Where to go on fall holidays...

Autumn holiday ideas: 10 reasons to travel in October

With Autumn on its way, Nick Trend looks at the best destinations to visit for sunshine, nature, art, opera, Halloween – or even ham.

Autumn sun — Cyprus
Nowhere in the Med does the summer warmth cling on longer and more reliably than in Cyprus. While October is the wettest, often most unsettled month in Majorca, Cyprus is still getting nine hours of sunshine a day, temperatures peaking at 82F (28C) and the sea, after a long hot summer, is like a warm bath. It’s true to say that much of the coastal development is not subtly done, but the far west of the island, and especially the Akamas peninsula and the inland villages, are still largely unspoilt. Sunvil (www.sunvil.co.uk) has the best selection of accommodation.

Autumn holiday ideas: 10 reasons to travel in October

Oktoberfest — Munich
Munich is seriously underrated as a city-break destination (the Alte Pinakothek, for example, has one of the best art collections in Europe), and tends only to get a mention for its world-famous beer festival. So, if lager and lederhosen are not your idea of fun, delay your trip until a little later in the month when the visitors stream away and hotel prices and airfares plummet. If you want to enjoy the greatest beer festival in the world, however, this year you will need to be there between September 18 and October 4. The festival, 200 years old this year, is focused on a dozen or so beer tents erected in the Theresienwiese park close to the city centre. These get very popular, so it’s worth planning your day and reserving a place well in advance. The official website (www.muenchen.de) has full details on how to do this.

Gauguin’s Brittany

The highlight of the exhibition season in London this autumn (opening September 30) is Tate Modern’s major retrospective of the paintings and sculptures of Paul Gauguin. Many people associate his rich palate and languid nudes with his time in the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific, or remember his ill-fated stay with Van Gogh in Arles. But much of his early, formative work was done around the picturesque village of Pont Aven in southern Brittany. The countryside and rugged coastline here are as beautiful as any in France. Go in late September or early October – the sights will be free of crowds and there is still a good chance of decent weather. More information: www.brittanytourism.com and www.tate.org.uk.  

 

Canaletto’s Venice
If the 18th century is more to your taste, while the Tate Modern is showing Gauguin, the National Gallery is pitching in with a Canaletto exhibition (opening October 13). No painter caught the play of light on water and stone or the sheer architectural grandeur of Venice better. And the wonderful thing about the views Canaletto painted is that they have changed little since. So if you are inspired to see the real thing, October in Venice is generally still balmy, with early morning mist adding to the atmosphere. More information: www.turismovenezia.it/eng and www.nationalgallery.org.uk.

Touring Jordan

There are few countries which work quite as well as Jordan when it comes to a “highlights” tour of contrasting sights and landscapes – especially for an adventurous family trip. The October half-term is the ideal time to travel, with the temperature in the north about 70F (20C), and a little higher on the Red Sea and in the desert around Wadi Rum. The most common stops on a week or 10-day minibus tour are the Roman ruins at Jerash, the splendid mosaic floors in Madaba, a swim in the Dead Sea, camping in the desert at Wadi Rum (Lawrence of Arabia country), a visit to Petra and a couple of days on the beach in Aqaba. Exodus (www.exodus.co.uk) runs regular tours of the country, including some aimed at families.

Autumn colour — the Lake District

I learnt a lesson this summer. Spending a week in the Lake District in July, we were almost washed out by virtually continuous rain, while back home in Norfolk the sun shone in cloudless skies. The point is that Cumbria, as well as being the most spectacularly beautiful county in England, is also the wettest. The solution, I think, is to go at a time of year when you don’t have high expectations of the weather. If it rains, take a blustery hike and dry off in front of the fire in the afternoon. If it’s sunny, you will see the fells at their most resplendent – the dying bracken turns burnt orange, the rowan berries are bright red and the leaves in the valley woodlands are turning. More information: www.lakedistrict.gov.uk.

Tropical sun — Mauritius

Often touted as a winter sun destination, climatically this Indian Ocean island is actually at its best in autumn. October is the driest, sunniest and least humid month, with temperatures – around 80F (27C) – very warm, but not too hot. The time difference is manageable, too – three hours ahead of BST (four ahead of GMT), so you minimise jet lag. It’s essentially a resort destination, so you need to be sure that you book one that suits you, bearing in mind that the last two weeks of October are likely to be popular with families on half-term. Kuoni (www.kuoni.co.uk) offers a big selection and competitive rates. 

HOW TO BE STYLISH

Women come in all shapes and sizes, so how do you find clothes that are flattering your specific body type? The key is to know your proportions, and use fashion to accentuate your best features--and hide everything else!

IDENTIFYING YOUR BODY TYPE
1. Determine what type shape your body is. Pay attention to your curves. Look at how they connect your bust, waist, and hips.

• Measure the sizes of your bust, waist, and hip. Depending on the size of each part (in inches), you can determine which shape your body is to find clothes that properly fit
• In most Western countries, the typical size is 36”-24”-36”. However, don’t feel pressured to fit these measurements. Just measure to see which of the four body types you are.

2. Keep in mind that you can change your body shape with some dedication.Morphing one body type in to another is attainable through diet and exercise. If you wish to fit certain clothes better it’s a good idea to maybe make some lifestyle changes.

• One exercise does not suit everyone. Find one that will help you reach your end goal quickest. For example, if you wish for a thinner frame (smaller waist), then cardio would be a larger part of your routine, rather than weights.
• Know what your natural body is like. There are three main ones: Endomorphs (bodies that retain fat easier than others), Ectomorphs (bodies that burn fat quick), and Mesomorphs (athletic bodies that are usually maintained through consistent exercise).
• Cardio and resistance training are most commonly used to change body types. By knowing if you retain fat more or lose it quicker, you can create an exercise plan to cater to your bodily needs.
• Remember that the idea of an ideal body has changed. You don’t have to have the body of a model to wear everything.

3. Look at your genetics. Family genes play a large role in your body type. Look at other women in your family to see a common trend, and what they wear and do to dress for their bodies.

DRESSING YOUR BODY

1. 1.Falling under the apple body type. Generally described as “top-heavy”, this is generally about 14 percent of women where the bust is three or more inches bigger than the hips.
   

   • Follow your bodyline and keep details on the top and lower third of your body.Draw attention away from your waist and shoulders/arms (wear long sleeves), and draw attention to your bust and neck (e.g. v-necks).
   • Choose flared pants over straight-leg or skinny pants, and to help balance out wide shoulders and/or a heavy upper body.
   • Avoid dresses and belts that pinch at your waist. This will most likely accentuate curves that you may not wish to show off.
   • Wear tops that drape over any curves if you wish.
   • Draw attention away from unwanted curves by enhancing a feature that is further away or you can cover it with dark colors.
2. 2
   Being a 'straight/rectangular body type. About 46 percent of women are this shape where the waist is about the same as hips and waist.
   

   • If you have this body type, you can "pinch" your waist and exaggerate curves to avoid looking lanky or boyish.
   • Go for ruffles and frills to add texture and volume (and femininity) to your figure.
   • Steer clear of baggy jeans and track clothes if you don't want to look boyish.
   • Stock up on miniskirts and bright tights to make the most of your great legs. They will also add more shape to a straight body.
   • Wear belts and dresses that pinch at your waist. This is a must because it'll create the illusion of curves.
3. 3
   Being a pear body type. Considered the opposite of the apple body type, this one is bottom-heavy with about 20 percent of women having hips significantly larger than bust.
   

   • If you’re a pear body-type, there are things you can do to make your hips and butt look slimmer, if you want to make their butts bigger!
   • Balance your top with your bottom. Try to wear tops that accentuate your shoulders a bit more.
   • Avoid pants or tights that narrow your legs. With the pear body-type
   • Wearing a push-up bra to add curves up top might not be a bad idea. Just make sure you are wearing the right bra size!
   • Wear straight-leg or slightly flared pants with heels. Skinny pants that hug your ankles can make your lower body take on the appearance of an upside-down triangle. Flared pants can make your legs look very thick, perhaps bowl-legged, in comparison to your upper body.
4. 4
   Having the hourglass body. This is the least common with only 8 percent of women. The hip and bust measurements are usually equal, with a narrow waist.
   

   • Dress to flatter your beautiful curves by following your body’s outline. Don’t wear loose clothes that hide your body.
   • Balance your top and bottom while accentuating your waist. Draw attention to your waist with belts and dresses that pinch at the mid-section.
   • Remember, just because you have an hourglass figure doesn't mean you have to wear clothes that make you blush. If a neckline is too deep, or if a hemline is too short, leave those clothes on the rack.
   • Shape your bust. If you have an hourglass shape, you probably have an ample bust; your main concern should be to wear a supportive bra so that your chest looks perky, not droopy.
   • Stock up on V-neck dresses and tops - they're super flattering on big-busted girls. If you don't want to draw attention to your chest, stay away from necklaces and wear chunky bangles instead.

   
   

Feel your elegance in this Calvin Klein Women's Trapunto Dress!

Mango Women's Denim Shorts with high waist in a dark wash. Five pockets, belt loops, button, zip fastening and roll up hem.

                                       

Isn't it beautiful? Tell me what you think...

If you are an ideal woman who loves not only getting dressed well but also cook deliciously to gain much more attention and love, you can watch this video to make a tasty tiramisu....