As the nights begin to draw in along with the temperatures start to fall, it’s tempting to get away with your family for something new of scene. October half-term could be the last chance in the school holidays calendar to make tracks before Christmas. You don’t always have to decide on the most obvious destinations. These six family friendly destinations all work nicely for travel in October. Make the most of cooler temperatures in Turkey, autumnal color in New England and great game viewings in South Africa.
Top 6 picks for family travel destinations in October
Morocco
Often wrongly considered to be a challenging destination for families, the many various well facilitated hotels, charismatic guides as well as the choice to self-drive means that Morocco, in reality, is a great fit. Moroccan people adore children, and you’ll find yourselves being welcomed into the local community wherever you visit.
Marrakesh is a superb introduction to Morocco. The winding pathways of the medina hide tantalizing nooks to explore with inquisitive children. The old souqs seem to sell anything from cactus silk scarves to aromatic herbs and Arabian-style lamps.
Morocco’s snow-capped Atlas Mountains can be glimpsed from Marrakesh on a clear day and are only a short drive away. With a number of trails all over the foothills of the Atlas, you can spend a couple of hours walking ambling through a lush valley or take the the day to hike to a Berber village. Most of the hotels have bicycles available, and you may even try a camel trek.
South Africa
October is an ideal time for you to visit South Africa, when its climate is warm, sunny and dry. The end of the dry season, animals are easier to spot as they travel to watering holes. While it’s a long-haul flight away, the time difference is just 2 hours.The cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, often your entry point into South Africa, nestles into the foot of Table Mountain. You are able to use the cable car up to the top for panoramic views above the city. Task the children to try to spot the resident daisies, associated with the elephant but resembling giant fluffy hamsters.
The flexibility to travel at your own pace makes self-driving a popular option for families. Heading east from Cape Town, the Garden Route is the stretch of road that joins Mossel Bay and Plettenburg Bay. Very easy to navigate and blessed with little traffic, it’s a playground for families, offering canoeing, hiking and horse-back riding to name just a few outdoor activities. There are plenty of restaurants to stop off at along the route and some hotels will provide a picnic lunch, which you can enjoy at one of the viewpoints you pass.
South Africa is well known because of its wildlife and many lodges offer activities aimed directly at children, from making plaster casts of animal footprints to tracking wildlife with a ranger. A few of the national parks, such as the Eastern Cape on the garden route, are malaria free, which can take the worry out of game viewing.
USA
In October, the forests of New England turn to their fiery autumn shades as the temperatures cool – perfect for families who don’t like the blazing heat. Six hours on a plane will take you directly to Boston, Massachusetts. The biggest city in New England – which happens to be spread over six states – Boston is also one of the oldest. The Freedom Trail is one of the best ways to explore the city. A two and a half mile walking route, it passes 16 historical sites including America’s oldest commissioned warship, The USS Constitution, as well as parks and some mouth-watering food stalls to keep your children going.
Going to watch the local baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, is another quintessential way to experience the city.
North of Massachusetts, head to New Hampshire. There are plentiful hiking trails through the White Mountains, where it’s a possibility to spot a moose or deer. As well as walk, you can arrange to canoe or horse ride.
Mauritius
Cosseted by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius offers families a blend of adventure and beach. Having a coastline of over 160km, there are several sheltered bays ideal for families to feel at ease when swimming and snorkeling.
With a backdrop of powder white sands, Mauritius has plenty of family orientated activities to help make the most of the clear waters, including dolphin watching, kayaking and submarine diving. Often underestimated, the national parks in the island’s interior are criss-crossed with hiking trails meandering past waterfalls and breaking out on to scenic lookout points. You might spot wildlife like the vibrantly decorated geckos or parakeets.
The island’s small perimeter means it’s just an hour and a half’s drive, coast to coast. Mauritius has safe and well-maintained roads, so self-driving is a wonderful way to explore. You’ll be able to hire a car for as little as a day.
Most of the hotels cater specifically for families, offering well sized family villas, children’s activities and special food menus.
Japan
With smooth running transport, quirky attractions and a safe, child-friendly culture, we’ve found few countries in the world better suited for family travel than Japan. In October, Japan is transitioning into autumn and relaxing into cooler temperatures. In comparison to the sweltering heats of summer, it’s a fantastic climate for actively exploring. You’re also treated to the vibrant foliage of the maple trees.
Connected by bullet train, Tokyo and Kyoto are great starting points. Bullet trains are a favored way to travel around Japan for their efficiency and punctuality, and almost sci-fi modernity.
For families, the two cities cater well. Disneyland Tokyo is home to two separate theme parts and numerous hotels. The quirkier Studio Ghibli’s Museum will keep you occupied for hours full of ginormous plush toys to climb on and a film screening room. Arashiyama on the outskirts of Kyoto is a great destination for appreciating the autumnal foliage and the children can run through the maze of bamboo groves.
Turkey
Although often viewed as a Summer destination, October’s temperatures are still gently warm in Turkey, the crowds have dissipated and costs are lower. Looking past the beaches, the Cappadocia region in central Turkey is a haven for active families. You can bike, hike or drive a jeep through the volcanic landscape of jagged rock formations. As a finale, take a hot air balloon ride over the plateau. At sunset the light catches the rocky pinnacles creating an otherworldly landscape.
Since the area was initially settled, local residents have carved their homes out from the soft rock. Many of these traditional cave dwellings are actually transformed into boutique properties with well sized rooms and antique furnishings. Get ready to enjoy a comfortable stay while the children can explore the subterranean passageways.