Sometimes, quite often in fact, you suddenly feel the need to get away. You know what we mean: you’ve felt that urge telling you, “this weekend, it’s time to switch off and do something different”. So that, when the feeling strikes, all you have to do is pack your bag and head off, we’ve put together a guide featuring the perfect autumn destinations and activities to make the most of your break, along with a selection of Sercotel hotels.

Lugo in autumn is one big celebration. Literally, as the city hosts the San Froilán festivities. Taking place from 4 to 12 October, the celebrations fill the city’s streets with brass bands and traditional giant-headed figures. Recognised as a Festival of National Tourist Interest, you’ll love experiencing ‘O Domingo das Mozas’, a celebration of folklore and traditional dress; enjoying the concerts; and soaking up the lively atmosphere in the streets of Lugo. And if you feel like visiting Lugo but can’t fit it into your diary in October, remember that autumn lasts a while, so there’s still time to explore the woodlands of Los Ancares. We don’t know which plan you’ll choose, but what we do know is that you’ll find the rest you deserve at EsteOeste by Sercotel.

Autumn is an incredibly busy time at the wineries. They know all about that in Ribera del Duero, particularly at historic wineries such as Protos. Any time is a good time to visit and sample its wines, but there’s something special about the grape harvest season and everything that comes with it. You’ll find the winery in Peñafiel, at the foot of the castle perched high on a hill. From there, you can admire the architectural brilliance of the building—a modern reinterpretation of traditional wineries—before heading inside to discover all the work behind the wine you’re about to taste. Afterwards, you’ll be just around a 50-minute drive from your home in Valladolid: Sercotel Valladolid.

Girona becomes particularly cultural in autumn, and it doesn’t matter when you decide to take your spontaneous break, as the Temporada Alta festival runs throughout these months. So yes, there’s a good chance your visit will coincide with one of its music, dance, theatre or film performances. However, if you travel during the final days of October, you can also experience the famous Castanyada and buy freshly roasted chestnuts from street stalls. The main celebration takes place on the evening of 31 October, coinciding with the Fires de Sant Narcís, the city’s main festival. With so much to do, simply getting a good night’s sleep won’t be enough. You’ll need to sleep exceptionally well. And if you’d like to round off your getaway with a trip to Figueres, that’s exactly what you’ll find at Sercotel President, where Dalí’s genius can be felt throughout the hotel.

What we love about Ciudad Real in autumn is its proximity to Cabañeros National Park. Just over an hour’s drive separates your hotel, Sercotel Guadiana, from this natural area known as the Spanish Serengeti. It’s always worth visiting, but even more so at this time of year. Between mid-September and late October, the deer are usually in rut and their bellowing reaches its peak: the males compete with thunderous roars to show the females which of them is the strongest. After this experience, you can recharge your batteries with some seasonal cuisine from Castilla-La Mancha. Autumn is the perfect time to try dishes such as migas or gachas.

This is the perfect destination for anyone seeking a cinematic adventure. So much so that you’ll end up visiting a desert. The Tabernas Desert, around a 30-minute drive from Almería, has served as the setting for numerous Westerns and hosts the Almería Western Film Festival from 8 to 12 October. It’s a celebration of the genre and great fun for everyone. If you’ve ever dreamt of dressing up as a cowboy, this is your chance: during the festival, Tabernas is transformed by a lively Western atmosphere. And if exploring a desert is what really appeals to you, autumn is an excellent time to do it, when the sun is a little less intense than in summer. If you need any advice, just ask us: the reception team at Sercotel Avenida Almería will be happy to tell you about the routes you can follow.