Where to go on holiday in October

Where to go on holiday in October 2012 Turkey holidays October Seychelles in October

By Mark Hodson, Sunday Times Travel Writer and Editor of 101 Holidays

October is a great month to travel, particularly as the weather at home is getting so gloomy and winter is closing in. It’s the classic month for European city breaks, but it’s also a chance to catch the last of the sunshine in the Mediterranean – at bargain prices. There are also some great long-haul trip and UK holidays. These are our suggestions for where to go on holiday in October.

* If you are travelling with children, see our expert guide to family holidays in October half term.

Cheap holidays in October 2012

Mediterranean beach holidays in October

If you want to be sure of catching the last of the Mediterranean sun in October you’ll have to head south. You should be fine on the Aegean coast of Turkey – where you’ll find some great value boutique hotels, while Crete is usually a dead cert for fine weather.

North Cyprus combines a great autumn climate with bargain prices, as it is located outside the Eurozone. One of our favourite hotels there is the Pia Bella, just outside Kyrenia.

Puglia in the south of Italy stays warm for much longer into the season than the north. It has wonderful beaches and charming accommodation, and you’ll have the place to yourself as Italians rarely go on holiday outside the month of August.

We recommend villa holidays in Gozo – an island with a superb climate in October – and the marvellously laid-back Greek island of Paxos.

Corfu is a great destination for villa holidays, while Corsica has some lovely villas with pools, apartments and hotels and great special offers in October.

If you want to splash out, try the Verdura Golf & Spa Resort in Sicily. A great options for families is Sani Resort in Greece.

And if you want guaranteed sunshine and high temperatures, it’s only a 3-hour flight from the UK to Morocco where you’ll find exciting cities such as Marrakech, Taroudant and Casablanca which you can combine with beautiful beaches or the majestic Atlas Mountains. The south of the country offers amazing scenery and trips into the Sahara Desert.

About 4 hours flying time from the UK, the Canaries offer even more assured sunshine than the Mediterranean. We recommend the small unspoilt island of La Palma. If that’s too rustic for your tastes, check out the lovely Abama Golf & Spa Resort . in Tenerife.

So long as you avoid half term week you can find some great cheap holidays in October.

Short breaks in October

If you’re interested in a city break, October is a perfect time to make the trip. Airfares are off their summer peaks, mild temperatures are good for sightseeing and there are fewer crowds. Venice is the classic example. It gets horribly overcrowded in the peak months yet is more atmospheric and friendly in the autumn months. See our recommended hotels in Venice.

Istanbul, Cairo and Marrakech are other cities best seen off season – all amazing destinations but simply too hot in August.

Tunisia is best known for its beaches but the capital Tunis is one of the Med’s best holiday destinations in October. Its medina is fascinating, plus you can visit the seaside and astonishing Roman remains. In Croatia, Dubrovnik is a perfect spot to catch some late autumn sunshine.

Also in the Mediterranean, October is a great time for a city break in Sorrento on the Neopolitan coast of Italy, or Palma, the oft-overlooked capital of Mallorca. Rome is certainly worth a visit, and the majestic city of Seville is best seen when the heat of summer has passed on.

If you’re a sports fan, you could head to Paris for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. More details about horse-racing holidays. Or embrace your inner child at Disneyland Paris. See the latest special offers.

If you like your beer, head to Oktoberfest in Munich. There are several other great options in Germany including the Gothic splendour of Cologne and the fascinating mix of grandiose public spaces and street art in the capital Berlin.

Or cross the pond to New York for some sightseeing in the Fall and some early Christmas shopping. Hot hotels in the Big Apple include the calm boutique Sanctuary Hotel and the chic Ink48 in Hell’s Kitchen.

Short breaks are not just about cities. You could try a cycling holiday in France or a fascinating battlefield tour, perhaps learning about the D-Day Landings in Normandy.

And you don’t need to fly, of course. Hop on the Eurostar for a stress-free break in Paris, Brussels, Bruges or Amsterdam. You can even get to Venice by high-speed TGV with the option of an overnight stop in Switzerland.

If you want to venture further afield, Hong Kong is a great destination in October.

If you’re on a budget, you can book a homestay or rent an apartment directly from local people using an exciting new website, Wimdu. You will find accommodation from just £26 a night in cities including London, Edinburgh, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome, Istanbul and New York.

Another option in London is onefinestay, which offers short rentals of 250 upscale homes, from family houses in Hampstead to hip Soho apartments.

Feeling flush? For the ultimate short break, why not fly to France by private jet. If you get together with friends or family, a day trip to Paris starts at less than £1,000 per person. Or see a selection of or short breaks.

Please visit our sister site for 101 short break ideas.

beach holidays in October

Long haul holidays in October

You don’t need to fly too far to find great weather. October is one of the best months to visit Jordan where you can play Laurence of Arabia, exploring the vast desert landscapes of Wadi Rum and the Rose Red city of Petra, then relaxing on the shores of the Dead Sea. See the latest special offers to Jordan.

The Arabian Gulf is less than 7 hours away with near guaranteed sunshine. Dubai is the obvious choice for its amazing collection of hotels – many of them tourist sights in their own right – along with great attractions, beaches, shopping and exciting desert excursions. For a more laid-back, cultural affair, head to Oman where you can stay on gorgeous remote beaches where turtles lay their eggs.

A luxury cruise on the Nile is one of our top holiday suggestions for October. Combine it with a stay in the capital Cairo and you have the makings of a Classic Egypt holiday.

Africa awaits the adventurer. We recommend a safari in Botswana or a sensational tour of Namibia. If you want a combination of beach and wildlife you can’t do much better than Madagascar – a stunning island with unique wildlife. Independent travellers will enjoy this self-drive holiday of Cape Town and the Winelands. Or see Africa by foot, on a walking safari or on a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro.

If you’d rather lie back in a tropical paradise this is a great time to visit Mauritius or the Seychelles (check out the latest special offers). Meanwhile, the Maldives is perfect for beach holidays in October.

Although it’s a bit early to visit the Caribbean, The Bahamas are ideal in the autumn “shoulder” season of September to November. It’s a great destination for island-hopping, with exciting combinations such as Pineapple Fields on Eleuthera and Coral Sands Hotel on Harbour Island.

October can be a great month to visit North America. Explore at your own pace on a motor home holiday. Where to go? California has great weather, while Fall in New England brings out magnificent displays of autumn leaves.

Head to Las Vegas for sunshine and indulgence, or Miami for stylish hotels and beach. Or head north of the border to the Canadian Rockies where you could ride the spectacular Rocky Mountaineer or embark on a fly-drive holiday.

October is one of the best months to be in Nepal . The monsoon has just passed leaving clear skies and great temperatures for touring. You could do a gentle trek in the Himalayas, then visit ancient cities, temples and national parks. This 10-day tour is an ideal introduction.

It’s also a good time to visit Japan in the cool of the autumn. Soak up the stunning sights, sounds and smells of Tokyo before heading out to the countryside to explore. You could try a 14-day small group tour that combines the temples of Kyoto, the gardens of Kanazawa and the World Heritage shrines of Nikko.

October is a great time to visit the Galapagos Islands – one of the world’s most pristine destinations where you can get up close and personal with rare species of seals, birds and tortoises, and swim with turtles.

Find where is hot in October.

Holiday suggestions for October holidays October 2012

What about the UK?

There are plenty of places in the UK where you can hope to get decent weather and a cheap holiday in October. And even if it’s not scorching sunshine, there is plenty of gorgeous countryside to enjoy in autumn colours.

We recommend Gilpin Lodge in the Lake District, Maison Talbooth in Essex and Three Choirs Vineyards in Gloucestershire.

In the West Country, we like Hawke’s Point self-catering apartments close to St Ives and Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa. Plus you should check out Pentre Mawr Country House and the charming Fronlas boutique B&B in Wales.

On the coast of Suffolk The Wentworth Hotel is a gorgeous bolthole overlooking the beach at Aldeburgh, one of Britain’s prettiest seaside towns.

Jersey has a long season of sunshine. We recommend The Atlantic Hotel which has magnificent sea views, excellent facilities and regular special offers.

You could tour the Great Houses of England or choose from a great selection of small-group cultural tours of Britain led by an expert in art, music or architecture. Find out more from Martin Randall Travel.

It’s not too late for some autumn camping. Rather than take your chances with regular tents and sleeping bags, we recommend a trip to Feather Down Farms which has large luxury fixed tents with proper beds and wood-burning stoves at 20 working farms across the UK. Alternatively, try Country House Hideout which has luxury tents in the grounds of posh country houses.

Explore our full selection of UK holiday ideas.

Getting married? Find the best honeymoon destinations in October.

Try our holiday quiz

If you’re still stuck for ideas, why not try our fun holiday quiz. Answer 10 easy questions like the one below to find out what kind of holidaymaker you are, and get personalised travel recommendations. Try the quiz now.