Ideas for October Half Term
If you have school age children, then October half term is the last chance to get away and enjoy some sun before autumn and winter kicks in – and so is a very popular time to get away – particularly this year when the weather in August in the Uk has been so grim. This means that flights - especially for the key dates - do get booked up very quickly, so it’s well worth booking as early as possible. There are some excellent discounts and offers for October too – which the resorts often withdraw as the departure date gets closer – another reason to book as soon as possible.
In terms of destinations, for a good choice of shorthaul sun, we'd recommend the Canaries, Cyprus, North Africa, Egypt, Greece, Portugal, Turkey. All generally have warm weather in late October, with perhaps the least variable being the Canaries, Cyprus, North Africa and Turkey (av 25C in Oct) and the more variable being Portugal and the other Med destinations eg Italy, Spain and the Balearics, France.
All the popular Med destinations have much to offer for half term however, especially those with a cultural /sightseeing element which can be combined with some beach time if the weather is good – such as Palma Mallorca, Southern Spain, France, Italy.
It can also be a very good time to take a city break and enjoy some sightseeing, exploring and great food. Good options would be Venice, Rome, Florence, Nice, Prague, Palma, Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, Marrakech.
Further afield the weather will be more guaranteed, and popular destinations are the Red Sea, Dubai, Oman and Mauritius.
Just contact us with your requirements, and we’ll help you find the perfect October break for your family.
Here are some of the
destinations/resorts
we'd recommend:
|
Cyprus:
Aphrodite Hills - 5 star resort with self catering accommodation as well as hotel options. Extensive resort facilities inc crèche, kids club spa,golf,tennis, cycling and riding. Around £2.5 k inc flights family of 4 19th October, around £4k the following week (flights more expensive).
Almyra: chic contemporary hotel in great seafront location with creche and kids club, stylish slate-lined pools, great food. 50% off childrens room and 20% off adults. Around £4 k inc flights family of 4 19th October, around £5700 k the following week (flights more expensive).
Meridien: excellent 5 star hotel with very good dedicated creche/kids club facility and childrens restaurant. Also award winning spagood beach with rock pools. Comp half board for Oct. (prices similar to the Almyra)
Anassa: luxury hotel with contemporary décor fabulous spa, good beach and unspoilt location. 50% off childrens room and 20% off adults.
Elysium: good 5 star hotel just outside Paphos: modern décor, great food, lovely spa, good childrens facilities,plenty of grassy areas, kids club.
Annabelle: sister hotel to the Almyra with the same exceptional seafront location. Lovely pools on different levels, kids club,good food, walk to Paphos in minutes, wide choice of room types including suites with private pools and interconnecting rooms. Comp half board for October
.
Canaries:
Abama: luxury 5 star resort in quiet area, superb facilities inc spa,golf,tennis,creche and kids club great food (one Michelin starred restaurant),lovely beach with natural 'sea pools'. Very booked up in interconnecting rooms and suites for w/c Oct 23rd, some interconnectings left for the week before. Deluxe rooms and junior suites can take up to 4 at a squeeze, however.
Jardin Tropcial: good 4 star on the costa Adeje with lovely pool, kids club and good food. Informal and friendly, not too huge.
Princesa Yaiza: very good 5 star in quiet resort in Lanzarote with extensive childrens facilities and good club, thalassotherapy spa and golden sand beach. Lots of restaurants close by. Family suites one bed suites and rooms/junior suites.
Guide price for family of 4 around 4k inc flights.
Greece:
Porto Sani Village - llovely resort with creche, kids club spa,marina, beaches,tennis lots of restaurants. Excellent value as children stay free, there are discounts and there is FREE half boarding October. Guide price family of 4 around £3.5k inc flights.
Crete: Porto Elounda de Luxe. Good quality childcare from 6 mths +. Private Blue Flag Beach, tennis, golf and lovely new Six Senses Spa. Good food. Just a 5 min taxi ride from the village of Elounda -with tavernas harbour etc. 20% accommodation discount for October.
Crete: Istron Villas: Lovely high spec villas with private pools and access to the facilities of the adjacent Istron ay Hotel. Glorious seaviews, beach. Discounts for October
Crete: Domes of Elounda: boutique hotel with suites or self catering villas. Kids club from 4 yrs, good restaurants, babysitting, spa. 35 % discount for October, from just 1225 euros for a one bed suite for a family of 4 on b&b. Flights extra.
Tunisia:
The Residence Hotel: very good hotel with superb Indian ocean-style service. Kids club from 4yrs and babysitters available who accompany younger children to the club. Guide price around £5k inc flights for a family of 4.
Other good but cheaper resorts available too.
Morocco:
The Mazagan: stunning new rsort hotel on the beach just south of Casablanca. Childcare for all ages from 6 mths – superb spa, excellent food, lovely beach.
Les Jardins de La Koutoubia: right inside the Medina in Marrakech – ideal for a stay in this fascinating city. Riad style but larger than a Riad with more facilities: 2 pools, good food, comfortable rooms, and fabulous location right next to the Koutoubia Mosque (easy to find!) and right next to the souks and the main square.
Portugal:
Algarve: Monte Da Quinta: luxury high spec villas, townhouses and suites on the Quinta do Lago site. Small and exclusive, hotel style daily maid service, restaurants, spa, indoor pool, easy access to golf, riding, cycling etc, good kids club and creche from 6 mths, babysitting available too. Nature reserve and beach close by. Highly recommended.
Throughout Oct: Two bedroom Townhouse – approx £1540 per week (without flights)
Pine Cliffs Sheraton iin the Algarve - very good 5 star hotel,with self catering appts with full hotel facilities. Creche from 6 mths, spa,golf. Excellent offer of 25% discount for September/October: guid eprice family of 4 in 2 bed luxury Residence appt inc flights – around £3600 departing 19th October. Little more following week as flight prices increase.
Italy:
Lots of gorgeous villas, but also a new luxury resort with creche and kids club in Southern Italy (where it stays warmer for longer) in Puglia. Lots to explore too in the region, hill top villages, the fascinating Trulli houses, and medieval coastal towns..
Turkey:
Ela Resort Antalya: luxury resort with goodfamily accommodation optiosn and superb facilities including extensive childrens area, kids club form 12 mths and even small aqua park. All inclusive –so good value.
Sea Garden – just outside Bodrum (20 mins).Attractive hotel with contemporary styling, good beach and childcare and activities from 6 mths.
Kempinski Barbaros Bay: luxury hotel with very good service great food and kids club. Peaceful beachside location.
Red Sea:
Just 5. 5 hrs away, great
weather, warm seas, ideal for
snorkelling and all watersports.
A variety of hotels with
wide-ranging facilities even ice
skating....we recommend the
Ritz, the Four Seasons the
Concorde – all in Sharm. And in
Hurghada the Oberoi,in El Gouna
the Movenpick.
Mauritius:
Stunning scenery, superb hotels, service and facilities, excellent childrens’
clubs - for a luxury destination
Mauritius is hard to beat:
flights for key dates already
very busy.
Dubai and Oman
Just 7/8 hrs away and minimal jet lag, good weather, great hotels with excellent service, facilities and childrens clubs, great beaches, plenty to explore - Dubai and Oman are obvious choices for some half term warmth and relaxation ina safe yet exotic environment.
