If you’re planning a break mid-autumn, here are a few easy to reach destinations worth considering:

Stockholm

Image Credit: Román Emin

Many people only consider a trip to Stockholm in summer, but now that the nights are drawing in you'll have fewer visitors to contend with and more chance to mix with the locals who are back in town from their lakeside cottages.

Another good reason is the fact that the excellent 127-year old Ostermalms Saluhall (food hall) will close at the end of this year for refurbishment. You won’t get another chance to go there until it reopens in 2018.

Arlanda airport is 37km north of Stockholm and served by British Airways from Heathrow; SAS from Heathrow, Edinburgh and Manchester; Norwegian from Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.

The quickest way into the city is the Arlanda Express train, which takes 20 minutes to reach Stockholm Central station, departing every 15 minutes. The fare costs Skr 280 (£22) one way. Slower, cheaper commuter trains go from SkyCity. Buses are slower still (45 minutes into town) but cost only Skr 99 (£8) one way.

Alternatively, Ryanair flies to Skavsta, 103km south-west of the city and Vasteras, 106km northwest. There are bus services to Stockholm from both of these locations.

Once you are in the city, the good-value Stockholm Card covers entry for 75 museums, attractions, tours and public transport for Skr 765 (£61) for 48 hours.

Malta

Image Credit: Berit Watkin

The beautiful 17th century Maltese capital of Valletta is enjoying a resurgence, with Renzo Piano’s new golden-stone City Gate and Parliament Building demonstrating the latest in architectural innovation. Valletta is smartening itself up in readiness for its role as European Capital of Culture in 2018. Its beautiful town-houses are being turned into smart hotels and Strait Street, formerly the red-light area, now hosts regular outdoor concerts and art exhibitions. From mid-November to January, there’s the Cathedral Contemporary Art Biennale, featuring many international contemporary artists, in the island’s ancient capital of Mdina, a walled hilltop town, 20 minutes’ drive from Valletta.

Reflecting the popularity of the island, Air Malta flies from Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Cardiff and Glasgow; easyJet from Gatwick, Newcastle and Manchester; Ryanair from Luton, Stansted, Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow Prestwick, Liverpool and Leeds/Bradford; Jet2 from Glasgow, Manchester, East Midlands, Newcastle and Leeds/Bradford; and British Airways from Gatwick.

From Luqa airport, 5km south-east of Valletta, bus X4, X5 or X7 will drop you outside the City Gate; single fares €2. A taxi costs €15.

Vienna

Image Credit: Miguel Mendez

The Austrian capital is the centre of European culture, from the 19th-century State Opera House, home of the annual Opera Ball, to historic Habsburg-era attractions, such as the ornate Belvedere Palace. Modern Vienna is also flourishing, especially in the outer districts, where modern restaurants, bars and boutiques are leading many to call it the "new Berlin".

Austrian Airlines have launched a new flight to Vienna from Manchester - the only daily service. From 17 September, British Airways will compete with easyJet from Gatwick, adding another route to the city's historic Christmas markets.

Vienna airport is 18km south-east of the city centre. Austrian Airlines flies from Manchester and Heathrow; easyJet from Gatwick, Luton (starting 23 Oct), Manchester (5 Nov) and Bristol (6 Nov); Jet2 from Manchester, Leeds/Bradford (starting 27 November) and Newcastle (27 November); and British Airways from Heathrow and Gatwick (17 September).

From the airport, the express City Airport Train takes you to central Wien-Mitte station in 16 minutes for €12 one way (daily 5.36am-11.36pm). Alternatively, the S-bahn train takes 25 minutes and costs €4.40. Taxis are around €25. British Airways Holidays offers three nights in Vienna with flights, accommodation and breakfast from £419 per person.

Most of Vienna's landmarks are in the Innere Stadt, encircled by the Ringstrasse, Vienna's grand boulevard, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. The Innere Stadt is crowned by the majestic spire of St Stephan's cathedral. To the north lies the tree-lined Danube Canal.

Cross the Ringstrasse to explore the outer districts, numbered one to nine as they move clockwise from the north. For restaurants and bars, aim for the 2nd District, Leopoldstadt. For boutiques and design shops, you’ll want the 7th, Neubau, which is also where you’ll find the Museums Quarter – a €150m development of galleries within the Habsburgs' former court stables.

The main Tourist Office at Albertinaplatz opens 9am-7pm daily. A 48-hour Vienna Card costs €18.90, giving free transport and discounts on more than 200 attractions.

Genoa

Image Credit: Thanate Tan

Genoa is one of Italy's most fascinating, yet lesser-known, cities. It shines in summer when, as kingpin of the Italian Riviera, it offers access to some of Europe's loveliest coastline. It also revels in art. The Palazzo Ducale, its key cultural hub, will salute the last of the hot weather with the 25 September opening of "The Impressionists to Picasso" (to 10 April; entry €15), with works by the likes of Monet, Degas and Van Gogh.

Cristoforo Colombo Airport is six miles west of the centre and is served by British Airways from Gatwick and Ryanair from Stansted. The Volabus shuttle – part of the municipal transport network – runs into town daily, 6am to 11.30pm. This 30-minute trip costs €6 and takes in both Genoa's main railway stations, Piazza Principe and Brignole. Taxis take about 20 minutes for a €20 fee.

Title Image Credit: Giuseppe Milo (Image Cropped)