Posted on September 05, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard

1. Scotland: Free for All

Pick a day any day for a trip to Scotland and you’ll find free entry to hundreds of historic buildings that are usually closed to the public.  Take your pick from a range of sites, from fairytale castles and stately homes to fire stations, distilleries and theatres.  For a full list of days out, see http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/.

 Edinburgh Car Hire

2. Paris: Art illuminates the City of Light

September is a great time to visit France’s capital city as the weather is still pleasantly warm and the majority of visitors have returned to work/school/college.  This autumn the main event at Louvre will be an exhibition of works by Italian painter Mantegna.  The show opens on September 26 and runs until January 5 2009.  Meanwhile, the Grand Palais is hosting an exhibition of artwork by German painter Emil Nolde. 

Paris car hire from €23 per day*

3. Italy:  Dine out on Umbria’s Orvieto Feast

The Slow Food Festival (Orvieto con Gusto) takes place from September 29 to October 5 offering many tasting and eating events at the monastery of San Giovanni.  You’ll also find many of the town’s restaurants advertising special menus featuring traditional Umbria dishes. 

Perugia Airport Car Hire

4. Zaragoza:  Discover the World at Expo 2008

This is the final chance to see the display son offer at the 2008 Expo in Zaragoza.  Northern Spain’s Expo ends on September 14.  This year the Expo’s theme is water and sustainable development.  Around 140 pavilions were constructed along the river Ebra, some 20 minutes’ walk from the historic city centre. 

Car Hire Zaragoza 

5. Madrid: White Night

On September 13 the whole population of this party-loving city will stay up all night for the famous La Noche en Blanco.  Events will kick off at 9pm and last over 10 hours.  During the night there will be more than 150 activities and events, from live music and street performers to light shows and art exhibitions, including a tribute to local filmmaker Pedro Almodódar. 

 Car Hire Madrid

*Price quoted is based on the 7-day rental of a mini/economy-sized vehicle booked by September 17th 2008.�