October
All Months
October
If you know you want to get away in October, but you’re not sure what your options are, read on to discover our top suggestions for the month, or alternatively scroll down for a range of destinations which are ideal for visiting at this time of year.
Oman – the perfect spot for a half term family escape or simply an autumn adventure, the decline of the searing heat of the summer months makes now a delightful time to soak up the warmth of the coast, desert and mountains where the autumn harvest is beginning.
Nepal – with the rains over, clear blue skies, crisp air and clear views are the order of the day. The dry weather makes trekking easier and the lush, renewed landscapes, following the monsoon are a thing of fantasy for keen photographers.
India – not only is the country verdant green after the rainy season, October is also the month when Diwali (Festival of Light) is celebrated. The country’s biggest festival sees millions of diyas (candles) lit across the land with dazzling firework displays illuminating the sky to celebrate.
Mexico – the end of the month sees the mystical festival of the Day of the Dead, or El Día de Muertos, celebrated all over Mexico. Revellers in fancy dress, spill onto the streets, their faces cleverly made up to resemble skulls, to rouse and celebrate the dead.
Our Picks for October
Zambia
Zambia is mainly situated on a vast plateau 3,000m above sea level, and boasts the Zambezi, Kafue and Luangwa rivers – as well as one of the largest waterfalls in the world, the Victoria Falls, which it shares with neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa known for its dramatic landscape, the majestic Victoria Falls and extraordinarily diverse wildlife, much of it within parks, reserves and safari areas.
Kenya
Kenya is widely regarded as the home of the safari. Steeped in tradition and fame it was Ernest Hemingway who immortalised the safari experience (although sporting and not photographic), and Joy Adamson was among the group of expatriates in the 1960s and 1970s whose endeavours to conserve African wildlife captured the world’s attention. The writings of Karen Blixen, and the adaptation of her classic book “Out of Africa” into a motion picture helped establish Kenya as the great iconic safari destination of the modern era.
Botswana
With an area of almost 600,000 sq kms, Botswana is virtually the same size as France or Texas. Situated in the centre of southern Africa, it is a landlocked country, with Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe as its immediate neighbours.
Madagascar
Madagascar is a large island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa, where people have lived for over 2,000 years. It is the world’s fourth largest island, boasting 5,000 kilometres of coast and a current population of twenty-five million, split between 18 ethnic groups and a multiplicity of social sub-groups.
Morocco
Morocco has been staunchly independent throughout its history yet remained open to ideas, creating a heady mix of cultures, religions and languages with ancient roots and a strikingly modern outlook.
Mozambique
After recovering from many years of civil war, Mozambique opened its doors to tourism and is fast becoming the hottest beach destination in Africa. With an enviable position between Tanzania in the north, Malawi and Zambia in the northwest and South Africa to the south, Mozambique has become the perfect compliment to any African safari.
Republic of Congo
Boasting seemingly endless tropical forest and fingers of moist savannah covering its interior, the Republic of Congo holds the majority of the world population of western lowland gorillas. Its largely pristine northern rainforest is the heart of the Congo Basin, the world’s second largest expanse of tropical rainforest.
Tanzania
With highlights such as Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar, Tanzania is, for many, the ultimate safari destination. With National Parks and game reserves covering some 33,660 sq kms or 28% of the country, Tanzania has more land devoted to wildlife than anywhere else in the world.
Malaysia
Malaysia is a destination full of surprises. A bustling melting pot of traditions and religions where Malays, Indians, Chinese and many other ethnic groups influence its rich and vibrant culture.
Thailand
Far more than its celebrated idealistic beaches, Thailand is known as The Land of Smiles thanks to its warm people. This mythical nation accommodates a diverse assortment of ancient temples; buzzing, frenetic cities and its infamous cuisine.
Oman
With breathtaking scenery, excellent hospitality and impeccable service, the Sultanate of Oman is an ideal option for holidays of all types.
United Arab Emirates
A destination of unparalleled diversity with a variety of exciting attractions to discover, the UAE is an ideal setting for cultural and active pursuits.
Jordan
Jordan is a land steeped in history. It has been home to some of mankind’s earliest settlements and villages, and relics of many of the worlds great civilizations can still be seen today.
Mauritius
Mauritius is a fascinating, world-in-one island slice of paradise. Its very name conjures up images of tropical luxury and stupendous extravagance.
Seychelles
Off the east coast of Africa lies a cluster of 115 islands, together making up the Republic of the Seychelles. This cluster truly seems to epitomise the expression ‘tropical island paradise’; pristine soft white sands on coconut fringed beaches lie adjacent to the brilliant underwater shapes and colours of the coral atolls while above them rise granite peaks shrouded in verdant mountaintop forests.
Bhutan
With a sophisticated and well preserved culture, the Kingdom of Bhutan has a draw like few others. Images of a country can often mislead – glamorous films, angled photography or old pictures. Bhutan, however, doesn’t disappoint.
Nepal
The remote mountain Kingdom of Nepal contains more of the world’s highest mountains than any other country and is dominated by the soaring snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas.
Tibet
Seated on a plateau at an altitude of more than 4,000 metres, Tibet is quite befittingly called the Roof of the World. It is also home to other impressive superlatives, such as the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest and deepest canyon, the Yarlung Zangbo Canyon. Home to almost three million people, Tibet forms the border China shares with several countries, including Myanmar, India, Bhutan, and Nepal.
South Australia
South Australia offers great diversity with lots to offer the adventurous traveller – Kangaroo Island is buffeted by the waves of the Southern Ocean and boasts a wildlife population protected from the predations of introduced species. It is the gateway to the Outback, the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island – all stunning locations with a focus on wildlife – and also to some of the country’s most famous wine regions.
Tasmania
Tasmania was the last part of the Australian continent to separate from the great southern landmass of Gondwana 45 million years ago. This, together with 10,000 years of isolation from mainland Australia, has resulted in Tasmania’s environment being significantly different to the rest of the country.
Victoria
Melbourne offers the traveller a year round program of festivals, major art exhibitions and theatrical events.
Western Australia
Western Australia is full of sun, wide open space, and friendly people – it is a great place for a relaxing holiday and a great place to experience some rather special natural attractions.
New South Wales
For many travellers Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is the starting point of their Australian experience. Sydney is a vibrant multi-cultural city that hugs the shores of a very beautiful harbour, making sightseeing by private yacht, launch or even on a ferry a particular pleasure.
New Zealand
New Zealand is a small country, similar in size to Great Britain or Japan and with a population of only four million, it’s also gloriously uncrowded.
Argentina
Argentina is a country of extreme contrasts and a holiday here can combine snow-capped mountains tumbling into glacial waters with scorched deserts and tropical rainforest.
Brazil
It is almost impossible not to fall in love with the colour and culture of this vibrant country. This is the place to come when you need a reminder that it’s the simple things in life that make us truly happy. The gentle beat of samba music; fresh fish pulled straight from the ocean and onto your plate (eaten with your fingers); warm, white sand under bare feet on an abandoned beach – no fancy deckchairs just you and the crashing waves of the Atlantic.