Temperamental, bleak and quite frankly apocalyptic-looking: if
2020 were a landscape, it would be Dungeness. It’s precisely this
wild beauty that attracted Derek Jarman, the late artist and film
producer, who saw out his dying days from his coastal-view abode,
Prospect Cottage. Despite having been saved from demolition
courtesy of an extensive fundraising campaign, the cottage itself
won’t be available to tour until later in the year. Regardless,
this dramatic stretch of coastline is a real boon for outdoors
enthusiasts.

Where we’re staying: Cabu by the Sea

South Tyrol is the place to go for Swiss Alpine beauty, without
the compulsory 14-day quarantine. It’s safe to say that
Soprabolzano – a petite Italian town mostly populated by
German-speaking Austrians – has long been in the midst of an
identity crisis, but we’re not letting that rain on our parade.
Sound of Music-esque mountain passes, glinting churches and more
folksy food delicacies than you’ll have time to sample make this an
ideal spot to while away an autumnal weekend. Pack a waterproof,
just in case.

Where we’re staying: Adler Lodge Ritten

Lockdown needn’t mean cutesy staycations in quaint Tudor
villages. Adrenaline junkies suffering from severe withdrawals can
still get their fix in Iceland. We’re heading to Hnappavellir, on
the edge of the wild Vatnajökull National Park, where you’ll find
slender waterfalls cascading over ancient rock forms, volcanic
lakes and crawling glaciers. The mesmeric, iceberg-studded Diamond
Beach is a short drive from Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, a luxurious
haven that we’re calling home.

Where we’re staying: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

It’s little wonder locals have been keeping this diadem of the
Slovene Riviera under wraps. This honey-hued medieval port town is
a dead-ringer for Split, which makes sense, sandwiched as it is
between Croatia and Italy. Piran was actually an Italian territory
up until the mid-20th century, which explains why so many of its
restaurants are such fonts of Mediterranean-style scrumptiousness.
If you try nothing else, make space for the cuttlefish risotto, a
local speciality. In summer it can be a tad busy, which is why
we’re making tracks in autumn when social distancing isn’t so
tricky.

Where we’re staying: Art Hotel Tartini

This cosmopolitan enclave of bon vivants in Somerset is just the
spot for city-based creatives looking to escape the buzz. Over the
past decade or so, it’s become a hub of wholesomeness. From the
Hauser & Wirth gallery and gardens to the High Street lined
with pop-up art spaces and ceramics studios, to its quite frankly
salacious glut of design-led boutique hotels, this unassuming town
is made for long, lazy autumn weekends. Check out our guide for an
edit of Bruton’s best restaurants, bars and activities.

Where we’re staying: Caro
B&B

Ah, a good old-fashioned spa town – the sort of place frequented
by Austen heroines of yore. To reach this pocket-sized mountain
beauty, you’ll need to catch a 90-minute train from Salzburg
through gaping valleys and splintered, snow-dusted crags. Rest
assured, it’ll be a serious level-up from your daily commute. In
winter, the hills surrounding Bad Gastein are thick with skiers,
but if you head just as the leaves are turning you’ll get to see
the Alps in all their russet glory – plus, you’ll have those
CGI-style mountain views all to yourself.

Where we’re staying: Alpenlofts

It’s not the place to go for year-round sun, but a week in the
Faroe Islands will fill you with so many once-in-a-lifetime views
you’ll bore your Instagram followers silly for months after you’ve
returned to home turf. You’ll find us on Eysturoy, the
second-largest island in the archipelago, not far from the
400-year-old village of Gjógv. Hire a car and rumble from misty
peaks down to roaring waters, all the while immersing yourself in
the Viking legends that still ripple across the islands’ rugged
topography.

Where we’re staying: Gjáargarður Guesthouse