With the summer crowds leaving the Mediterranean behind, we reveal the delights that lie in wait for the autumn traveller at some of its best resorts

COSTA BRAVA
Extending from north-east of Barcelona all the way to the French border in the foothills of the Pyrenées, Spain's "rugged coast" has a charm and natural beauty entirely at odds with its status as the birthplace of the package holiday.

Ignore the more developed southern resorts of Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar in favour of the tranquil Baix Empordà region, whose serated, pine-clad coastline is dotted with secluded bays and whitewashed fishing villages.

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The second-homers from the Catalan capital depart at the end of August, taking the stifling heat with them.

Bask in the balmy autumnal temperatures while taking in attractions as varied as the former Roman settlement outside Empúries and the mind-warping Teatre-Museu Dalí at Figueres, birthplace of the Surrealist.

Hotel Sant Roc (dialling from UK: 00 34 972 614 250/www.santroc.com) is a homely, family-run hotel set on a headland with views over idyllic Calella de Palafrugell and its famous, fishing boat-festooned Port Bo strand.

Doubles from %112 per night (two sharing), B&B.

Ryanair (0871 246 0000/www.ryanair.com) offers return flights from Stansted to Girona from £116.

Spanish National Tourist Office: 020 7486 8077/www.spain.info/uk
DUNCAN CRAIG

AEOLIAN ISLANDS
A magical Mediterranean archipelago, all the more so for being largely ignored by the tourist hordes, particularly away from peak season.

This cluster of volcanic islands, less than a dozen miles off the coast of northern Sicily, has an otherworldly feel, with historic settlements, deserted black sand beaches, lunar-like landscapes and an abundance of myth and legend.

Lipari, the largest of the seven inhabited Aeolians, makes a good base but island-hopping is very much the order of the day, with regular ferry services plying the pristine waters.

Panarea, with its esteemed Hotel Raya, has a hush-hush celebrity following, while a dusk hike up the active Stromboli volcano will see you rewarded with mesmerising sunset vistas and views into the magma-spitting crater. Unforgettable.

Aktea Resort (dialling from the UK: 0039 090 981 4234/www.hotelaktea.it) is a short walk from Lipari's centre with a lovely landscaped garden and beautiful sea views. Doubles from €200 per night (two sharing), half-board.

British Airways (0844 493 0787/www.ba.com) offers return flights to Catania, Sicily, from £97.

Italian State Tourist Board: 020 7408 1254/www.italiantouristboard.co.uk
DC

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CRETE
While Athens may have smouldered with recession-induced riots this year, the Greek islands have remained untouched, preferring to scorch in temperatures of up to 40C.

As things cool down, head to Crete, the largest island, where there are dozens of things to do. Hania and Aghios Nikolaos are delightful port towns with Venetian architecture and tortuous streets lined with cafés.

Archaeology buffs will love the Bronze Age Knossos Palace, said to be the heart of the Minoan civilisation, and ramblers will be challenged by the 10-mile Samariá Gorge (open until October 15). Rethymno on the north coast is a great base and home to one of the island's best hotels, the Creta Palace. Part of the luxury Grecotel chain, it has recently been refurbished in a sleek, modern style and those with little ones will adore the family bungalows that come with delightful bunkbeds and soft teddies.

Food at the hotel is sourced from its own Agreco organic farm a short drive away. Hotel guests can take daily tours and eat in its award-winning taverna.

Thomson (0871 230 2555/www.thomson.co.uk) offers seven nights at the Grecotel Creta Palace from £755pp (two sharing), half board. Price includes flights from Birmingham to Crete and transfers.

Greek National Tourism Organisation: 020 7495 9300/www.gnto.co.uk
JAMES ELLIS

MALLORCA
Just a two-hour flight from Britain, beautiful Mallorca offers a year-round retreat for the discerning traveller and autumn is a fabulous time to explore the island away from the beaches.

Bustling capital Palma is a sight-seeing haven with its Gothic cathedral, maze of streets and fine arts museum. After dark, it is transformed into a lively hotspot with many clubs and bars open until the early hours.

For a more tranquil setting, head for the picturesque fishing port of Sóller, which you can reach by vintage tram from Palma. Port de Sóller has some great beachfront restaurants and bars and quaint cobbled streets to explore with rows of white-washed houses with tiny front doors. Sóller town with its spectacular church Sant Bartomeu, is only a short drive or tram ride away. A great day can be had strolling around shops that lead off the main square.

Six miles up the coast, the village of Deià is also worth a look, even if just for its spectacular location in the middle of a valley of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. The surrounding countryside is ideal for hiking and cycling, and many places offer bicycle hire.
Monarch Holidays (0871 423 8642/ www.monarch.co.uk) offers seven nights at the Gran Hotel Sóller from £695pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from Gatwick.

Departs September 30.

Spanish National Tourist Office: 020 7486 8077/www.spain.info/uk
CHARLOTTE CIVIL

CYPRUS
Perennial favourite and constant hotspot with blue skies and warm welcomes, Cyprus has all the ingredients for a perfect off-season break.

Its rocky landscape evokes the feeling of being in a wilderness, yet there is something for everyone.

Explore the unspoilt Arkamas peninsula, which teems with wildlife, or be more sybaritic in the seafront bars and restaurants of Paphos or the shops of Limassol.

You can also follow in the footsteps of the Greek goddess of Love, Aphrodite, by visiting Aphrodite's Rock where, it is said, she rose from the waters. According to legend, if you swim around it naked, you will be fertile for life.

For sporty types, the Aphrodite Hills Resort on the south-west coast ticks all the boxes. An oasis in a dramatic terrain, it is just the place to hole up in, particularly if you're a golf fan. The challenging yet achingly scenic course plunges into ravines and wraps around the coast, possibly past your very room.

Mediterranean-style cream buildings with terracotta roofs are set among pretty grounds, many with private balconies and some with plunge pools. With the focus on sport, there's no better place to perfect your backhand than at the Tennis Academy and, if you really just want to be a "lounge lizard", there are plenty of sun loungers dotted around the "stacked" pools.

Your Golf Travel (0800 043 6644/www.yourgolftravel.com) offers four nights at Aphrodite Hills from £229pp (two sharing), half board. Price includes two free rounds of golf.

Return flights can be arranged from £115.

Cyprus Tourism Organisation: 020 7569 8800/www.visitcyprus.com