The best places to visit in October

Although the weather in Britain is getting cooler, other parts of the world are opening up to British travellers and offering the chance for some late-season warmth and relaxation. While you’ll have to wait until next month to go to the US, Canada recently made it easier for Britons to visit. Here are some ideas to inspire you for a holiday in October.

Turkey

With Turkey finally off the red list, October is a splendid time to soak up the sunshine along the Turquoise Coast. Base yourself in laid-back Kalkan, where the very charming Elixir Boutique Hotel offers an outdoor pool and sea views to go with its traditional Turkish architecture. The smooth white pebbles of Kalkan beach are just over a kilometre away. Classic Collection has seven nights’ B&B at the Elixir from £639pp, departing 9 October, including flights and transfers.

Mallorca

Immerse yourself in the peaceful landscapes of Mallorca’s mountainous interior when you stay at Sa Fontasa, a stylish villa within walking distance of the village of Moscari. Decked out in bright Mallorcan style – white walls, exposed beams, cool terracotta floors, colourful tiles – the two-bedroom house has an outdoor pool and soothing mountain views. Available through Simpson Travel, this seven-night self-catering holiday costs from £678pp and includes flights, car hire and welcome pack. Departs 15 October.

Canada

Autumn in Ontario is such a visual treat when the leaves begin to change colour. And on this fly-drive tour that takes in the woods and lakes of Muskoka and Georgian Bay, you’ll be in the midst of mind-blowing shades of crimson and gold. This 10-night tour with Canadian Sky starts in Canada’s largest and most vibrant city, Toronto, before going on to Niagara Falls and heading up north to the Blue Mountain Resort and Muskoka. Prices for departures throughout October start at £1,889pp and include flights, accommodation and car hire.

France

Deep in the Languedoc countryside near the enticing market town of Uzès are the eight apartments and houses that make up Le Mas des Oules. This huge converted farmhouse set around a communal pool makes an appealing base for exploring this corner of Languedoc, with Uzès’s superb Saturday market, the Pont du Gard and lively Nîmes within a short drive. You can easily nip across the border into Provence if you fancy it. Accommodation ranges from two to five bedrooms, all with some sort of outside space in which to enjoy all that lovely French food. Available through i-escape, four nights’ self-catering in October starts at £476 in Clematite, which has a double and a single bedroom, from 15 October.

Devon

Enjoy views of Lynmouth Bay from Stone Cottage Lynton, which sits above its harbourside neighbour and is a short walk from the cute little funicular railway that chugs between the two villages. You also have Exmoor, beautiful beaches and the rugged landscape of the Valley of the Rocks at your feet. The cottage sleeps five in three bedrooms, and has a wood-burner and kitchen range for chilly autumn evenings. Canine Cottages has a week’s self-catering from 9 October for £455, down from £500, and dogs are welcome at £20 extra.

Sicily

You can’t escape the sight of Mount Etna’s snow-capped peak when you stay at Hotel Villa Sonia in the hilltop village of Castelmola. It’s even more impressive when you take the cable car towards the top of the volcano and wander round its lunar landscape. From the hotel, follow the path downhill to pretty Taormina and its impressive Greco-Roman amphitheatre overlooking the sea. Sardartur Holidays offers seven nights’ B&B in a deluxe Etna view room in Hotel Villa Sonia from £759pp, including flights and transfers, departing 8 October.

Mary Novakovich is editor at large at 101holidays.co.uk