For a classic autumn holiday of sun, sea and sand, there can be few more hospitable destinations than The Gambia. Flights to Banjul International Airport are a very do-able six hours and since there is no time difference, there is no jet-lag to spoil the start of your holiday. Set off in the morning and you could be sipping freshly mixed fruit cocktails before sun-down.

There are many very good hotels all along the coast with exemplary standards of cleanliness and unimpeachable service. Most are just a stroll away from a beach. And what beaches there are! Miles of near-white sand, fringed by tall swaying palm trees and separated by rocky outcrops. The bracing Atlantic sea can occasionally prove hazardous with strong tides and currents but most beaches are closely monitored and provide the international code of flags to warn of any changes in conditions.

Once October draws to a close, so does the rainy season. Then you can expect from eight to ten hours of sunshine every day, hovering above 30C, but constantly tempered with a refreshing breeze from the Atlantic. You'll find the beaches are surprisingly uncrowded in comparison to European countries but with plenty of scope for all the water sports you would expect nearer home. Most resorts are dotted with parasols and refreshments are served throughout the day. Spoil yourselves with delicious fresh local fruit, ice lollies and lavish cocktails.

Gambia is also a great country for sightseeing with many commercially organised tours to the interior available. As well as these, you will find official tourist guides near most hotels. These are mostly young people recruited locally and trained to operate as freelance guides, with a strict code of conduct, to help visitors enjoy a more in-depth experience of the country and its people.

For those looking for an alternative to a hotel holiday, there are plenty of self-catering apartments and lodges. But be warned, the best accomodation gets snapped-up early, so if The Gambia is the place for you this autumn, it's worth getting a move-on now.