With autumn in full swing and summer vacations already a long way off, are you in a gloomy mood? There's nothing like a trip to recharge your batteries. But where to go in October? Following on from our ideas for a long weekend away, here are a few ideas for getaways to get you back in the mood for autumn!
Where to go in October to get some sun?
If you're looking for sun, we recommend Greece, with its pleasant October climate and low autumn prices. Corfu, the largest island in the Ionian archipelago, is a real paradise, especially as there are far fewer tourists there in October than in summer. With its unspoilt nature, authentic villages and, above all, picture-postcard beaches such as Benitses and Agios Stefanos, there's plenty to keep you busy under the sun.
Known to many thanks to the sublime diva Cesaria Evora and a former Portuguese colony, Cape Verde has countless assets to satisfy every one of your travel and vacation wishes: hiking in Santo Antão or São Nicolau, but also in Santiago; lazing around or water sports in Sal and Boa Vista; climbing a dormant volcano in a landscape straight from another planet in Fogo... And October marks the end of the rainy season. Sunshine guaranteed!
The Var is another pleasant destination in October. This department of the PACA region boasts a multitude of seaside resorts, each with equally beautiful beaches, but often crowded and expensive in summer. In October, however, summer visitors have left the coast, and prices are lower. So it's time to visit the sublime beaches of Hyères, Le Lavandou or Bormes-les-Mimosas!
Where visit in october in Europe?
Rome is a very pleasant capital to discover in October, when the summer crowds have left. This city is an open-air museum with a collection of museums, churches, cathedrals, basilicas and the remains of Roman temples. A city of art and the art of living, it's easy to imagine vespas roaming its pedestrian streets, terraces sprawling across pretty squares. Rome is brimming with cafés, trattorie, fashion boutiques and artisan workshops in every district. Roman gastronomy has been elevated to the level of an art form, but it has retained its family character, reminiscent of meals at the mamma's house!
It's great to (re)discover Madrid under the October sun. And in the Spanish capital, you can enjoy an incredible wealth of culture. Here, art lovers will find it hard to choose between the impressive collections of the Prado and the Reina Sofía or the many foundations and alternative cultural centers that flood the contemporary scene. In the evenings, the countless terraces allow you to practice the art of tapear, a custom that consists of nibbling tapas in every bar in the district.
As the days begin to shorten, it's a good idea to discover Dublin in early October. This city has all the advantages of a European capital, with museums and an incredible cultural program, while retaining a human-scale atmosphere. In Dublin, everything can be done on foot. From the rather working-class North Bank to the more chic and touristy South Bank, the city has it all. Vibrant, warm and lively, Dublin has always attracted crowds. It's true that reading one of its great authors on a warm early evening in a pub is a delight. And what's more, when you dip your lips in your pint of Guinness, you'll hear a few chords of traditional music..
Where go to in october for cheap?
The beginning of October can still be pleasant in Krakow, Poland, which is one of our 15 destinations to go to in 2023 for cheap vacations. And no other Polish city contains so many historic monuments: thirty convents, fifty-eight medieval and Baroque churches, a cathedral and countless Renaissance palaces. And yet, Krakow, listed as one of the world's twelve most important architectural ensembles by Unesco in 1978, is easy to explore. Who could fail to be seduced by its cobbled, pedestrian streets? Krakow, a thousand-year-old city, boasts a flamboyant past.
TheAlgarve, a Portuguese paradise located at the southern tip of Europe and neighboring Andalusia, is constantly swept by the refreshing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The destination attracts increasing numbers of holidaymakers every year. Not surprising, given its many attractions! Especially when the golden sandy beaches of the Algarve, often crowded in summer, start to empty, and you can quietly discover the charms of this coastal land and its picturesque little towns and fishing villages. And to top it all off, there are plenty of great ways to travel in this region without breaking the bank.
Prague, the city of a thousand spires, has many faces: magical, romantic, bohemian, secretive... It's an ideal destination for a long weekend. The Czech capital will charm you with its intertwined little streets, magnificent colorful facades, squares and churches, all retracing centuries of existence. And the Czech capital is also full of good deals on cheap accommodation and fine dining.
Where visit in october in France ?
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mont-Saint-Michel is a sublime, must-see site that welcomes millions of visitors every year. Legend has it that it came into being after a huge tidal wave buried the surrounding land beneath the waters. If you can, make a note of the dates of the high tides in advance: the sight of the Mont surrounded by the waves is incredible. Atop the rock of Mont-Saint-Michel, the ancient Benedictine abbey rises to an altitude of over 150 m, with the spire of its abbey church. A visit to the abbey reveals a series of crypts, rooms, a remarkable cloister and an exceptional view of the bay. A great idea before trying out one of our 10 must-see experiences in France!
The Basque Country is also a good idea, as temperatures are still very pleasant in October and the sun is shining. With its 32 km of coastline, the Basque Country, one of our top destinations for vacations with children, is best known for its beautiful beaches and indented coastline. It's also a region of unspoilt nature, with coves, wild cliffs and authentic ports. Don't miss Anglet, the surfers' favorite resort that has managed to preserve its forest, and Biarritz, the region's famous seaside resort, which attracts visitors in search of beautiful beaches and urban life.
Where visit in october for a week ?
Salem, on the east coast of the United States, is an iconic place. The famous Witch Trials made this small town famous throughout the country. In 1692, three young women accused some of the town's citizens of bewitching them. The Salem Witch Trials resulted in the deaths of some twenty people and numerous incarcerations. Instead of wishing to forget this sad page in the history of Puritan America, the town of Salem has made it its main attraction. In the narrow streets of this port city, a dozen museums attract tourists from all over the United States every year. And the ideal time to take a break in Salem is undoubtedly during Halloween.
Egypt welcomes all who wish to discover its extraordinary monuments and sail down its legendary Nile. And if Egypt is a land of history, it's also a diving destination, since Egypt and the Red Sea are renowned the world over for their coral reefs. Although some areas are not recommended, there's no need to worry about anything else. Egyptians are as friendly as ever, eager to share their country's rich heritage, its turquoise waters and white sand, its string of oases and biblical mountains.
Mauritius is, of course, above all, a sublime coastline. A coastline of white sand and coconut palms, bordered by an immense lagoon protected by a coral reef... Mauritius has a lot to offer beach lovers. If the island attracts travelers for the beauty of its coastline, how can we not also mention the quality of its lifestyle, the friendliness of its inhabitants, its deliciously mixed cuisine and its dozens of leisure activities? See you in October!
Where to the sun in October ?
Visiting Marrakech in autumn sunshine is absolutely ideal. And the city's recipe for contrasting tradition and modernity works just as well as ever: life in the medina, artisans and water vendors, the ballet of horse-drawn carriages, sophisticated bars and clubs, golf courses, spas and prestigious shopping addresses. What's more, Marrakech's climate, its flamboyant colors under the sun, its palaces, its gastronomy, the snowy backdrop of the Atlas Mountains and its mythical Jemaa el-Fnaa leave no one indifferent, while inexpensive addresses are legion throughout the Red City.
Another budget-friendly option: Tunis and the surrounding area. Historic Tunis also has much to fascinate: the exceptional life of the medina, its alleys dotted with cries and colors, the aromas of the central market... Once the granary of Rome, Tunis and the surrounding region remain a treasure trove for gourmets. Archaeological sites, vineyards, shopping, thalassotherapy and gastronomy. The mix of Berber, Roman, Arab, Andalusian, French and Italian cultures will delight epicureans! And, in the immediate vicinity of Tunis, from the port of La Goulette, via Carthage, Sidi Bou Saïd and its Café des Délices, to the beaches of Gammarth: the 25 km coastline of Carthage offers every conceivable seaside and vacation pleasure.
In October in Cyprus, sunshine is guaranteed! With 330 days of sunshine a year, the sea, 500 km of coastline, an impressive range of hotels and an effective promotional policy that guarantees low prices all year round, the island of Aphrodite is a bright and reassuring haven with serious arguments to make!
Where to go in October for a breath of fresh air?
Head for Liguria, Italy, for a hike in the magnificent Cinque Terre region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Like fingers on a hand, the five villages are linked together, from hill to hill, by a dense network of paths that weave their way through the maquis, above an intensely blue sea. Even if you're not a great walker, covering at least one section of this itinerary is a must if you want to capture the spirit of these thousand-year-old lands. Make sure you bring walking shoes, water and a hat, because in September the sun is still beating down on Italy!
In the heart of Central America, Costa Rica is also a dream destination for nature lovers. Bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and criss-crossed by impressive mountains, the country is renowned for its magnificent tropical forests and prodigious natural beauty, which is said to contain 5% of the planet's biodiversity. With its fascinating volcanoes, lush jungles, crystal-clear beaches and rivers with sublime waterfalls, Costa Rica has everything to offer visitors a pura vida, two warm words that have become the country's motto.
Where to go in October for a cultural or festive city trip?
To celebrate Halloween in style on October 31, we suggest you fly to Scotland, where the country's tourist office has set up a ghost trail, because it's well known that there's no shortage of haunted places in Scotland! You'll be able to explore various towns with castles, cathedrals and old mansions inhabited by spirits with terrifying stories. A total of 15 ghosts await you in towns across the country!
If you're a culture buff, we recommend a visit to Coimbra in Portugal. With its medieval style, it's one of the country's most beautiful cities. It boasts a fine historical heritage and one of Europe's oldest universities, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its immense architectural value. Coimbra also boasts a multitude of cathedrals, churches and convents built over the centuries. Last but not least, don't miss an evening Fado show in Coimbra's historic center - it's always a highlight!
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is another ideal destination for a break! In October, the weather is still mild and the city is very pleasant to visit. You'll love strolling through the cobbled streets of its historic center, visiting its superb Cathedral of the Dome, taking a boat trip on the Daugava before feasting in one of Vecriga's many inexpensive bars.
Where to go in October for a family vacation?
For one last chance to enjoy the mild temperatures of Indian summer, we invite you to visit Budapest, another of our favorite family vacation destinations. Nicknamed the Pearl of the Danube, it offers many exceptional sites and remains a very affordable European destination. You'll have the chance to explore 500-year-old Turkish baths, breathtaking Art Nouveau buildings, Europe's largest synagogue, one of the continent's oldest metro lines, a superb parliament, and cinemas worthy of Rajasthani palaces, all imbued with a delicate aristocratic patina. Epicureans will also delight in the specialties of the new Magyar cuisine, accompanied by the finest Hungarian wines. Afterwards, you can step back in time by visiting one of the famous cafés frequented by the great intellectuals of the last century.
Finally, to satisfy your craving for the exotic, we recommend Barbados in October. This Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles will be your paradise at the end of the world. Discover its beautiful beaches and visit its magnificent botanical gardens, without forgetting to soak up the sun!
Now that you've got enough travel ideas for October, check out our next article to find out where to go in November.
