn colours. Parque Natural de la Sierra de Cebollera has a wonderful natural forest of beech, birch and Pyrenean oak, and maple trees add flashes of scarlet and raspberry among the yellows. Wine country is up in the Obarenes mountains, where vineyards cover slopes that rise to 1,000m and the banks of the River Ebro seem aflame with the bright autumn leaves.

Headwater Holidays (01606 720199, www.headwater.com) has a four-night self-guided walking break in La Rioja, from £513pp, including half-board accommodation and walking notes.

High Tatras, Poland

The Tatras mountains form a geographical border between Slovakia and Poland, and are divided into four areas - east and west, low and high. The High Tatras offer breathtakingly dramatic landscapes, particularly when the forested slopes glow with flashes of auburn and the banks of the glacial lakes are fired up by oak and larch trees coloured honey and gold. The mountain resort town of Zakopane makes a great base, with plenty of hiking and riding trails of differing lengths and difficulty. Lush alpine meadows combine with soaring peaks, splashed with the saffron colours of swaths of birch trees.

Go Poland (0870 9917380, www.gopoland.co.uk) has a three-night break at Hotel Sabala in Zakopane from £249pp, B&B, including flights and transfers.

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