Looking for some autumn/winter sun? Then check out our top five destinations for last minute bookings in October:
1) The Canary Islands
Perhaps an obvious choice is the Canaries – and island group which is ever popular down to its year-round sun. But why so hot? The reason is that the Canaries, comprising Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, are just 50 miles from the sub-Saharan region of Africa, giving the island group the benefit of Africa’s cosy climate. Temperatures typically reach 24 degrees in October – perfect for sunbathing – and, even better, the sun is around for at least seven hours a day. Another reason to head to the Canaries is that the destination boasts nearly 950 miles of beaches – although Tenerife, the most volcanic of the islands, can be a little rocky. For soft, golden sands, you’re best to head to Gran Canaria, the second largest of the islands.
2) Cyprus
Cyprus is one of the few destinations in the Mediterranean which doesn’t start cooling down straight after the summer months – on the contrary, in fact. The Cypriot summer spans April to November and you’re normally guaranteed temperatures of at least 21 degrees in October. Families are advised to head to the likes of Coral Bay, just 12km south of Paphos which is a bit livelier. Both bases, however, are renowned for their pretty, clean beaches so you’re rest assured a great holiday – even in autumn. Perhaps the best bit about holidaying in Cyprus, however, is that it’s only just over a four-hour flight from the UK.
3) Tunisia
Tunisia has become a popular destination for families in recent years – thanks, in part, to budget airline Jet2 launching direct flights from Scotland and Manchester. Although the country cools down a little in September, it still enjoys daily temperatures above 20 degrees and also boasts a minimum of seven hours sunshine. It’s famed for its great beaches but has plenty of heritage and culture to engage in besides. For a place that’s truly steeped in North African history, head to the city of Carthage which, believe it or not, was once the third largest Roman city in the world. Rainfall is minimal here in October and there are seven hours of daily sunshine to worship as you wish.
4) Egypt
Sharm el Sheikh, which sits on the edge of the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, goes one better and guarantees at least 10 hours of glorious sun each day in October. It’s a destination that’s grown in popularity over the years – having started out as just a small fishing village. It’s just a five-hour flight from the UK and temperatures are typically around 27 degrees at this time of year. Rainfall is barely heard of in October but, if you’re a bit of a water baby, you’ll be delighted to hear that it’s one of the top diving destinations in the world given its location on the coast by the Red Sea.
5) Dubai
The UAE country of Dubai is one that’s generally best visited outwith the hottest summer months as temperatures can be uncomfortable and, sometimes, downright unbearable. With this in mind, October is an excellent time to visit and you’ll still find average temperatures of around 29 degrees, with at least 10 hours of daily sunshine. It, too, has stunning beaches and is a great place to relax in the lap of luxury – if you can afford it. Don’t expect much culture though or many sightseeing trips.
