Our Top 10 October Holiday Destinations
October holidays may be popular for families with kids having a cheeky week off school but who says it can’t be half term for everyone? Whether you’re 8 or 80, we’ve got the ideal trip. If you’re looking for inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.
We love an autumn getaway – it feels like the right time to revive our flagging souls as summer has well and truly gone and we all know there’s the long dark days and nights of winter ahead. Taking a break between now and the end of the year keeps our spirits up and can boost our mood ahead of the pre-Christmas rush. It also just feels way too long to wait until next summer to give our suitcases an outing.
You don’t have to go far either as there’s some exciting ideas for a holiday on home turf but we suspect most of you would sooner grab your passports and jet off abroad. We’ve put together some of the best holidays for October – home and away!
Our top five European destinations for this autumn could see you catching some sunshine in the Greek island of Santorini, Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Spain and the ever-popular Canary Islands. Or, if the fresh mountain air and dramatic scenery appeal to you, you could be blowing off the cobwebs by the shores of Lake Garda in northern Italy.
Our top 5 European destinations are:
Santorini
Loveholidays have some great package deals on this stunning island and with prices around £400 and under, a week in this beautiful spot is the perfect choice if blue skies and dreamy views are the order of the day.
Take a look at some of these pocket friendly prices on October holidays.
Or if you want to splash the cash a bit and fancy something more luxurious, check out the gorgeous five star properties in Santorini.
Amalfi Coast
If an Italian adventure is on the cards, the best of the weather can be found on the southern shores of bella Italia. The glamorous Amalfi coast will dazzle you with its breath-taking scenery, pretty towns and romantic atmosphere. This is also an ideal spot for lovers of authentic Italian food and you can be sure of a warm welcome from the friendly locals too.
Thomson have some great October deals and one of the most popular spots in the area is the Hotel Excelsior. This traditional, small and friendly hotel enjoys stunning views for its hilltop location.
On the Beach have some lovely hotels on offer for the Amalfi coast too and another beauty which has beautiful sea views is The Hotel Marina Riviera. Guests can enjoy the great central location too, being very close to the town centre and the beach.
Canary Islands
The Canaries are very often the ‘go-to’ year-round destination and it’s easy to see why. These sun kissed Spanish islands have been popular for out of season holidays for years and Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote offer something for everyone in terms of nightlife, family activities and virtually guaranteed sunshine no matter when you go.
Occidental Jandia Mar, Fuerteventura – Overlooking the beach, this cracking four-star hotel has a full range of day and night activities, a spa and a choice of inviting pools to cool off in. This hotel offers all-inclusive packages which is a great option, especially if you have kids. Those ice creams and drinks all mount up!
Jet2holidays have a huge selection of hotels and apartments in the Canaries, take a look and pick the best one for you.
Costa del Sol
The upmarket marina of Puerto Banus is jam packed with super yachts and beautiful people and you could be enjoying some glitz and glamour in this millionaires’ playground this autumn. On Spain’s Costa del Sol, Puerto Banus is perfect if you like a touch of the high life in atmospheric beach bars, designer shops and super cool night clubs
To be in the heart of the action, try these great properties within walking distance of the world-famous port.
Flights to Malaga are readily available with EasyJet among many other airlines.
Lake Garda
If you’re looking for somewhere more serene and laid back this autumn, you should give Lake Garda a whirl. Lake Garda is a stunning destination in northern Italy packed with medieval villages, quaint towns and jaw dropping scenery. It’s very family friendly and the clientele consists of couples, families, singles, and seniors. The area is also popular with walkers and outdoor enthusiasts and it’s also close enough to the romantic city of Verona if you fancy a bit of retail therapy in the designer boutiques and lively market stalls.
Inghams, the lakes and mountain specialists have some tempting package deals leaving in October. Choose from delightful resorts such as Sirmione, Desenzano and Bardolino.
If you can’t be bothered going overseas, fear not. We have some great ideas for a few days away in the UK. There’s so many vibrant places to choose from.
Our top 5 UK destinations are:
London
The British Capital is a favourite for visitors from all over the world, particularly in London’s Theatreland where some of the biggest and best shows in the world are gracing the West End stages.
A cultural hotspot, London has a fabulous choice of theatres and music venues and what better way to let your hair down than a toe-tapping, showstopper?
In the heart of Theatreland you’ll find performances for all the family. The current programme of hit musicals includes 42nd Street, Wicked, Disney’s Aladdin, Annie and An American in Paris as well as West End staples and long runners Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, The Lion King and many, many more. Grab yourself a west end theatre break package deal with some of our travel partners and paint the town red in London this autumn.
Blackpool
Blackpool has been the north of England’s hotspot for donkey’s years and this traditional seaside resort has everything you can think of for a fun family break. You can pop into one of the amusement piers along the famous Golden Mile and try your luck on the slot machines or, for the more adventurous among you, there’s thrills and spills and all the fun of the fair at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort and Nickelodeon Land. There’s always great entertainment lined up for visitors to Blackpool too. Why not take in a glitzy cabaret show or check out the famous Blackpool Illuminations this autumn. Perfect for October half term!
- The Big Blue Hotel is a great choice for families and sits right at the heart of the action.
The Norbeck Castle is right on the beach on the North Shore and is ideally located for all of the town’s main attractions.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
If you’re lucky with the weather, there’s no prettier spot to recharge your batteries and restore calm to your life than the picture postcard scenery of Loch Lomond. It’s just magical.
Spending a few days, or even a few hours in the area around this magnificent Loch is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of modern day life.
The Lodge on Loch Lomond hotel is in the pretty hamlet of Luss offers spectacular views and sits right on the water’s edge.
If you’re after some real luxury and feel like pushing the boat out, Cameron House is the place to be.
Jersey
The Channel island of Jersey is located around 100 miles (160km) south of mainland Britain and just 14 miles (22 km) from the coast of France. A compact island of stunning coastline, golden, sandy beaches and rich landscapes is just waiting to be discovered. With British and French influences making up the vibe of this cool island it could be the place to go this October. Don’t miss these late deals from Jersey Travel Service.
The Lakes
The Lake District National Park, or ‘The Lakes’ as it’s affectionately known, lies in the county of Cumbria in northwest England. The phrase ‘chill-out’ could have been coined with this place in mind, The Lakes offer a haven of peace and tranquillity – ideal if you want to just leave your troubles behind and head off to the pretty towns of Grasmere, Ullswater and Windermere.
Macdonald Hotels have some autumn breaks on offer right now in their hotels within all three of these towns.
We hope we’ve given you some inspiration for your October break and don’t forget to tell us where you end up going. We love hearing about you trips and it’s always great to get your expert recommendations on a place such as where to eat, what to do, travel tips etc.