Best Places for October Half Term Family Holidays
If you are looking for a family adventure this October half term, we hope our recommendations for great ‘week away’ destinations will inspire you.
Explore behind the glitz of Dubai
Where: Dubai
Flight time from the UK: 7 hours
We all know that Dubai is a list of superlatives, the biggest, the newest, the fastest, but behind all of this you can explore its quieter side.
Explore the desert on a 4x4 adventure and spend the night at a Bedouin camp. Maybe not quieter, but certainly still fun, Dubai Creek has a vibe that gives a glimpse into a more authentic life in the Middle East, jump on the Dhow with the locals to experience both sides of the river. You can find more exciting things to do with your little adventurers in our blog What to do in Dubai with Children.
Seal spotting on the beaches of Vik.
Where: Iceland
Flight time from the UK: 3 hours
Autumn is arguably one of the best times to visit Iceland, you miss the crowds of the summer, the temperatures are a little more balmy than the freezing winter temperatures and there are enough hours of daylight still that you don’t have to worry about how you will cram everything in.
High on everyone’s list in Iceland is the chance to see the remarkable Northern Lights. As the weather becomes crisper and the clouds in the sky you have a good chance of seeing the lights without the freezing temperatures of winter.
If you want the opportunity to spot Icelandic seals and Orc whales Black DIamond beach with its dazzling Icebergs is worth a visit to see these giant phenomenon.
Island hopping in the Adriatic
Where: Greek Islands
Flight time from the UK: 3 hours 40 minutes
With warmer temperatures than some of its European counterparts Greece makes for a pleasant stay in October. The warmest weather can be found in the southernmost islands of the Dodecanese and the Cyclades. The best way to experience the islands is on a small private tour, this way you are guaranteed to avoid the crowds and see the things that are most important to you. Many of the islands have a nice mix of beaches, mountain villages and ancient ruins. This means that if the weather is slightly mixed for any reason there is always something to keep little ones entertained. It is also a great way to keep the little ones entertained as many of these islands wouldn’t provide a week of activities.
Awe-inspiring Petra
Where: Jordan
Flight time from the UK: 5 hours
With no shortage of ancient temples to visit Jordan provides an educational holiday without children realising it. With the scorching summer temperatures now cooling down, autumn is a lovely time to visit the country. The dead sea (the lowest point on earth) is a lovely 26 degrees still and a unique must do on a family holiday to Jordan. Our tip for this would be to make sure that children wear their goggles or masks because as they splash in to the sea those little eyes will sting with the water.
To embrace the more responsible side of travel, a stay in an eco camp in Wadi Rum will give a great opportunity to make friends with the locals and the best view of the night sky your children have probably ever seen.
Learn to Flamenco in Seville
Where: Spain
Flight time from the UK: 2 hours 45 minutes
A less popular destination for October, is Seville, the evenings are warm and the crowds are less than the summer months. With a short flight time from the UK it makes for a pleasant little break. We have combined Seville with some other destinations to make a week long itinerary containing some activities that will keep your little ones learning new things.
Make a splash in Cyprus
Where: Cyprus
Flight time from the UK: 4 hours 30 minutes
Cyprus has some lovely temperatures at the end of October and is a great place to get out and about and explore on your own. The beautiful mountain villages are so welcoming of children and we found some lovely hidden cafes and boat trips that show you the island that we would be only too happy to share. The sea is still warm enough to swim in and the coastline is full of family friendly beaches.
Celebrate Halloween at Tivoli Gardens
Where: Denmark
Flight time from the UK: 1 hour 45 minutes
Popular during the summer months and for the Christmas markets, the end of October makes for a chance to experience the city away from the crowds and before the really cold winter temperatures. From mid - October to the start of November Tivoli Gardens is transformed into a bewitching scene of ghosts, spiders and witches; making this even more of a fun destination. To get outside of the city there are several day trips that you can do from Copenhagen.
Stargaze at Wahiba Sands
Where: Oman
Flight time from the UK: 7 hours
Glamping is becoming more popular the world over and on the edge of the desert in Oman, a 3 hour drive from Muscat you will find Wahiba Sands. A luxe camp of Bedouin tents, where light pollution doesn’t dim the stars, so you get a great view as the sun goes down. You can also take advantage of the many other desert activities on offer, from camel trekking to tear around the sand dunes on a 4x4. Back closer to Muscat you can spend your days haggling in the famous souks, spotting dolphins during a boat trip or visiting the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Discover the secrets of Sintra
Where: Portugal
Flight time from the UK: 3 hours
With temperatures still in the low 20 degrees, it might still be warm enough to enjoy the beaches of Portugal, but it will be perfect weather to explore the magnificent castles of Sintra. Without having to fly for too long, which is something that might be more appealing this year, you could take advantage of the smaller crowds and explore the city. Which little one wouldn’t love to ride the famous yellow tram.
Explore the Atlas mountains
Where: Morocco
Flight time from the UK: 3 hours 40 minutes
There is so much more to Morocco than Marrakech. Whilst haggling in the souk and seeing the bustling markets of the main square are all really exciting and a great part of any trip to Morocco. If you want to explore further afield there are 3 great festivals held in October, there is a music festival held in the coastal city of Essaouira, which might not coincide with the dates for your half term, but held at the end of October are the festivals of Taragalte, celebrating nomadic culture, heritage and music. Also, the date festival held in Erfoud celebrates the end of the harvest with local music, dancing, camel racing and lots of other fun activities for children to get involved in.
We would love to help you plan your next adventure. If you have any questions or would like a personalised quotation please get in touch with us at 0118 336 0363 or info@littlepeoplebigadventures.com