Autumn is now in full swing and summer holidays are already a distant memory, but the urge to travel certainly does not go dormant. On the contrary, this is precisely the moment when the desire to discover new places grows, to let yourself be surprised by unusual destinations, and to begin dreaming of the next trips, perhaps taking advantage of the upcoming winter break.
Even in October, the readers of SiViaggia continued to explore the world through stories of time-forgotten villages, monasteries rich in treasures, cities praised by international press, and architectures that seem to have stepped straight out of a child’s imagination. From Serbia to the Netherlands, passing through Tuscany and the Marche, here are the five places and journeys that made people dream the most this month.
Manasija Monastery, Resembling a Medieval Castle
At first glance it looks like a medieval fortress, but the Manasija Monastery is much more: it rises in the Resava river valley in Serbia, with its towering stone walls, imposing towers, and a defensive system formed by more than a hundred loopholes. It is the Manasija Monastery, one of the country’s most fascinating places, founded in the fifteenth century by the despot Stefan Lazarević.
Behind its imposing fortified enclosure lies a treasure of art and spirituality: the main church houses precious frescoes of the Byzantine tradition, while the famous School of Resava contributed for centuries to the transcription and diffusion of the manuscripts. It is no coincidence that UNESCO, in 2010, included it in the proactive list of candidate sites for World Heritage.
Here is our article: The secret charm of Manasija Monastery, keeper of extraordinary frescoes and centuries of Serbian history
Senigallia, the City to Experience Even in Autumn
There is a town in the Marche region that drew the attention of the prestigious British daily The Guardian, ranking among the five European destinations recommended for still enjoying autumn sunshine. It is Senigallia, famed for its Velvet Beach, which, precisely when the umbrellas disappear at the end of the warmest season, reveals a different, calmer face, all to be discovered.
What captivates foreign press is not only the sea, but also its extraordinary gastronomic offering, with starred restaurants, local products, and specialties such as cheese pizza. There are also autumn markets, olive harvests, and strolls along the Misa river, the hills, and inland villages. Among the city’s symbols is the Rotonda a Mare, an elegant 1930s structure perched over the Adriatic: from here begins one of the itineraries suggested by the Guardian, a walk that leaves the coast and climbs toward the inland villages.
Here is our article: Senigallia wins over the Guardian: the Italian destination to still enjoy autumn sun
Christmas 2026 on a Budget: Five Dream Destinations Amid Markets and Winter Sun
Who said that traveling at Christmas has to cost a fortune? Among the European cities that light up with decorations and markets and the destinations where to spend the holidays in warmth, there are several places that allow you to treat yourself to a vacation without emptying your wallets. Among those that caught the attention of SiViaggia readers, Craiova in Romania stands out, where the Christmas market earned first place in the 2026 European ranking. In 2026 the theme is the Elf Kingdom: decorations and lights spread across five squares and along the avenues of the city center, and among the attractions there is also a 40-meter-high Ferris wheel from which to admire the illuminated city.
Among other recommended destinations for a budget Christmas we find Debrecen in Hungary, perfect for soaking up the Advent atmosphere away from Budapest’s prices; the lights of Riga in Latvia; and two warmer alternatives to the cold: Agadir in Morocco and the Algarve in Portugal, where December offers mild temperatures and days to spend outdoors.
Here is our article: Where to go for Christmas 2026 on a budget: fairy-tale destinations and low-cost options
Gargonza, the Charming Tuscan Hill Town Castle
On the hills of the Val di Chiana, halfway between Arezzo and Siena, there lies a fortified hill town that seems to have paused in the Middle Ages. It is Gargonza, a small stone village dominated by a crenellated tower, where narrow lanes wind between ancient walls, medieval passages, and a small square with an octagonal well. Its history spans almost nine centuries and it also harbors a connection with Dante Alighieri: according to tradition, the poet stayed here during his exile.
After nearly facing abandonment in the twentieth century, the village was recovered with a careful conservative restoration and today welcomes travelers to its historic residences, allowing them to discover all its charm from another era.
Here is our article: Gargonza, the stone hill-town-castle that tells 900 years of Tuscan history
The Rotterdam Forest District with Its Cubic Houses
In Rotterdam, the Netherlands, there exists a district that seems to have stepped out of an imaginary world: a sequence of large yellow cubes tilted at 45 degrees, resting on hexagonal pillars and linked together in a striking geometric composition.
They are the Kubuswoningen, designed by architect Piet Blom and built between 1982 and 1984. Their nickname is Blaakse Bos, meaning “Blaak Forest,” because each dwelling symbolically represents a tree, with the pillar acting as trunk and the tilted cube as the canopy. But the most incredible thing is that these are not mere artistic installations: they are real inhabited houses, with spaces spread across three levels and slanted walls that make every space unconventional. Those who want to discover what it’s like to live in these unusual homes can also visit a public house-museum.
Here is our article: The neighborhood with incredible cube houses that look like a geometric forest: Kubuswoningen, in Rotterdam
