‘A haven of soft light, warm sunshine and sandy beaches’: readers’ favourite autumn escapes

In search of autumn festivals, good food and islands where it still feels like summer? We asked you to recommend your best off-season breaks • Tell us about a spooky spot in the UK – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher Last October, while I was cycling around south-west France, near the Spanish border, a tip from a local waiter led me to Collioure , near Perpignan.

The town was like a Mediterranean dream, where the summer crowds had faded, leaving behind a peaceful, artistic haven of soft light, warm sunshine, cobbled streets, sandy beaches – and the Pyrenees as a backdrop.

In the early evening, the still balmy autumn air was perfect for wandering through the quiet, pastel-coloured alleyways of the Le Mouré district to enjoy €5 off-season happy hour wine with fish tapas.

I had planned to stay a weekend but ended up staying a week, seduced by Collioure’s perfect autumn cocktail of chilled Catalan culture and sunkissed seaside sensuality.

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