Published on May 31, 2012 by Sophie McGovern
October in England can be a little glum. Shorter nights are closing in and the weather is nippy. For many, then, this is a great time to go on holiday.
If you are a sun seeker, the good news is that you can still enjoy a holiday in the sun without having to fly half way across the world. The Canary Islands, North Africa and Turkey are still enjoying fabulous sunshine at this time of year, as are southern parts of Italy, Malta and Gozo. As demand has dropped significantly since the summer, you should be able to find cheap flights and bargain accommodation prices.
October is also a popular time to escape England for a long weekend in a European city. A change of scenery can be just the ticket at this time of year, and there are so many interesting capitals to explore that you’ll be spoilt for choice.
For something traditional, a no fly holiday to Paris provides the perfect romantic break. Beautiful at any time of year, Paris is especially lovely in October when there are more locals than tourist in the back-street jazz bars and cafes, and the trees in the parks are turning auburn.
The cities of Eastern Europe are also great for a cheap holiday in October. Why not try something new and head to the Baltic states of Lithuania or Latvia? Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has developed a reputation for being one of the best kept secrets in Europe, and is a gorgeous city. Riga, Latvia’s capital, is also fast becoming one of the trendiest cities on the continent with its art nouveau architecture and world-class nightlife.
Anywhere outside the Eurozone will be cheaper, especially at this time of year. Low cost airlines have amazing October deals and you can enjoy off-peak accommodation prices.
For families, there are loads of great deals during October half term. This is a good time to take the kids to London, and you can get fantastic deals on train tickets and combined hotel and theatre deals.
Walking holidays are also popular, although the weather is obviously a bit of a gamble. Try Cornwall and Devon for the mildest weather, or head to the Lake District; anywhere that has an abundance of rainy day attractions is a safe bet.
For families, we would also recommend taking the Eurostar to Paris. Book Euro Disney tickets early and you can get an autumn bargain.
If you’ve got your heart set on something further afield but don’t have a huge budget, Morocco is a popular choice. Kids will love the change in culture, and the beach towns of the west coast are fun and exciting places to be with plenty of opportunity to chill out and relax.
