See the autumn palette on a stroll in Monet’s garden

BOOK an eight-day cruise on the Seine and you’ll be able to enjoy the autumn colours in Monet’s garden at Giverny, join a walking tour of Rouen, go cider-tasting in Normandy, visit Second World War sites from Le Havre – and even take a guided walk in Montmartre. Or borrow a ship’s bike and explore on your own.

Amadeus Diamond sails on October 26 on a round trip from Paris, where it stays overnight on its return. The price is down from £1,236pp to £989pp and includes wine with meals and use of bikes, but not excursions or flights to Paris (amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk).

Head off to see the Northern Lights with new line Havila Voyages. It’s so confident you’ll see them that it promises a free one-week voyage the following winter if you fail to witness the spectacle during a 12-day Norwegian coastal voyage departing before the end of March 2023. Book by October 31 and you’ll receive 5,000 kroner (about £420) on-board credit per cabin. The round-trip voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes deep inside the Arctic Circle costs from £1,555pp, including flights and pre- and post-cruise hotel stays with Best Served Scandinavia (best-served.co.uk).

Fancy a getaway with friends? Charter a traditional Croatian wooden boat for 24 guests and spend a week sailing around the islands and coves on the Dalmatian coast and the cost can be as little as £547pp. Charters for whole boats with 12 en suite cabins start at £13,137 for a week, departing on May 13, 2023. The price with Sail Croatia includes a tour manager, wi-fi and daily breakfast and lunch, but not flights (sail-croatia.com).