October Half Term: Our Escapes Edit

October half term sits at an interesting point in the travel calendar. Summer in Europe is drawing to a close, while many of the world’s best winter-sun destinations are just beginning to hit their stride.

For families, that opens up plenty of possibilities. You could swap autumn at home for a few easy days on the beach, use the week or two to introduce the children to somewhere completely different, or turn half term into a bigger adventure filled with wildlife, culture and experiences they’ll still be talking about long after they’re home.

From reliable sunshine to up-and-coming destinations we’re seeing more interest in, here’s where we are booking this October.

Costa Rica

For families who would happily swap a week beside the pool for rainforest, wildlife and a little adventure, Costa Rica is difficult to beat.

October falls within the country’s green season, bringing tropical showers but also incredibly lush landscapes. Around Arenal, the rainforest is in full bloom and wildlife can be particularly rewarding to spot.

Days here are made for exploring: walking across hanging bridges through the canopy, searching for sloths and monkeys, visiting waterfalls or heading out with a naturalist guide before returning for a soak in naturally heated thermal springs.

Nayara Gardens puts you right amongst the rainforest, while Nayara Tented Camp offers a more adventurous take on luxury, with tented accommodation surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungle.

It’s a brilliant introduction to Central America for children, with enough adventure to make every day feel different.

Abu Dhabi

When you only have a week to play with, Abu Dhabi makes a compelling case for itself. It’s close enough to make a shorter break worthwhile, while October brings plenty of sunshine for days spent between the beach and pool, but there’s much more here than winter sun.

Saadiyat Island combines miles of white-sand beach with the Louvre Abu Dhabi and a growing cultural district, while the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of those places that deserves to be seen at least once. Over on Yas Island, Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and Yas Waterworld make it particularly easy to keep younger travellers entertained.

Stay at Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort for relaxed beachfront luxury, or make the hotel part of the experience at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, with its private beach, expansive grounds and unmistakable sense of occasion.

For families wanting warmth without committing to a long-haul adventure, it ticks a lot of boxes

Mauritius

Mauritius has long been a favourite for October half term, and it’s easy to understand why. The island is moving into its warmer months, with beautiful beaches, clear lagoons and plenty to do away from the sun lounger. Snorkelling, paddleboarding and boat trips can sit alongside waterfalls, botanical gardens, colourful markets and days exploring the island’s mountainous interior. It’s also a destination that does family luxury exceptionally well.

Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita combines spacious villas and a beautiful waterfront setting with plenty for younger guests, while LUX Grand Baie* offers a more contemporary base on the island’s lively north coast.

The appeal is its flexibility; you can spend the entire week barefoot beside the Indian Ocean or fill it with experiences and most families end up doing a little of both.

Marrakech

If a long-haul flight feels ambitious for a one-week break, Marrakech offers a complete change of scene within a few hours of the UK.

By October, the fierce heat of summer has eased, making it a much more comfortable time to explore. Wander through the Medina and its souks, visit the city’s gardens, learn to cook a traditional Moroccan dish or escape into the Atlas Mountains for the day.

Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is particularly good when travelling as a family, with private villas and gardens offering plenty of room to retreat from the energy of the city.

Add a hot-air balloon flight at sunrise, an afternoon in the Agafay Desert or lunch in a Berber village and even four or five days can feel like a proper adventure.

Japan

For families prepared to travel a little further, October is a wonderful time to experience Japan.

The heat and humidity of summer have eased and the first autumn colours begin to transform parts of the country, creating comfortable conditions for exploring.

Start in Tokyo, where futuristic neighbourhoods, immersive digital art, incredible food and seemingly endless things to discover make the city especially exciting for older children and teenagers.

Then take the Shinkansen to Kyoto, where temples, traditional neighbourhoods, gardens and tea houses reveal a completely different side of the country.

Japan is the more ambitious choice for a half-term week, but for families who want the holiday itself to be the experience, rather than simply the chance to relax, few destinations compare.

Panama

Panama’s Caribbean islands offer something rather different from the traditional October escape.

Bocas del Toro follows its own seasonal rhythm, with September and October bringing calmer, clearer conditions when its reefs, mangroves and marine life can be particularly rewarding.

Private island, Nayara Bocas del Toro feels wonderfully removed from everyday life. Accommodation ranges from overwater villas to treehouses surrounded by tropical vegetation, while days revolve around the water: snorkelling, exploring mangroves, looking for dolphins or hopping between neighbouring islands.

It works beautifully as an escape in its own right, but there’s another possibility too. Combine it with Costa Rica and half term becomes a two-country Central American adventure, moving from volcanoes and rainforest to a private Caribbean island.

The Canary Islands

Sometimes half term calls for something simple: sunshine, a beautiful hotel and as little travel time as possible.

That’s where the Canary Islands continue to earn their place as an October favourite. Tenerife and Lanzarote remain warm well beyond the end of the traditional Mediterranean summer, making them an easy choice for families who don’t want to travel long haul.

Tenerife in particular has a growing luxury side. The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama combines Moorish-inspired architecture with subtropical gardens, swimming pools and access to a secluded beach, giving you everything you need for an easy week away.

Beyond the resort, there’s whale watching, volcanic landscapes and Teide National Park to explore when you want to venture further.

Where will half term take you?

The best half-term holiday looks different for every family. It might mean doing very little beyond swimming and eating well in Mauritius, escaping to the sunshine of Abu Dhabi or Tenerife, or fitting an extraordinary amount into a week in Japan. For families ready for something more adventurous, Costa Rica and Panama offer the chance to make half term feel like a journey rather than simply a holiday.

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute October escape or already thinking ahead to your next school holiday, Escapes by BFP can create a journey around how your family actually wants to travel.