Summer: a fickle thing if ever there was one. Just when you've got used to the idea of it – with its long sunny days followed by even longer hot summer nights – it goes and ends, to be replaced with the long, grey veil of winter instead.
But it's not all doom and gloom. Even in Europe, there are still a few corners where you can enjoy the last vestiges of warm weather. And there could be few better places from which to do so, than with a stay at one of this pick of the best holiday homes in Europe for autumn sun…
Lilac Windmill Villa; Santorini, Greece
There's no questioning the unique beauty of Santorini: it is, at any time of the year, truly stunning. But it's in the European autumn that it's arguably at its very best – when the majority of the tourist hordes have gone home and the searing summer heat drops to a more bearable level. A few miles outside the village of Oia, Lilac Windmill Villa has got to be one of the most interesting holiday homes in Europe. And while the traditional windmill setting is unusual, the chic feel of the place mixed with the jaw-dropping views are typically – indeed unmistakeably – Santorini.
Bebbux Farmhouse; Munxar, Malta/Gozo
Like the Greek Islands, Malta (which is on roughly the same latitude as the Moroccan city of Tangiers), is like a shining beacon of warmth and light as the rest of Europe slips into the chill of winter. And although it's not on the coast, Bebbux Farmhouse could hardly be better suited to a relaxing autumn getaway. A 300-year-old traditional farmhouse, Bebbux has bags of character and one of the best appointed pool areas on the island – boasting stunning views across the surrounding valleys.
Lava Villa; Fuerteventura, the Canary Islands
Ok, so these last two picks aren't strictly holiday homes in 'Europe'. But they're really just a hop, skip and a jump from the continent, and the autumn temperatures are, it hardly needs to be said, that much better. Dramatically situated on the island of Fuerteventura, Lava Villa was built using traditional techniques; from the outside rustic in style, it presents a simple but enticing proposition of plenty of R&R bathed in some lovely autumn sunshine. To cap it all off, it's even eco-friendly – with much of its power being provided by sustainable sources.
Dar Qarwi; Essaouira, Morocco
Morocco is really only across the pond that is the Mediterranean. And holiday homes in Morocco provide unbeatable access to the year-round sunshine that the country specialises in. Two and a half hours from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech lies the beautiful (and beautifully chilled) town of Essaouira. Here, Dar Qarwi offers sun-soaked terraces in a traditional, atmospheric old riad within easy reach of the souks and the town's long beach.
Martin Wynn
