Italy

Many Italians believe September to be the best month in their country - when the scorching summer heat’s died down, the Italians, refreshed after a month’s holiday in August - are in the mood for a party. It’s the perfect time to explore the wonders of Rome – marvel at the staggering wealth of the Vatican City and dream by those icons of ancient glory - the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Forum. Visit Rome in early September and you’re in for a treat - for the annual festival of La Notte Bianca the city quaffs an extra espresso and stays up all night long - with all museums, galleries and shops open to the public from 8pm ‘til 8am.

Not to be outdone, Milan throws its own party in September - one that dazzles the world. Italy’s financial and industrial capital is even better known as one of the world’s fashion capitals - a style leader in every way. Here you can indulge in the glamour of past and present - sipping coffee in the Armani Cafe while you gaze upon the gothic splendour of Milan cathedral, reflected in the window of a designer shop. Visit in late September and you’ll be the first to know what you’ll be wearing next year, as the most celebrated names in fashion show off their Spring/Summer collections for 2008 at Milan fashion week.

Fly with airBaltic to Rome and Milan from Riga and Vilnius.

Spain

Barcelona the capital of Catalonia holds itself apart from the rest of Spain. It’s proud to preserve its own traditions, and Catalan creativity has produced something truly unique here. Explore Barcelona’s history on a stroll through the city, from the Gothic Quarter where Roman remains mix with medieval architecture, to the surreal and dazzling buildings of Antonio Gaudi. Climb the towers of his landmark unfinished cathedral the Sagrada Familia, or gaze out over the swelling roofs and organic curves of La Pedrera and the Casa Batllo. Barcelona is a relaxed city, lapped by the Mediterranean Sea - and it’s the best place to combine a city break with a seaside holiday - as there’s even a metro stop on the beach!

Malaga, close to the most southerly tip of Spain, stays balmy well into the autumn. The most popular resorts of the Costa del Sol, including Torremolinos and Marbella, are all within an hour of Malaga city, which is increasingly vying with Seville as the cultural and economic capital of the south. Use the city as the jumping off point for a tour of Andalucia - famed for its exotic heritage. Indulge your imagination in the fabled luxury of Spain’s Moorish palaces - the Alhambra in Granada the most celebrated of them. Though it has cosmopolitan roots, Andalucia is perhaps Spain’s most ‘Spanish’ region. Here you’ll find the spirit of flamenco, fiesta and bull fighting is still alive and kicking.

airBaltic flies to Barcelona from Riga and Vilnius and to Malaga from Vilnius.

Greece

The birthplace of democracy and cradle of Western civilisation, Athens overwhelms you with the splendour of its ancient treasures. Summer lingers in the land of the gods - making early autumn a balmy time to visit. Here the treasures of Rome, Byzantium and the Ottoman empire all jostle for your attention - presided over by the Parthenon-topped Acropolis - its white marble columns the ultimate expression of elegance and power. Athens dabbles its toes in the Aegean Sea - so a break from the city couldn’t be easier - just a short metro ride from the centre you can find golden sandy beaches, or even hop on a ferry taking you to one of over a thousand Greek islands.

Or, fly directly to Crete, the largest Greek island, basking in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Crete was home to the Minoans, who built the first advanced civilisation in Europe, 2000 years before Christ. Their legacy lives on in the remains of ancient palaces, frescoes and fine jewellery and pottery that have been found all over the island. Crete’s natural beauty - long sandy beaches, mountains, gorges and lush olive groves, have attracted many empires through the ages – here you’ll find Venetian and Ottoman traces layered upon each other - and sunning yourself with your toes in the Mediterranean, it’s not hard to understand what drew them here.

airBaltic flies from Riga to Athens and to Heraklion the biggest city on Crete. Organise your own trip to Crete, or take it easy with a package, including flight, accommodation and excursions, from Latvia’s leading tour operator Tez Tour.

Israel

Tel Aviv, Israels cultural and economic centre, is a city that loves to party - and its long sandy seafront is at the heart of the action. With at least eight separate beaches, stretching along the Mediterranean coast, you’ll have one for every night of the week - and still have one to spare. From the glassy skyscrapers and shady boulevards of Tel Aviv’s modern heart, you can travel back in time in mere minutes, visiting the ancient port of Jaffa, which is now part of Tel Aviv. But don’t just stop on the Mediterranean coast - Israel’s easy transport and compact size makes it perfect to explore - Jerusalem is just an hour’s drive away, and within a day you could be dabbling your toes in the Red Sea too, at the popular resort of Eilat.

airBaltic flies to Tel Aviv from Riga.

Turkey

Throughout the ages, whether known as Byzantium or Constantinople, Istanbul has always been one of the world’s great romantic cities. Straddling two continents, it really is the meeting point for East and West - and it makes a spicy mix. Try your haggling skills buying jewellery, fabrics and crafts in the Grand Bazaar, or take to the waters of the Bosphorus at night, for an unforgettable view of the Istanbul skyline.

Dalaman is the gateway to Turkey’s ‘Turquoise Coast’ - where the party in ever-popular Marmaris continues into the autumn. The resort sits on one of the world’s largest natural harbours, and is a favourite spot for sailing and all kinds of water sports. Venture out along the coast, and just a short trip away you can get back to nature visiting the protected nature reserve of Dalyan - where endangered Loggerhead Turtles nest, or visit the ruins of ancient Ephesus - the grandest of Turkey’s hundreds of classical sites.

airBaltic flies from Riga to Istanbul and Dalaman. Flights to Dalaman are also included in package holidays by tour operator Tez Tour.