Where is it hot in October? The best vacation destinations for fall sunshine and when the midterm break is
It’s time to plan your next vacation. With summer on the fast start and days getting shorter, booking in sunny October will offer something to look forward to during busy school days and the gloom of a British winter.
There are plenty of great value options for warming up in October, including mid-term school holidays – and, if you want to indulge, a few splashy alternatives.
We’ve looked at the maximum temperatures in southern European destinations in October and found some suggestions below.
Mid-term breaks differ between regions of the UK, so we’ve included options that work throughout the month. All prices were correct at the time of writing.
But first, here are the dates to remember if you’re traveling with school-aged children:
England and Wales
Most schools will separate for midterm on October 21 and return to class on October 31. Dates may vary by council, so check details for your area on gov.uk.
Scotland
The October school holidays in Scotland fall between the ages of 17 and 28 for many children. Some councils have a one-week break, others two weeks: visit mygov.scot to find the contact details of the school concerned.
North Ireland
School children in Northern Ireland do not have as much free time as in other parts of the UK. Expected school holiday dates are shown on Northern Ireland Ministry of Education website.
Where is it hot in October?
Europe
Lanzarote, Spain
Maximum temperature: 26.8ºC (based on UK Met Office figures)
The northernmost Canary Island, a biosphere reserve, offers a spectacular, volcanic backdrop for a fly-and-flop break – with plenty of opportunities for a little adventure. Beginners on the island should imagine beaches with black and golden sand, deep blue sea with rings of turquoise near the shore. You can choose to spend the precious hours of autumn sunshine by a hotel pool, but there are plenty of quirky spots when you’re ready to venture a little further afield. The creations of César Manrique are among the strong points of Lanzarote. Take the cactus garden: his last great work includes 4,500 specimens of some 500 species and comes from five continents. Its spiky collection is well suited to the backdrop of mini peaks and squat white village squares below. Another treasure is the Timanfaya National Park with its overabundance of craters.
EasyJet Holidays, Jet2 Holidays and Tui are among the operators offering packages to Lanzarote. EasyJet is offering a seven-night stay for two adults and one child sharing a Barcelo Lanzarote Active Resort room, which includes a children’s pool and kids’ clubs, from £800 pp, including return flights from Bristol. Leaving on October 22, easyJet.com.
Cyprus
Maximum temperature: 26.7°C
Cyprus has one of the warmest climates in Europe, with October still comfortably mild. Choose between the Turkish-ruled north or the Republic of Cyprus in the south. Both parts of the island have an attractive selection of beaches. Among those to the south is the tranquil Santa Barbara, which has sandy and rocky areas and clean water ideal for swimming or snorkeling: it includes an artificial reef. In addition, Santa Barbara is close to the archaeological site of Amathunta whose history dates back to 1100 BC. Walk near the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite and imagine the series of civilizations that have followed your path over the past centuries. If you opt for Northern Cyprus, you will find a long public beach in Alagadi. Sit here to watch the sun set or rise over the five peaks of Beşparmak Mountain.
Thomas Cook, First Choice, Jet2, Tui and EasyJet Holidays all offer package holidays to Cyprus. Stay in a family room, with two adults and two children under 17 sharing at the Leonardo Laura Beach and Splash Resort in Paphos with Tui. From £713 pp including return flights Glasgow, tui.co.uk.
Algarve, Portugal
Maximum temperature: 23.2°C
October in the Algarve is far from hot, expect high temperatures of around 23°C. The jagged half-triangle of Portugal’s south coast is no secret to British holidaymakers. There are many reasons for its popularity, of course – from the sea stacks surrounding its beaches to cheap breaks. Between swimming in the Atlantic and the plates of Petiscos, you can make the most of the autumnal climate and walk the many hiking trails in the region. Mediterranean scrubland, dunes and oak forests give character to these routes. Add one or more historic cities to your vacation calendar. Among the most rewarding is Olhão, with whitewashed houses, domed turrets and a harbor full of colorful fishing boats.
Most of the major operators offer packages in the area, including Thomas Cook, British Airways Holidays, EasyJet Holidays, Tui and Jet 2. British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at the Pedras del Rei Hotel in Tavira from £414.50 per person, based on two adults and two. children sharing, including flights. Leaving October 17, britishairways.com.
Roma, Italy
Maximum temperature: 22.4°C
October in Rome might not be warm (bringing a light jacket will be a good idea), but going from the Colosseum to the Parthenon, the Vatican and the city’s many museums is a bit more comfortable in October. You also have to avoid the worst of the crowds, which means those extra minutes of queuing can be spent snacking on ice cream while people watch in Piazza della Rotonda or enjoying a multi-course meal of cheese. , pasta and a little more cheese washed down with a reasonably priced espresso.
It’s easy to get low-cost flights to Rome, although prices go up halfway through the term. Families planning a long weekend over the October holidays will find returns from around £96 with Vueling, Ryanair and Wizz Air, departing October 22 and returning the following Wednesday. However, if you don’t have school-age children, you can fly a week or two earlier and save around £60 (October 8-12, £35, ryanair.com). There are plenty of rooms among Rome’s hotels, shops, and Airbnbs.
Other options: Kos, Greece (maximum temperature: 26°C); Gran Canaria (26.4°C)
Somewhere else
Cancun, Mexico
Maximum temperature: 32.9°C
If you crave some good heat and have a little more to spend, Cancun will deliver. The temperature is around 30°C all year round. With a 6,200 mile long coastline, a collection of archaeological sites, golf courses and diving areas, you can stay horizontal with a cocktail in hand for a week or add a little more activity. Among its all-inclusive hotels, you’ll find options suitable for families, couples, groups of friends and solo stays. Consider a trip to Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The site is divided into Old Chichen and Chichen Itza, with a total of 16 Mayan ruins to be seen at the site. The pyramid of Chichen Itza and El Castillo are the most photographed places.
First Choice, Virgin Atlantic, Tui, British Airways Holiday and Thomas Cook are among the UK operators offering trips to Cancun. First Choice is offering a seven-night break at Cancun Bay Resort in a double room with two double beds for £1,337 pp, including return flights from London Heathrow. Leaving on October 22, firstchoice.co.uk.
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
Maximum temperature: 28°C
Scuba divers, sun worshipers and extreme sports enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in Sharm El Sheikh. The beaches and the sea are warm all year round. Choose from 30 different sites on a full-day snorkeling trip from the resort—or stay local. Wrecks, reefs and colorful corals are all nearby, with a mix that caters to novices and experts alike. You can even sign up for your first PADI course. Shark’s Bay also offers areas to swim or snorkel among parrotfish, puffer fish and more. Many hotels have piers from which you can easily launch into the water. Driving a quad on the dunes of the Sinai desert or bartering gifts in a bazaar are also on the menu.
Many of the biggest holiday providers offer holidays to Sharm el-Sheikh, from Tui to Thomas Cook. For those willing to spend a bit more, On the Beach offers a seven-night stay at the five-star Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh, which features an outdoor pool complex, kids’ club and live entertainment. . From £4,160 for two adults and two children sharing a room, including return flights from Bristol. Leaving on October 19, onthebeach.co.uk.
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