• Kaokoveld, Namibia: Namibia enjoys its driest, coolest weather in October and the country’s remote and resplendent Kaokoveld desert calls out to the adventurous traveller. A trip to Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, which officially opened in August, is a great starting point. Located in the private Palmwag Concession bordering the Skeleton Coast National Park, the solar-powered camp comprises eight stylish en suite tents, which afford spectacular views of the surrounding desert. Home to a host of desert-adapted species, including elephants, gemsboks, giraffes, springboks and the occasional lion and rhino, the area can be explored by foot, road or air — the scenic flight to Skeleton Coast with its seal colonies and pebble beaches is a must. Other attractions include the oases in the Hoanib floodplains, the shipwrecks of Skeleton Coast, game drives and nature walks. Courtesy Wilderness Safaris
    Kaokoveld, Namibia: Namibia enjoys its driest, coolest weather in October and the country’s remote and resplendent Kaokoveld desert calls out to the adventurous traveller. A trip to Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, which officially opened in August, is a great starting point. Located in the private Palmwag Concession bordering the Skeleton Coast National Park, the solar-powered camp comprises eight stylish en suite tents, which afford spectacular views of the surrounding desert. Home to a host of desert-adapted species, including elephants, gemsboks, giraffes, springboks and the occasional lion and rhino, the area can be explored by foot, road or air — the scenic flight to Skeleton Coast with its seal colonies and pebble beaches is a must. Other attractions include the oases in the Hoanib floodplains, the shipwrecks of Skeleton Coast, game drives and nature walks. Courtesy Wilderness Safaris
  • Community safari in Kenya: This October, The Safari Collection group offers wildlife travel enthusiasts an opportunity to know more about native fauna, flora and culture — basically a deeper picture of the non-tourism side of Africa — through a Conservation & Community Safari in Kenya. The package includes learning about big-cat conservation efforts through Ewaso lions — a grass root project focusing on the conservation of lions through awareness programs and education — and experiencing everyday Samburu tribal life. For a price of US$6,215 (Dh22,827) per person, you get six nights’ full-board accommodation including activities and internal flight transfers; plus $50 (Dh183) per person, per night — will go to wildlife, education and community projects — and on your visits to the various farms and orphanages of Kenya, you will get to observe first-hand the difference your contribution makes. Courtesy The Safari Collection
    Community safari in Kenya: This October, The Safari Collection group offers wildlife travel enthusiasts an opportunity to know more about native fauna, flora and culture — basically a deeper picture of the non-tourism side of Africa — through a Conservation & Community Safari in Kenya. The package includes learning about big-cat conservation efforts through Ewaso lions — a grass root project focusing on the conservation of lions through awareness programs and education — and experiencing everyday Samburu tribal life. For a price of US$6,215 (Dh22,827) per person, you get six nights’ full-board accommodation including activities and internal flight transfers; plus $50 (Dh183) per person, per night — will go to wildlife, education and community projects — and on your visits to the various farms and orphanages of Kenya, you will get to observe first-hand the difference your contribution makes. Courtesy The Safari Collection
  • Melbourne Festival, Australia: Spread over 16 days and 30 venues starting from October 10, Melbourne Festival — known as the Spoleto Festival when it started in 1986 — is one of the most important multi-arts events on the international cultural calendar. From dance, music and theatre to visual arts, circus performances and talks, the festival is famous for its family-friendly entertainment offerings. This year’s highlights include a performance by the former Pop Will Eat Itself frontman Clint Mansell; a collaboration between the Brisbane circus company Circa and the Debussy String Quartet, from France; a documentary about Vivien Maier, who kept her photography a secret for more than 40 years; and an epic-scale song-dance-and-dialogue concert by 40 members of the renowned vocal theatre group Carmina Slovenica.
    Melbourne Festival, Australia: Spread over 16 days and 30 venues starting from October 10, Melbourne Festival — known as the Spoleto Festival when it started in 1986 — is one of the most important multi-arts events on the international cultural calendar. From dance, music and theatre to visual arts, circus performances and talks, the festival is famous for its family-friendly entertainment offerings. This year’s highlights include a performance by the former Pop Will Eat Itself frontman Clint Mansell; a collaboration between the Brisbane circus company Circa and the Debussy String Quartet, from France; a documentary about Vivien Maier, who kept her photography a secret for more than 40 years; and an epic-scale song-dance-and-dialogue concert by 40 members of the renowned vocal theatre group Carmina Slovenica.
  • Hermanus, South Africa: This pretty seaside town on the southern coast, a 90-minute drive from Cape Town, is considered to be the best land-based whale-watching destination in the world, attracting thousands of visitors. Currently in its 23rd year, the annual Hermanus Whale Festival — famous as the only eco-arts festival in South Africa — will be held between October 3 and October 6. Whale watchers can look forward to seeing pods of southern white whales, which populate the Walker Bay waters at this time of year, at delightfully close quarters. You can sign up for a whale-spotting boat trip, attend a walking tour among the hidden coves where the whales come to rest, or even hire a sea kayak and get really close. On land, the festival is akin to a carnival and boasts numerous performances, food and shopping stalls, kids’ entertainment areas and sports events. Jordi Matas / Demotix
    Hermanus, South Africa: This pretty seaside town on the southern coast, a 90-minute drive from Cape Town, is considered to be the best land-based whale-watching destination in the world, attracting thousands of visitors. Currently in its 23rd year, the annual Hermanus Whale Festival — famous as the only eco-arts festival in South Africa — will be held between October 3 and October 6. Whale watchers can look forward to seeing pods of southern white whales, which populate the Walker Bay waters at this time of year, at delightfully close quarters. You can sign up for a whale-spotting boat trip, attend a walking tour among the hidden coves where the whales come to rest, or even hire a sea kayak and get really close. On land, the festival is akin to a carnival and boasts numerous performances, food and shopping stalls, kids’ entertainment areas and sports events. Jordi Matas / Demotix
  • Around the world: If time (and money) is not an issue, embark upon this three-month expedition that takes in 12 locations across the world. The Journey to Nature’s Edge is a million-dollar philanthropic adventure for wildlife lovers as it takes in 18 endangered species, including polar bears in Arctic Canada, jaguars in Brazil, penguins in Antarctica, snow leopards and tigers in India and white rhinos in Kenya, to name a few. A percentage of the cost of every trip will be donated to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Courtesy Whichaway Camp
    Around the world: If time (and money) is not an issue, embark upon this three-month expedition that takes in 12 locations across the world. The Journey to Nature’s Edge is a million-dollar philanthropic adventure for wildlife lovers as it takes in 18 endangered species, including polar bears in Arctic Canada, jaguars in Brazil, penguins in Antarctica, snow leopards and tigers in India and white rhinos in Kenya, to name a few. A percentage of the cost of every trip will be donated to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Courtesy Whichaway Camp
  • Alba, Italy: A delicious treasure hunt with the promise of a feast to follow, the Alba International Truffle Fair fulfils the gourmet traveller’s quest for the “diamond of the kitchen” — the white truffle. At €2,000 (Dh9,648) per pound, the highly sought-after fruiting fungus is most abundant in Alba, a Piedmontese town in northern Italy. The annual festival attracts chefs and foodies from around the world who visit the specially erected truffle marketplace to buy truffle oil, butter, creams, jars of truffle-infused sauces and even creamy ice-cream served with finely grated white truffle. Other events include concerts, donkey races, white-truffle walks and a truffle auction. Olivier Morin / AFP photo
    Alba, Italy: A delicious treasure hunt with the promise of a feast to follow, the Alba International Truffle Fair fulfils the gourmet traveller’s quest for the “diamond of the kitchen” — the white truffle. At €2,000 (Dh9,648) per pound, the highly sought-after fruiting fungus is most abundant in Alba, a Piedmontese town in northern Italy. The annual festival attracts chefs and foodies from around the world who visit the specially erected truffle marketplace to buy truffle oil, butter, creams, jars of truffle-infused sauces and even creamy ice-cream served with finely grated white truffle. Other events include concerts, donkey races, white-truffle walks and a truffle auction. Olivier Morin / AFP photo
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand: Loi Krathong, literally “floating lantern”, is an annual festival that signals positivity as the krathongs “carry away” bad luck. The festival is observed across Thailand, but the celebrations at Chiang Mai are particularly famous as well as unique, because in addition to a lit floating receptacle, people release thousands of lanterns in the sky. This year, the three-day event starts on November 5 with a sunset lantern parade followed by the first night of the Noppomas Queen beauty pageant. The next two days hold the various lantern contests and the floating lantern parade. The winner of the beauty contest, also known as Miss Yee Peng, is announced amid fanfare and fireworks.
    Chiang Mai, Thailand: Loi Krathong, literally “floating lantern”, is an annual festival that signals positivity as the krathongs “carry away” bad luck. The festival is observed across Thailand, but the celebrations at Chiang Mai are particularly famous as well as unique, because in addition to a lit floating receptacle, people release thousands of lanterns in the sky. This year, the three-day event starts on November 5 with a sunset lantern parade followed by the first night of the Noppomas Queen beauty pageant. The next two days hold the various lantern contests and the floating lantern parade. The winner of the beauty contest, also known as Miss Yee Peng, is announced amid fanfare and fireworks.
  • Cayman Islands, Caribbean: Pirates Week is an annual 11-day festival that offers a mix of tradition and recreation in a way that only the Caribbean can. Even while districts on Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman host the all-important Heritage Day to highlight each area’s distinct culture, customs and contributions, the revelry never stops. From street dances and street food to cardboard boat races, costume parties and lessons on speaking and dressing like a pirate, it’s all about good-natured fun with a twist — last year, a mock pirate invasion saw the governor being whisked away. Juan Jose Marroquin for Red Bull Cayman Islands
    Cayman Islands, Caribbean: Pirates Week is an annual 11-day festival that offers a mix of tradition and recreation in a way that only the Caribbean can. Even while districts on Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman host the all-important Heritage Day to highlight each area’s distinct culture, customs and contributions, the revelry never stops. From street dances and street food to cardboard boat races, costume parties and lessons on speaking and dressing like a pirate, it’s all about good-natured fun with a twist — last year, a mock pirate invasion saw the governor being whisked away. Juan Jose Marroquin for Red Bull Cayman Islands
  • Rajasthan, India: The tiny desert town of Pushkar in Rajasthan comes alive during the Kartik Purnima mela, which came about in the early 1900s to welcome the holy Hindu lunar month Kartika. The annual fair sees a flurry of activity, most notably camel trading, racing and beauty contests. An array of temple dancers, magicians, saints and snake charmers entertain the crowd even as pilgrims bathe in the waters of the Pushkar Lake on the day of the full moon. You can also sign up for Vedic walks, temple tours of the only temple in India dedicated to Lord Brahma (creator of the universe, according to Hindu mythology) and even play a cricket match against the members of the local Pushkar club. Courtesy of Simon De Trey-White
    Rajasthan, India: The tiny desert town of Pushkar in Rajasthan comes alive during the Kartik Purnima mela, which came about in the early 1900s to welcome the holy Hindu lunar month Kartika. The annual fair sees a flurry of activity, most notably camel trading, racing and beauty contests. An array of temple dancers, magicians, saints and snake charmers entertain the crowd even as pilgrims bathe in the waters of the Pushkar Lake on the day of the full moon. You can also sign up for Vedic walks, temple tours of the only temple in India dedicated to Lord Brahma (creator of the universe, according to Hindu mythology) and even play a cricket match against the members of the local Pushkar club. Courtesy of Simon De Trey-White

Where to go when: Autumn season

  • English
  • Arabic

For more details

• Limassol, Cyprus: For details visit www.limassolmarina.com

• Kaokoveld, Namibia: Wilderness Safaris (www.wilderness-safaris.com) organises stays at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp for R6,000 (Dh2,077)

• Community safari in Kenya: The Conservation & Community Safari is from October 27 to November 2. For more information, call 0027 218 762 153 or email info@classic-portfolio.com

• Melbourne Festival, Australia: Multi-event packages are now on sale, with a 15 per cent discount when you sign up for three or more events. For details visit www.melbournefestival.com.au

• Hermanus, South Africa: For the full programme, visit www.whalefestival.co.za

• Around the World: Natural World Safaris organises a customised itinerary for this US$1-million (Dh3.6m) expedition, inclusive of first-class flights, private transfers, five-star accommodation, all meals, park fees and excursions. For more information visit www.naturalworldsafaris.com, or call Will Bolsover on 0044 1273 691 642

• Alba, Italy: The truffle market is open every weekend in November and the auction takes place on November 16. For more information, email info@fieradeltartufo.org

• Chiang Mai, Thailand: Loi Krathong is sometimes called the Yi Peng festival in Chiang Mai; both Emirates and Etihad fly to Chiang Mai via Bangkok

• Cayman Islands, Caribbean: Pirates Week is from November 6 to November 16 this year. Check for updates on https://www.facebook.com/CaymanIslandsPiratesWeekFestival. If you want to be a part of the annual "pirate invasion", email pirates@candw.ky

• Rajasthan, India: The Pushkar fair runs until November 6, and can now be viewed in relative luxury from a hot-air balloon. Visit www.skywaltz.comfor more information

AustraliaKenyaCyprusSouth Africa