October half term in the sun?

[Triffid1]

We are quite keen to go away for October half term. Somewhere sunny and nice but we don't need it to be blazing sunshine - just nice enough that we can sit outside, wander around, maybe have a swim if the weather is especially good etc.

As a rule, we prefer self catering but v happy with either resort style or more independent as a rule, although am leaning towards convenience of a resort.

We like somewhere with shops/restaurants etc but we don't want a city break - definitely more about finding time to swim, walk, cycle, chill etc. Kids can both swim so either an individual or resort pool is nice and it doesn't have to be fenced off.

Budget is tricky - all in I think probably about £3000 for between 4-7 nights. So not massive. 2 adults, 2 kids.

Any ideas?

[itssquidstella]

Just to throw something else into the mix, we were in Crete last October and it was lovely - between 18-23 degrees in the day, cooler in the evenings but still nice to wander about with a jumper on.

That said, we'll probably go to the Canaries this October if we can find reasonable flights!

[Triffid1]

Thanks again all. I've just looked at school dates and I think we can go mid October. It would mean taking DD out of school for a couple of days, but she's young and also far ahead academically so I don't think that would be a problem. DS' school has a different schedule which is what makes it possible. All of this means resorts likely to still be open and might also impact price.

I'm going to try do some research later this week and aim to book something ASAP. Cyprus is currently my preference with the Canary Islands as my second choice.

[NCTDN]

We've been to puerto pollens a in Majorca in half term well. Weather was amazing but because it went to 31st October, lots of places were closed in the last couple of days.

[reluctantbrit]

@balalake

Check south of France, not sure how warm it is in October though.

A lot colder than Cyprus.

We went end of October and while it was nice to be outside without a coat it definitely wasn't guaranteed. We also had the odd shower. Still nicer than the UK but not necessarily where I would go again end of October.

[balalake]

Check south of France, not sure how warm it is in October though.

[Molly499]

We were in Limassol the first weekend of November and it was around 28 degrees most days so plenty warm enough. We pretty much toured the whole of the south coast, if in Limassol you need a car but it’s a good base as you are central. If you Stay in Paphos there are more things walkable.

We got a great deal by booking through www.ba.com as a package of flight, hotel, and car. You can save a fortune doing it this way but I guess prices will be bad for half term.

Lanzarote, I’d go to Playa Blanca as it’s more for families and the other resorts are more of a party/boozy scene. Booked again through BA and got a cracking deal at the Dreams hotel which was a fabulous hotel with extremely average food.

[Triffid1]

@veiledsentiments

I live in Cyprus. My sisters and parents came last October half-term. Weather was mid 20s during the day. You will need a sweater in the evenings.

thank you. This is helpful.. We aren't looking for super hot. Just somewhere we can spend a day out and about without worrying about lots of jackets and hats and scarves, can sit outside to eat etc. A swim (possibly in heated pool) would be nice but none of us are the types to want to spend a day lying in the sun. We do all like to wander, pop into a restaurant or coffee shop, dip into some kind of attraction, then off again. So much easier if weather isn't terrible.

[veiledsentiments]

I live in Cyprus. My sisters and parents came last October half-term. Weather was mid 20s during the day. You will need a sweater in the evenings.

[purpleboy]

www.altalomacosta.com

We've stayed here a few times, great terrace, pool, on the beach with a free train that takes you there, fuengirola town about 5 minutes in the car, and Marbella about 30 mins on a bus.
Flights to Malaga are really cheap and from most uk airports. The place is about 15/20 mins from the airport.
It's self catering and well within your budget.

[Triffid1]

Already all booked? Blimey, I thought doing it now was okay. It's hard to pre-plan as we have a lot of moving parts including cash flow.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to take a look over the next week or so and try get something firmed up. lots of ideas on here I'd never thought of so that's helpful already!

[minipie]

I think quite a lot of places will be booked up so rather than specific recommendations you might be best off looking on booking.com or similar and seeing where has availability.

I would look at the Limassol area ?

[Triffid1]

Thanks all. Embarrassed I didn't think of Cyprus myself. Turkey would be great but DH isn't a fan of Turkey due to some convoluted childhood thing - I might raise it again as I keep getting told about fabulous resorts and holidays out there! Morocco I am saving because I have a plan for me and the kids when they are older.

Still open to any specific resort ideas. I'm going to spend some time this weekend researching and seeing what our options are.

[minipie]

Cyprus. Or Marrakech, but Cyprus sounds more like what you’re after.

[pastaandpesto]

Gah sorry posted by accident!

I found the villa on airbnb and then booked it independently.

www.babeloued-essaouira.com/fr_babargane.php

Can't wait!

[pastaandpesto]

@liveeverysecond@liveeverysecond

[liveeverysecond]

@pastaandpesto can I asked who you booked through please? That sounds amazing!!! Like the idea of villa and chef. I love villas but the only downside is the cooking 😂

[reluctantbrit]

Cyprus - we went in the last week in October and while it was fresh in the evenings and we had the odd overcast time with rain showers, it was definitely great.

But you need to check carefully, several resorts shut down 31st October and already cut down on restaurants and services offered.

[Roselilly36]

Lanzarote is fab, been many times pre covid, PDC is our favourite resort, so much to see on the Island.

[CottonSock]

I've done algarve twice and weather was mixed. Some days of full rain.
So I'm going to lanzarote. Flights were £1100. Villas available for all budgets. I got a heated pool and hot tub for £1k so your budget is definitely doable. Car hire 200 ish.

[Anotherusernamethisweek]

We always do Turkey in October half term. Some years it's 24-26 degrees and some years it's 28-30 degrees. We go all inclusive and this October we've booked 4 kids and 2 adults for about £2600.

[RandomUsernameHere]

We are thinking of going to one of the Greek islands as still nice weather at that time.

[Shangrilalala]

We did Cyprus last October/November and it was lovely. We swam every day in both heated and unheated pools and had many lazy meals outside. It was perfect. We’re Paphos fans and have returned many times but this was the first out of high season.I’d highly recommend.

[JubileeQueen]

We went to Portugal (Carvoiera) in October half term and it was lovely- warm and sunny!

I would book somewhere with a heated pool if you want to swim though - most pools were unheated and absolutely freezing!

[pastaandpesto]

We are going to Essaouira in Morocco. Have booked a stunning 4 bed private villa with heated private pool and a chef (yes that's correct) for £1500. Flights another £1400 for five of us. Will be taking family surf lessons, exploring, and generally chilling!

[Ilikewinter]

what about Cyprus, ive only been late September but the weather was perfect could be worth a look?