Scotland's hills and glens in full colour

Autumn in Scotland, half term in the sun and holidays for wine loversTake me there: Scottish autumn colourYou don't have to travel to New England for a spectacular show of autumn colours. The hills and glens of Perthshire turn golden in October. Prime spots are the Birks of Aberfeldy, immortalised by Robbie Burns; the Pass of Killiecrankie, with its dramatic river gorge, and the larch-covered hills around Dunkeld and Birnam. The Highland Perthshire Autumn Festival (pitlochryautumnfestival.co.uk) celebrates the season with fireworks, storytelling, safaris, folk music and a sound-and-light show (until 29 October; enchantedforest.org.uk). Stay at Craigmhor Lodge, a family-run guest house set in woodland near Pitlochry (craigmhorlodge.co.uk). Doubles from �85.Joanne's travel clinicOur summer in Devon was a washout. We want to take the kids (aged eight and 12) abroad for October half-term ? preferably somewhere a short flight away with guaranteed sunshine. Terri, SouthamptonJust a four-hour flight away and with October temperatures averaging 26C, the Canary Islands are hard to beat. In Tenerife you can rent one of five country houses set in sub-tropical gardens a short walk from the village of El Tanque Alto. Spain-holiday.com is offering a week's stay at Finca "El Lance" for �546 for a family of four, with flights from �351pp. Morocco offers an equally pleasing sunshine/flying time ratio. I-escape.com's Kids Collection of 700 family-friendly properties includes the Villas Fawakay (i-escape.com/villas- fawakay.php). Set in tranquil gardens 10km from the bustle of Marrakech, this complex of sandstone villas is perfect for kids, with its roaming peacocks and tortoises, swimming pool and ping-pong and tennis courts. Six nights in a two-bedroom villa costs from �1,980, from 23-29 October. Closer to home, the Algarve offers reliable sunshine and good value for money. The Martinhal Beach Resort (martinhal.com) has great facilities for active families.Three of the best vineyards where you can stayThe autumn wine harvest is now in full swing ? from Wales to Portugal. Here are three vineyards where you can enjoy an early tasting and then bed down for the night:1. Hotel Marques de Riscal, Rioja, Spain A twisting titanium roof and foie-gras custard on the menu. What's not to like? (00 34 945 180 880, hotel-marquesderiscal.com/en)2. Llanerch Vineyard, Vale of Glamorgan Boutique bedrooms and cookery classes in the Welsh answer to the Napa Valley. Sort of. (01443 222 716, llanerch-vineyard.co.uk)3. Romaneira, Douro Valley, Portugal With an infinity pool overlooking terraced vineyards, this place oozes sex appeal. (00 351 254 732 432, quintadaromaneira.pt)? If you have a travel dilemma, email Joanne O'Connor at magazine@observer.co.ukUnited KingdomFamily holidaysFood and drinkJoanne O'Connorguardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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