A bite sized guide to: Where to go in October half term on a family holiday

The Canaries: temperatures between 21-28 degrees

Morocco: temperatures between 17-29 degrees

Malta: temperatures between 18-25 degrees

Seychelles: temperatures between 24-30 degrees

Cyprus: temperatures between 18-28 degrees

Oman: temperatures between 25-35 degrees

Mauritius: temperatures between 18-24 degrees

Turkey: temperatures between 15-25 degrees

Iceland: temperatures between 2-7 degrees

UK: temperatures between 7-14 degrees

Your most asked October family holiday questions, answered

It’s easy to see why these clutch of Atlantic outposts are a magnet for families looking to flee the grey and chilly weather at home, particularly if you’re looking to escape at October half term. The Canaries offer a dose of winter sunshine within a four-and-half-hour flight – yes, see the appeal now? Autumn here is a breeze – the seas are still bath warm from all that high summer heat all while lacking the peak season crowds. Forget those dated package holiday stereotypes, there’s so much more that the Canaries have to offer. Situated off the north-west coast of Morocco, this Spanish archipelago is made up of eight sun-drenched islands, each as dynamic as the next offering families everything from tot-friendly sandy beaches to adventure-fuelled days with a hearty dose of educational culture too – five of the islands are listed as Unesco biosphere reserves for their unusual flora and fauna. The varied landscapes are catch-your-breath stunning – Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria offer dramatic volcanic landscapes wrapped in rocky coves, icing sugary sand dunes and verdant jungly forests, ideal for minis who would rather be ziplining than lazing on a beach (but there’s plenty of that available too). Unsurprisingly, there are heaps of family-oriented hotels, whether you want an all-singing, all-dancing all-inclusive or a boujee boutique bolthole

October weather: between 21-28 degrees.

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To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in The Canaries, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap 

A wonderland for the senses, expect you and your brood to be swept up by the magic of Morocco. Of course the speedy flight – a mere three-and-a-half jaunt – and the all-year-round balmy weather makes this a failsafe option when you want to make a beeline for better weather in October. While Marrakech might be the best-known destination, with its madcap medinas and labyrinth of Aladdin-esque souks that will have tiny eyes on stalks, there’s a quieter side too for those who yearn for a bit more peace and quiet (even if your children are not). From souped-up camps peppered among soaring canyons, where days are spent quad biking and camel riding in the lunar desert landscape with hearty home-cooked tagines for dinner to beach-fronted all-villa beauties where a roster of babe-friendly activities, gastronomic Moroccan cooking and award-winning spas await, this is a country that will squeeze a smile out of the hard to please. Even if you’re staying in a sprawling big-name resort, the ancient Kasbahs and rugged mountainscapes are an easy day trip away. Worth mentioning too is how Moroccans simply flop at the sight of children, meaning they’ll be embraced by locals wherever you go

October weather: between 17-29 degrees

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To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Morocco, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap 

When you want a top-up of Vitamin D and travel within a three-and-half-hour flight radius Malta is your golden ticket. The sun puts on its hat most of the year, even when everyone is wrapped up in hats and scarves back in Blighty, making this a total win for families – think sunshine without the scorching heat, warm seas for splashing about, and way fewer crowds than the summer rush. Little explorers will love building sandcastles on Golden Bay, meeting the quirky characters at Popeye Village, and getting hands-on at the Esplora Science Centre. Hop on a boat to Gozo or Comino for dreamy blue waters, wander the fairy-tale streets of Mdina, or step back in time with live reenactments at Fort Rinella. Add in magical festivals like Birgufest, a fab aquarium for rainy days, and plenty of delicious pastizzi to snack on, and you’ve got the perfect autumn escape. There’s a scattering of cracking family-friendly all-inclusive resorts to choose from here, including design-centric properties that combine slick service with contemporary interiors and kids’ clubs you’ll have to drag them home from

October weather: between 18-25 degrees

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To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Malta, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap 

It doesn’t get any more far-flung and Robinson Crusoe than hitting the balmy shores of the Seychelles in October. Yes, it might be a bit of a schlep to get here (RIP to the BA direct Seychelles flight, you’ll have to stop in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi making it around a 13-14 hour jaunt) but the longer the journey, the mightier the adventure so be prepared to have your socks well and truly knocked off. It’s the colours that will get you, the winking, twinkling acid-blue sea and the giant soot-coloured boulders fringing luminous white sand. What we love about family holidays to the Seychelles is that you’re not necessarily shipwrecked on a secluded island as most hotels are on or near the mainland, making exploring a doddle. Little adventurers can splash in the shallow lagoons of Anse Lazio, meet giant tortoises on the car-free island of La Digue (hire a bicycle and make a day of it, stopping for octopus curry at Chez Jules) and snorkel nose-to-fin with rainbow-coloured fish – coming here offers a front-row seat of nature. When it comes to hotels there’s a wealth of options, from the big-name, tot-friendly favourites – the likes of Four Seasons, Six Senses and Club Med – to more boutique Seychellois boltholes, there’s no chance of being disappointed

October weather: between 24-30 degrees

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To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in the Seychelles, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap 

Here’s to a family holiday that’s big on sunshine and low on stress (yes, these can all co-exist, you just need to know where to look). Cyprus in October might be our actual favourite time of year – shoulder season (hurrah, fewer people), sultry summery days where the mercury regularly hits a blissful 26-degrees and an easy, direct flight from the UK, welcome to Europe’s hottest island in The Med. They’ve got the whole multi-generational thing down to a T here with so much to offer for those who want to do more than simply laze horizontal on a sunlounger. From frolicking in the calm waters of Fig Tree Bay to exploring the sea caves at Cape Greco and spying baby turtles on Lara Beach, if the minis don’t sleep well at home, we promise they will here. The island is packed with history too – do an educational mooch around the ancient ruins of Kourion, then refuel on fresh souvlaki and halloumi at a family-run taverna. And when it’s time to rest those weary heads, there’s ample parent-pleasing spots from budget boutique beachside hideaways to chic resorts with bullet-proof childcare, you won’t be forgetting this island in a hurry.

October weather: between 18-28 degrees

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To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Cyprus, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap 

Sometimes it can be a bit of a dilemma choosing a holiday to suit the whole brood. Culture blast or flopping on a beach? Sandblasting down towering dunes or glamping under starry skies? That’s why we are head-over-heels for an October trip to Oman – it has the lot. With glorious 30-degree sunshine, golden beaches, and a mix of desert, mountains, and sea, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better box-ticker. The sproglets can float in the emerald waters of Wadi Shab, spot dolphins soaring off the coast of Muscat and sandboard down the towering dunes of Wahiba Sands. For the culture vultures, this is the stuff that even bored tweens won’t mind – from breezing through the bustling souks of Muttrah and exploring ancient forts to spying the adorable turtles hatch at Ras Al Jinz. And when it’s time to unwind, there’s no shortage of dreamy stays – think beachfront resorts with infinity pools, boutique desert camps under starry skies, and luxe mountain retreats in the Al Hajar range. Whether you’re kayaking through fjord-like coves in Musandam, riding camels at sunset, or feasting on dates and honey in a Bedouin tent, Oman is a sun-soaked, crowd-free alternative to the usual family holiday hotspots. Don’t just take our word for it, Kate, Wills and the gang are big fans too.

October weather: between 25-35 degrees

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To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Oman, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap 

Mauritius

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that should you and your gang be heading to Mauritius in October, you’ll be the subject of much envy (possibly even an Insta unfollow but you win some, you lose some). Located off the East Coast of Africa, Mauritius is a tropical paradise bursting with vanilla-coloured sand and calm aquamarine waters alive with coral reefs teeming with rainbow-hued fish. Better yet, frequent direct flights from the UK make the journey a breeze for littles (for a long-haul, that is). From swimming with dolphins to glass-bottom boat trips, ziplining, or even an underwater park, the island offers plenty for those who want to get out and about .And when it comes to where to stay, there’s something for everyone – all-inclusive beachfront resorts with epic kids’ clubs that offer the grown-ups plenty of alone time to wallow in the spa, boutique eco-lodges nestled in nature, and dreamy private villas with infinity pools. And even the fussiest of eaters will be asking for more when it comes to trying Creole curries for lunch and just-caught seafood for dinner, with sand between their toes and stars overhead. For a sun-drenched October, this is just what the doctor ordered

October weather: between 18-24 degrees

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To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Mauritius, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap 

The Turkish Coast has a timeless, effortless charm, perfect for laid-back family seaside escapes. October brings a slower pace to the country, the summer heat has mellowed to a pleasant 25-degrees (though it can get nippy at night so bring cardis and jumpers) perfect for lazy days on the golden sands of Ölüdeniz or boat trips along the dazzling Turquoise Coast. History comes alive as little explorers can roam the ancient ruins of Ephesus, splash in Pamukkale’s thermal pools, or spot wild turtles along the Dalyan River. For those craving a dose of adventure, give them an adrenaline rush with jeep safari tours through the Taurus Mountains, canyoning in Saklıkent Gorge, or even a goosebump-inducing sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadoci, just imagine the stories they’ll be telling on their return. When darkness falls, families flock to waterside terraces, tucking into fresh meze and Aegean seafood as laughter drifts through the breeze. Thankfully, too, Turkey is not short of shout-about-it hotels, from the sprawling (with 10 pools and their own waterparks) to the quieter retreats nestled in olive groves, whatever your vibe, you’ll find it here.

October weather: between 15-25 degrees

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To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Turkey, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap 

Ok, so we’ve been heralding warm places to go in October thus far and Iceland certainly won’t be on that list but hear us out. As the summer crowds fade, the land of fire and ice becomes even more enchanting – think crisp air, golden-hued landscapes, and the first flickers of the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. For families coming to Iceland, it’s a total wonderland where they can explore otherworldly lava fields, soak in steamy geothermal pools, and watch waterfalls thundering into misty canyons. Small people and grown-ups alike will be spellbound by the bubbling mud pools of Hverir, the explosive drama of Strokkur Geyser, and the chance to walk between continents at Thingvellir National Park. You won’t want to miss a whale-watching expedition or riding Icelandic horses through volcanic valleys and for broods with older children, a chance to trek across a glacier. On the hotel scene, there’s quite the variety – boutique lodges and cosy countryside cabins where wood-fired hot-tubs and cinnamon buns await to smart, shiny-as-a-button Reykjavik abodes just steps from the city’s best cafés and cultural spots that happily cater to the complicated whims of families

October weather: between 2-7 degrees

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To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Iceland, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap 

Sometimes you just **need** a break from the humdrum of chores and work and that doesn’t necessarily mean hopping on a flight. A staycation in the UK in October can still see sunny days (in 2023, Surrey reached a whopping 25.8-degrees on October 8, just an FYI) but you’ll need to be prepared for every type of weather.  As autumn sets the landscape ablaze with burnished golds and fiery reds, the British countryside becomes the perfect playground for families looking to slow down and soak up the season. Whether it’s leaf-crunching strolls through the Lake District, fossil hunting on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, or starry-night glamping in the wilds of Scotland, there’s adventure at every turn. Cornwall is also a glorious place to be too, quieter than the summer holidays, with blustery walks across dramatic cliffs and near-empty beaches where you can sit at seafront cafés, cones loaded with clotted cream ice-cream, and watch surfers brave the chilly waves. The Cotswolds’ chocolate-box villages are a dream for pumpkin picking and woodland adventures, while Wales’ Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire National Parks offer wild beauty and endless space to roam. Families can stay in boutique country house hotels with roaring fires, some with free childcare thrown in,  or sprawling farm stays where little ones can feed the animals and live the rural idyll, even just for a little while

October weather: between 7-14 degrees

Best for Babies & Toddlers

To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in the UK, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap 

Themes: Where to go when by month, with kids, The Family Friendly European Edit, The Family Friendly Winter Sun Edit, The Family Friendly Adventure Edit, The Family Friendly UK Edit, 

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