August is a strange month - parliament is in recess, the weather is kind of deciding whether to continue as summer or make the move into colder days, and the whole world feels slightly as if it's in a pre-Autumn limbo, where things aren't quite summer anymore but a real season is yet to take summer's place.

In short - it's the perfect time to take a short break. Much as winter holidays can be fun, there is a mildness to the weather at this time of year that is truly special, and if like me you're not a great fan of high summer, it's ideal.

I'm loving this Fall In Amsterdam photos page - and there are some great pics n Flickr - here are the results when you type in Autumn and Amsterdam to the search field. Nice! Although it's giving me strong Amsterdam pinings so maybe I need to get on with something else instead of poring over photos of golden leaves and glinting waterways.

Of course, short breaks away don't need to be in Autumn, it would be a bit different and very exciting to try out some New Years Eve breaks- but for me Autumn is a special kind of time for a trip abroad- epecially to a city as magical as Amsterdam.