AUTUMN is well and truly here, and what better way to while away the dark nights than to curl up with this month's escape....to seek inspiration for next year's holiday.

In this issue Nicole Garnon takes the family to Spain - the long way round, by ferry and car. Paul Platt uses pedal power up some of the steepest mountains in France. Meanwhile, Ashley Nield travels to the wild Orkney Isles; and Rhiannon Beacham flits from city to city in a whistlestop tour of Denmark.

If all that appears a bit too much like hard work, then take a tip out of Ken Bennett's book and relax in the serene surroundings of the Lake District.

If some of the rules governing customs and excise leave you baffled, then we have an easy-to-understand guide to make sure you don't get caught out like Wayne Rooney's fiancee Coleen McLoughlin. And if you fancy a last-minute holiday before the end of the year check out the lates page, which has some great bargains.

Last, but by no means least, we have a great reader competition which gives you the chance to experience the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Regents Street lights with an overnight stay in a fantastic London hotel and a west end show thrown in. Enjoy!