Fancy a touch of late sun without the long flight? NICOLA ISEARD explores some popular destinations

ISTANBUL, Turkey
How long? Three hours, 30 minutes.

Why go now? It's your last chance to experience the 2010 European Capital of Culture at its most vibrant with events taking place until the end of the year (istanbul2010.org).

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Highlights include the Golden Routes World Music Festival (November 26 - December 17) which promotes "Turkey's cultural richness" through concerts, exhibitions and film, and Contemporary Istanbul (November 25-28), the most extensive modern and contemporary art event in Turkey.

Istanbul is at its most beautiful now with the steamy weather of summer giving way to crisp blue skies.

Plus, you'll have Sultanahmet (Old Istanbul), with its splendid 6th-century Hagia Sophia, 17th-century Blue Mosque and 15th-century Topkapi Palace, often packed in summer, all to yourself.

Stay: Hotel Ibrahim Pasha (dialling from the UK: 0090 212 518 0394/ ibrahimpasha.com) in Sultanahmet has 24 beautiful bedrooms and a roof terrace with views of the Blue Mosque.

Doubles from £87 per night (two sharing), B&B.

Get there: easyJet (0905 821 0905/ easyjet.com) offers return flights from Gatwick and Luton from £70.

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DUBROVNIK, Croatia
How long? Two hours, 40 minutes.
Why go now? Autumn brings out the best of Dubrovnik. The city takes on a laid-back atmosphere without the hubbub of tourist crowds, the weather is less humid and accommodation and ferry prices drop considerably.

Take the 50-minute ferry, from £4 return per foot passenger, to the tiny, car-free island of Lopud (dialling from the UK: 00385 2049 2313/ avansa-travel.com) with its stunning white-sand beach, Sunj, one of the best in Croatia.

Alternatively, while away days exploring Dubrovnik's old town, filled with boutiques, jewellers and artisan shops. Amble along the 82ft-high city walls that have protected Dubrovnik for centuries and visit the Rector's Palace, formerly the residence of the Dubrovnik Republic's Rector, now home to the city museum.

Stay: The Amoret Apartments (2032 4005/dubrovnik-amoret.com) in the old town has 11 elegant apartments (sleeping two to three) housed in three former palaces. From £61 per night (two sharing), self-catering.

Get there: British Airways (0844 493 0787/ba.com) offers return flights from Gatwick from £115.

MARRAKECH, Morocco
How long? Three hours, 45 minutes.

Why go now? Still sunny but not scorching, autumn is the ideal time to visit Marrakech. The souks are quieter this time of year, perfect for relaxed Christmas shopping (you have more bartering power in low season too), yet the singers, sorcerers and snake charmers in Djemaa el Fna square are still in full swing.

Jardin Majorelle (from UK: 00212 524 313 047/jardinmajorelle.com), a botanical garden once owned by the late designer Yves Saint Laurent, is running a special exhibition from November 27 to March 18, 2011.

A selection of the couturier's clothing, including his first safari jacket from 1968, will be on display alongside vintage photographs and original sketches. Admission £2.30pp.

Stay: Riad El Fenn (524 441 210/ riadelfenn.com) located in the heart of the medina has 12 elegant suites and bedrooms, a swimming pool, cinema, spa and impressive art collection. Three nights from £270pp (two sharing), B&B, including return transfers to the Yves Saint Laurent exhibition and airport transfers.

Get there: Ryanair (0871 246 0000/ ryanair.com) offers return flights from UK airports from £30.

ATHENS, Greece
How long? Three hours, 40 minutes.
Why go now? Nothing beats Athens in the autumn. The scorching heat of summer gives way to balmy sunshine, and the madding crowds of August are long gone.

You can visit the Acropolis with its magnificent 2,500-year-old marble temples and stroll the cobbled streets of Plaka with their bustling flea market and souvenir shops, both still open, free of the tourist hordes.

Visit between now and December 19 and you can catch the Athens Photo Festival (hcp.gr) which transforms the city into a network of photography-related activities, events and exhibitions promoting new talent.

Stay: O&B in Psiri (0208 144 4526/ oandbhotel.com) is an intimate hotel near the Acropolis. It has 22 chic rooms and a top-notch restaurant.
Doubles from £131 per night (two sharing), B&B.

Get there: easyJet (as before) offers return flights from Gatwick and Manchester from £66.

VALLETTA, Malta
How long? Three hours, 10 minutes.
Why go now? Malta's southerly position means it enjoys a long, warm autumn with temperatures reaching the low 20s. While the August crowds have long since departed, Valletta is still buzzing, bars and restaurants are still open and offering great prices.

Don't miss the Traditional Food & Festa Fair on November 13 at St Helen's, Birkirkara, one of the island's best-preserved village squares, where you have the opportunity to cook traditional Maltese recipes alongside the country's best chefs.

You can also learn about historic folk games at the Festival of Maltese Games on November 14 in Birgu (visitmalta.com/events).

Stay: Maison La Vallette (dialling from the UK: 00356 7948 8047/ maisonlavallette.com) is a gorgeous apartment for two in the old town, filled with Maltese-style baroque furniture. From £72 per night, self-catering.

Get there: Thomson Airways (0871 231 4787/thomson.co.uk/flights offers return flights from Gatwick or Manchester from £89.