If there’s one kind of autumn getaway that really appeals, it’s one centred around wine: its wineries, landscapes and culture. With so many routes and designations to choose from, we’ve put together a selection to help you find the one that catches your eye. It’s a personal list, with a little creative licence here and there. And yes, you’ll notice a few omissions, but you may also discover some unexpected suggestions. But isn’t travel a way of leaving the familiar behind and daring to explore new horizons? Cheers!

This Galician route, stretching between southern Lugo and northern Ourense, is all about heroic viticulture: intrepid vines clinging to steep terraces along sheer-sided canyons, defying vertigo and withstanding the wind. Some grow almost down to the water’s edge along the Miño, the Sil and the other rivers that cross the region. By now, it’s clear that the scenery will take your breath away. But you’ll also be surprised by its rich heritage of monasteries and churches, dotted here and there among the forests, and you can tuck into Galician cuisine in its villages.

To learn about the wines, we recommend turning to the experts. Wineries such as Regina Viarum and Abadía da Cova know their stuff, and will introduce you to their wines through tastings and other experiences. When it’s time to put your feet up and recharge, EsteOeste by Sercotel, in Lugo, will be waiting for you.

Its reputation precedes it: just say the name and you’ll picture seas of vineyards stretching into the distance. There’s nature aplenty, with mountains such as the Sierra de la Demanda and the Sierra de Toloño rising on the horizon, as well as charming little villages and towns where the wineries are clustered in their own districts. Haro, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Ezcaray, San Millán de la Cogolla… Some of the country’s most celebrated wines come from these places, from their large, centuries-old wineries as well as from smaller producers.

Head to Logroño and make it your base. The Sercotel Portales, Sercotel Calle Mayor, Sercotel Logroño Suites and Sercotel Murrieta hotels will make your stay easy. Less than an hour’s drive from the city, you’ll find wineries such as Muga and Ramón Bilbao in Haro; Vivanco in Briones; and Carlos Moro in San Vicente de la Sonsierra.

Perhaps the least familiar route in this selection, but no less interesting for it. The Ronda and Málaga Wine Route could be described as a delightful mix of Protected Designations of Origin (Málaga, Sierras de Málaga and Pasas de Málaga), producing a variety of wines, with sweet wines taking centre stage. The wines here also have a long history, dating back to Roman times. The landscapes bask in the Mediterranean sun for much of the year, making them perfect for enjoying the outdoors; the cultural and architectural heritage is unforgettable; and the wineries work their magic. You’ll find proof in names such as Bodegas Cezar, Cuesta de la Viña, Doña Felisa and La Melonera.

We could go on about everything the route has to offer, but you’ll probably enjoy discovering it for yourself through the many wine tastings, samplings and walks among the vineyards on offer. And when you need a rest, Sercotel Tribuna Málaga and Sercotel Rosaleda Málaga will be waiting for you in the city.