Golf and tennis are all-year-round sports in the Algarve, though the most popular season is from autumn to late spring. Tinx Newton found just a few days away from the UK drizzle was enough to re-charge the batteries.
As the nights draw in, summer begins to feel like a distant memory and a short autumn break is just the thing to keep the winter blues at bay.
Recipe for success: a short flight at little cost, no jet lag, a quick transfer from the airport, assured sunshine and plenty to do. The Algarve fits the bill perfectly, and temperatures at this time of year are normally still in the 70s.