5 wonderful low-impact adventures in Europe this autumn

It’s that time of the year – when the leaves turn a rusty red, the days feel shorter and the blue sky disappears behind a blanket of grey clouds. While the change in seasons may mean we’re in for cooler weather – there's still plenty of time to enjoy a variety of travel adventures across Western Europe, with a sustainable twist. In fact, for those looking to cut down their flying and reduce their carbon footprint, there couldn’t be a better time to explore overland modes of transport. October and November is traditionally the season for discounted transport prices – with providers putting on sales and dropping prices as every opportunity. There’s never been a better time to embark on a low-impact adventure by train, car or boat.

Brittany Ferries routes to Santander in northern Spain put eager travellers right in the thick of Spain’s verdant northern region. Firstly, the 33-hour voyage allows for switching off and unwinding before reading your destination. Once there, it’s less than a two hour drive to reach the glorious Pico de Europa National Park, a region filled with towering peaks, endemic nature and stunning flora. Stretching across 20 kilometres, hiking trails wind through the 11 villages that dot the park, while more hardcore hikers can take on the more difficult routes that hug the sides of Pico’s rugged peaks. Look out for wildlife such as mountain goats, the rarely spotted chamois and, on occasion, brown bears as you go.

How to get there: Brittany Ferries travel between Portsmouth and Santander twice a week (return), with prices starting from £360 each way for two people in an ensuite cabin, travelling by car.

Read next: What a slow trip to Spain by ferry is really like

While Munich’s traditional Oktoberfest ceremony draws in tens of thousands of travellers from around the world, there are plenty of smaller, autumn festivals taking place across the country that escape the crowds. Frankfurt’s Bookfair 'Frankfurther Buchmesse' invites writers, publishers and book lovers to enjoy over 400,000 literature-related events. The fair welcomes accredited trade visitors during the week and opens up to everyone at weekends – with exhibitions, readings and even concerts scheduled. Other regional events include the Deutsches Weinlesefest, a wine harvesting festival in Neustadt an der Weinstraße, the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival and Berlin's Festival of Lights. The best part is that travel within the country is simple and affordable thanks to the monthly €49 Deutschland-Ticket or 'D-Ticket’, which can be purchased on Deutsche Bahn website and app. 

How to get there: The London to Brussels Eurostar services connect with the cross-country Thalys service which takes you to Hamburg via Köln. The entire journey takes 10.5 hours and requires two changes.

As the nights draw in, autumn is the time for planet and meteor-spotting in Wales. With over 2,000km2 of protected land, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park has been declared an International Dark Sky Reserve – meaning the chances of witnessing the colourful spectacle of the Milky Way are much higher here on a clear night. Time it well and you might even catch one of the largest meteor showers, Geminids, which takes place in November – where dust from comets and debris turns into stunning shooting stars. The 90 -minute drive to the Spaceguard Centre, a working observatory, in Knighton will teach you about the year-round space monitoring that takes place in the area.

How to get there: The closest train station, Hendre Isaf, can be reached from Llandudno Junction via Chester and Betws-y-Coed with Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales. The journey typically takes 10 hours from London with advanced rates starting from £37.50.

Read next: A guide to Britain's dark sky reserves

Not many people realise that there’s much more to Calais than ferry ports and wine warehouses. Nowadays, the region’s thriving traditional artisan scene is proving to be the biggest draw – encouraging visitors to spend time visiting the city. Until November, the Museum of Lace and Fashion is running an exhibition displaying the works of famous fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. The display, in coordination with the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Paris, features photos, videos and creative examples of how lace has been used throughout over generations here. You can even join separate lacemaking demonstrations to learn about a localised skill called ‘Dentelle de Calais-Caudry’, which shares the intricate craft that was practised here during the early 19^th Century.

How to get there: The speedy 35-minute Eurotunnel LeShuttle leaves from Folkestone and costs £90 per vehicle four a short stay (five days or under). DFDS’ Dover to Calais car ferry services starts from £68 one way for one car and four people.

Don’t forget, some of the best European adventures take place on our own doorstep – and the autumn means typically busy homegrown destinations, including Cornwall, suddenly become affordable (and not over-crowded). An October to November visit to the southwest corner of England brings much-appreciated tourism income to the region when visitor numbers are low – and while there might be a few more clouds in the sky, the journey south is just as spectacular. The Night Riviera Sleeper leaves London at 11.45pm, only reaching those famous St Ives clifftops around 7am – giving you plenty of time to enjoy being rocked into a deep slumber en route. The final part of the journey can be taken by bus – settling you in to the traditional Cornish way of life.

How to get there: Great Western Railway’s Night Riviera Sleeper runs from London Paddington to St Erth, Great Western Railways run from St Erth to St Ives. The journey takes 8 hours and 18 minutes, with prices between £32 and £75.50pp for a twin cabin.

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