Autumn in Europe
Where vacationers can still soak up the sun
Autumn shows its radiant side in Croatia.
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Gray skies, cool days – in many places in Germany, autumn is not exactly tempting. The sun is still shining in these places in Europe.
The sun is getting weaker, temperatures are falling. For true summer fans, the end of the hot season is like a cold shower. If you don’t feel like umbrellas and Frisian mink, you should take a look around these corners of Europe. Because holidaymakers can still soak up a lot of sun here.
Swimming in Kvarner Bay
The Bay of Kvarner is about 500 kilometers from Munich, not super close, but not too far away either. Located on the Croatian coast, it’s something like Tuscany 2.0 – only with fewer tourists. On the other hand, the spot on earth can look forward to 2,500 hours of sunshine per year. For comparison: This summer it was in Germany according to the German Weather Service 820 hours of sunshine. Although the summer of 2022 clearly surpassed the previous record holder of 2003 with 793 hours, it still cannot compete with the bright Kvarner Bay.
The Kvarner Bay is also ideal for a dip in the cool water in autumn: the water temperature is a pleasant 22 degrees. Because of the high mountains, the island is well protected from strong winds, which explains, among other things, the mild climate. Once there, holidaymakers have a free choice: island hopping via Rab, Krk, Losinj or Cres? Or would you rather stroll through the coastal towns of Opatija or Rijeka? The undecided can combine both.
Rijeka attracts with culture
For those interested in culture, Rijeka is a must. Together with Galway, Ireland, the port city held the title of Capital of Culture in both 2020 and 2021 – due to the corona pandemic. The Croatian National Theater alone is worth a flying visit. It was designed by the architectural office “Fellner & Helmer”, which specializes in theater buildings. In addition, Rijeka has been used as a backdrop in 40 films and series episodes so far.
Madeira: Ripe for the island
For our next European sun destination, we make a jump to Madeira. In September and October, temperatures on the island of Madeira climb to 25 degrees. The year-round mild climate is due to the Gulf Stream. In addition to numerous bathing bays, such as Lido Galomar, an underwater national park in Canico attracts divers every year. In autumn, the water temperature of the Atlantic Ocean does not drop below 22 degrees.
The volcanic landscape is ideal for hiking tours. An easy route leads to the top of the third highest mountain. On the 1,818 meter high Pico do Arieiro, hikers have a magnificent view over Madeira. On a clear day, the neighboring island of Porto Santo can be seen. A moss-covered hiking trail leads to the Risco waterfall, which is located in the south-west of the island. The masses of water plunge almost 100 meters into the depths.
For football enthusiasts, the CR7 Museum is interesting. There you can find out everything about the career of Cristiano Ronaldo (37). The exceptional talent was born on Madeira. In the old town of Funchal there is also a market hall, a paradise for food lovers. Local products are tempting at the stands – just try them out.