Under £200
Björk headlines this year's Nuits Botaniques festival in Brussels, held between 18 and 30 September. Short Breaks (020 8402 0007) will accommodate you in the five-star Crowne Plaza Hotel for two nights, including breakfast and return Eurostar for £149, based on two sharing.
Under £300
Spectacular but moderate hill walking with a professional instructor in the Lake District's Borrowdale Valley is promised by the Youth Hostels Association on a five-day break beginning 16 September. With full board accommodation at the Borrowdale YHA and one year's free membership (or a renewal if you already belong) thrown in the cost is £220. Call 01768 777257 to book.
Departing 31 August you could enjoy a relaxing weekend in Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France. Staying two nights (with breakfast) at the three-star Hotel Carlton and including return Eurostar Waterloo to Lille the cost is £228. If you stay a third night for an additional £52 you could also take in a visit to Tain l'Hermitage in the heart of the wine-producing Rhone Valley and sample the local wines. Call Inntravel's Inn the City (01653 629001).
Under £400
A 15-day guided High Atlas Trail holiday in Morocco, leaving either 8 or 22 September, is available from Guerba (01373 826611). This includes an ascent of Jebel Toubkal, 12 days' trekking and a stay in Marrakech (check level of fitness required). The cost is £380, based on two sharing. Return flights with Royal Air Maroc are available for an extra £295.
Under £500
£495 and a reservation with Waymark Holidays (01753 516477) buys you a ten-night walking holiday based in the Austrian village of Trins departing 8 September. Guests stay at the recently modernised Pension Wienerhof which now offers a small pool, sauna and solarium - an ideal place for the weary at the end of each day. The price includes Lufthansa return flights Heathrow to Munich, transfers, half-board accommodation and the services of an experienced leader. Departures also available from Birmingham for £520 and Manchester for £545.
Portugal's Estoril Coast boasts a wonderful September climate; a seven-night stay at the Hotel Praia Mar at Carcavelos, based on two sharing and including breakfast, is on offer from Mundi Color Holidays (020 7828 6021) from £429 during September. Includes daily return flights Heathrow to Lisbon and taxi transfers.
Under £600
Bonaventure (020 8780 1311) has a seven-night break with half board accommodation (based on two sharing) at the three-star Hotel Gran Rey overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the Canary Island of La Gomera. Priced at £571 this includes return flights from Stansted, Birmingham or Manchester leaving 7 and 14 September and all private and ferry transfers.
Specialist operator Naturetrek (01962 733051) has an eight-day itinerary departing 29 September from Inverness in search of wildlife in the Scottish Highlands. Based at the comfortable three-star Glen Mohr Hotel and taking in the forests of Speyside, Findhorn River and Loch Ness, the tour is designed for people arriving by overnight trains from the south. Costing £595 this covers seven nights accommodation, most meals and expert guiding from respected naturalist John Carruthers.
Overcome your fear of the water or improve your swimming style on a Shaw Method course, which incorporates Alexander Technique principles. A two night stay at the four-star Majestic Hotel and Spa in Harrogate including breakfast, dinner and tuition is available for £575. The course runs from Sunday 16 to Tuesday 18 September. Call 020 8452 0000.
Under £1,000
Somewhat further afield is a spacious property set in ten acres in Maine, New England. The house, named Merryland and available from 8 September, is located 12km from Boothbay Harbor with great views of the Sheepscot River. Rental for one week is £698 (based on four sharing) or £923 for two weeks. Also included are return scheduled flights with BA or Virgin from Heathrow or Gatwick, car hire and one-night's hotel accommodation in Boston. Contact New England Country Homes (08700 774774).
