October conjures up images of harvesting and fiery backdrops of leaves turning from shades of green to shades of fire. You can take your cultural pick when it comes to experiencing a luxury holiday in October, whether near or far. Short-haul options include the Italian region of Tuscany, whose wine and olive harvests are embraced by the incredible scenery and unforgettable yellow-hued sunsets at the end of sunny days, while western Portugal offers visitors the magnificent verdant valley scenery of the Douro Valley, where acres of grapevines are picked for their luscious fruit and nearby Porto provides the culture, architecture, world-class cuisine and delicious port wine.
Further afield, experience the iconic Falls scenery of New England or go west to the valleys of Napa and Sonoma in California to be part of the ‘Crush Season’ harvest and enjoy incredible Californian cuisine and wine.
By contrast, you can head to South America to enjoy the springtime attractions of Argentina’s astoundingly beautiful Lake District, including Bariloche, while Brazil’s Pantanal continues to offer a great option for outdoor adventure and unique landscapes. Off the west coast, the incredible Galapagos Islands are replete with new life to discover in the form of seal pups and Blue-Footed Booby chicks.
If the sun is your main motivation for a luxury holiday, especially an October Half Term holiday with the family, we suggest Crete, Cyprus or Marrakech, which all offer late-season sunshine. Further afield, look to Dubai for half term fun and a multitude of activities for all the family or the Indian Ocean islands of the Seychelles, popular for its abundant wildlife activity, or Mauritius, which offers lovely dry weather.