“Whether you’re in search of adventure, breathtaking architecture, or simply some poolside R&R, Rosalyn Wikeley has the autumn hotspots guaranteed to give you the vitamin D hit you’ve been craving”

As the weather turns in Northern Europe, with rain moving in (did it ever really move out this summer?) and the mercury starting to drop, many of us are feeling a little deprived after a not-quite summer. Of sunshine, of warmth, of lounging by a pool and of sipping something cool, of shady lunches and long, sun-drenched evenings.

But all is not lost. Whilst the UK and the rest of Northern Europe may be gearing up for autumn, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean is approaching its balmy prime, as the scorching summer sun softens and the masses head home.

“Autumn has long been holiday season for the savvy traveller, when the swarms have scuttled back to their office chairs and families are summoned home for term time” writes luxury travel, fashion and features journalist Rosalyn in the Evening Standard round-up.

“Europe remains (smugly) balmy and restaurants clang and tinkle on without the bunfight for a table and the summer circus” she goes on. “Those looking for short haul foodie-themed breaks are in their element with harvest season pulling in a rich array of land and sea bounty.”

Rosalyn’s collection of ten short haul destinations perfect for some autumn sunshine includes our very own cortijo of Kukutana, bordering the national park of Doñana and just an hour from one of Europe’s most alluring cities, Seville.

Offering personalised luxury in an authentic Andalusian farmstead, Kukutana is the perfect spot to explore the region’s countryside and coastline, and sample its culinary offerings and traditional way of life.

“Spill into the Andalusian countryside to the remote and ravishingly rustic finca, Kukutana, on the fringes of the wildlife-brimming Doñana National Park, for epic rides followed by Spanish glasses of red”, she writes.

From Kukutana, guests can enjoy a host of excursions, including expeditions in to Doñana by horseback, horse and carriage and 4×4. The park was once a hunting ground for royalty; now, the royal palaces in the park offer the perfect backdrop for picnics fit for a king.

Horse riding is at the heart of Andalusian culture, and our team of Anglo-Arab horses, along with horse-drawn carriages, offer the perfect way to explore the park and surrounding countryside.

The towering pine trees and sandy trails offer endless routes to riders, walkers and cyclists alike, whilst its dunes, marshes and coastline attract huge numbers of birdlife and other animals; Doñana is Europe’s largest nature reserve, and home to the longest stretch of virgin beach on the continent.

From Kukutana, guests can visit various neighbouring towns, including Sanlucar de Barremeda, home to Andalusia’s famous manzanilla sherry and the launchpad for several conquistador voyages to the New World, and El Rocio, the unique, white-washed town that hosts one of Spain’s largest annual pilgrimages.

We also offer day trips to Seville itself, capital of Andalusia and one of Europe’s primary culinary destinations.

“Head to Seville at this time of year for its arresting mix of Moorish and Catholic architecture. It’s home to the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, the Archivo de la Indias and the Alcazar palace, with its elaborate gardens comprising a UNESCO World Heritage Site” writes Rosalyn.

So if you are looking for some autumn sun, look no further. Get in touch with one of the team and we’d be happy to arrange your personalised trip to this sunny corner of authentic Andalusia.