City breaks can be one of the best ways to indulge in a little luxury when you only have a weekend or a few days to spare. When the colder weather of the autumn rolls in and you’re looking towards the festive season, you might feel in need of a little getaway to lift your spirits and refresh yourself. Autumn is actually a great time to spend a few days away from home whether you’re chasing the fading sun or actually reveling in the changing season. There are some fantastic spots where you can enjoy cheap city breaks during the last months of the year.

Italy is often a country highlighted as a particular favorite for autumnal breaks, and there are a range of city breaks that will offer both relaxation and interesting culture. Rome is a number one spot for culture lovers, and as the city dates back to 753BC it offers an enormous amount of history to explore. Ancient Rome is brought to life with the Roman Forum, whilst taking pictures in St. Peter’s Square is a must. Meanwhile, both Verona and Assisi make ideal Italian alternatives. Verona, ever caught in literature by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, has an arena dating to 30AD. With the stunning Lake Garda only an hour’s drive away, it offers a great city break. Assisi, though not a city, is also fantastic for an urban break and offers the charm of cobbled streets, bell towers and Gothic churches.

If you want to indulge in the fall season then there is no better place to go than Munich, where the annual Oktoberfest takes hold of the entire city from the 18^th September to the 4^th October. The world’s largest party, this famous celebration involves beer, music, merriment and fun, and with more than six million visitors over the 17 days, you can indulge in Bavarian culture at Munich’s Theresienwiese like never before. New York City is also another great place to visit in the fall, with the thousands of trees in Central Park offering iconic colors to enjoy. Meanwhile, with Thanksgiving held on the last Thursday in November, you can enjoy pumpkin pie, the iconic Macy’s parade and popup festive markets throughout Manhattan.

If the cold is not what you’re looking for, and you instead want to chase the waning fall sun, then heading to the Mediterranean is a great idea. Spain’s Granada is situated at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and with its name translating to ‘pomegranate’, is quite alluring. Alhambra Palace should not be missed and, with it being one of Europe’s greatest Islamic artworks, should be enjoyed for its beautiful decorated ceilings and walls. Portugal’s Lisbon meanwhile is another great city to visit during the autumn months. With yellow trams traversing the city, medieval lanes in Alfama drawing you in, and the Baixa quarter offering live music and drinks, you’ll forget that autumn has even arrived.

Taking a city break in the autumn can be a great way to relax before the often hectic and stressful winter season. With so many ideal locations, you may find it hard to decide just where to go.