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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Is October better value than summer hols?

17 replies

rainydogday · 19/12/2023 18:50

Dithering.....again. Summer school holidays abroad are just getting more and more expensive. We did lots of camping trips to France when the kids were little - but now I have had a taste of some lovely Greek, sunny holidays by a pool. Guaranteed wall to wall sunshine and no need to cook.....but I just can't justify spending £5-£6k for a weeks holiday! Have tentatively looked at not going at peak summer holidays but maybe October half term. Do you think this is a better deal or do you think that you then take a gamble with the weather.....

OP posts:

modgepodge · 19/12/2023 18:55

I think Greece would be reliably hot and dry in October. As are the canaries. Not quite as hot as summer probably, particularly for Greece probably more bearable! Mainland Spain or similar is probably not so reliable.

Chewbecca · 19/12/2023 19:03

I would have said the opposite, Southern Spain is more reliable than Greek islands, most of which have totally shut down by end October. The weather in the summer is totally different to October, there is little swimming for example, unless you are much tougher than me!

minipie · 19/12/2023 19:18

October half term - so mid to end October - is definitely a gamble in the Greek islands. Weather is closing in and the tourist places are shutting down too. You might have a lovely week in one of the southern islands (Rhodes or Crete) - or you might not. Same for southern Spain I’d say.

If you can wait till last minute you could check the weather forecast for various places and book something if it looks decent, but would have to not be too fussy about hotels flight times etc.

Cyprus is a safer bet weather wise in Oct half term, but it’s not cheap as that’s a peak time for them.

Lovelynames123 · 19/12/2023 19:23

I had a lovely week in Turkey at October half term, really great weather, rained one day for about 5 minutes but apart from that glorious sunshine and still warm in the evening.

Booked about 12 weeks in advance and paid £1800 for me and 2 dc AI. Planning on booking up for next year but will wait for a bargain!

Clevs · 19/12/2023 19:45

We went to Lanzarote in October half term this year and last year. Temps were 26-28 degrees last year and 24-26 degrees this year. The cost was £3000 last year and £2400 this year for two adults and one child, all inclusive at 4 star hotels.

Original poster

rainydogday · 19/12/2023 19:52

Clevs · 19/12/2023 19:45

Oh can you recommend the hotel?

OP posts:

Original poster

rainydogday · 19/12/2023 19:54

I am looking at the Canaries or Cyprus. Just trying to get something nice under £4k all inclusive, on the beach and not too Brits abroad

OP posts:

Clevs · 19/12/2023 21:00

@rainydogday
Last year we stayed at Hotel Mirador Papagayo. This year it was THB Tropical Island, both in Playa Blanca.

We have a five year old and Tropical Island was better for him as there were loads of pools, slides, splash pad and kids club (we didn't use the kids club though apart from half an hour on our last day as he wanted to go in the soft play). The hotel was a bit dated in places but clean and functional. Both hotels had good food and free shuttle buses to the beach.

If we had to choose to go again we'd go to Tropical Island as there was more for our son. If it was just the two of us with no child then we'd choose the Mirador Papagayo.

Original poster

rainydogday · 19/12/2023 21:52

Thanks Clevs. I will have a look at both

OP posts:

Pifful · 20/12/2023 14:06

October half term can be almost November so the Canaries are the safer bet for weather. They do sell holidays to Greece, Spain etc but you might be disappointed if it rains. I have had rain in Greece and Spain in early October.
I've stayed in the Mirador Papagayo with DH and DS 23. There are some beautiful sea facing rooms there with sunbeds on the terrace. Nice pool and staff. Some family accommodation is across the road in apartments I believe.
While I loved the room the food wasn't the greatest and I prefere the Iberostar. If it's down to cost the Mirador is fine.

amylou8 · 20/12/2023 14:11

We used to do Egypt or Turkey in October half term when mine were younger and it was reliably hot. We found going the Wednesday or Thursday of the week before they broke up (tut tut) reduced the price significantly.

reluctantbrit · 21/12/2023 09:59

We went to Cyprus, Antalya and Lanzarote in the last October week and had a huge mix of weather, including torrential downpour one day each.

It will be warmer than in Spain or northern Greece but by no mean you will have guaranteed sunshine. Also, some resorts are already shutting down in Greece and Turkey.

You will need a cardigan/jumper in the evening, when the sun goes down around 4pm, it will get cooler.

We said we would go back to Cyprus but we aren't big AI/Resort only fans, we prefer sightseeing, so the cooler weather fits for us.

HobnobsChoice · 21/12/2023 10:07

I've been to Crete in the last week of October and we stayed on the South side of the island and it was very definitely closing up for winter in terms of fewer restaurants. The sea was beautifully warm but we could only swim about 3 or 4 days as the wind meant the waves were too fierce. We had rain on two days including the night we arrived in an absolute downpour. However we were able to go to Knossos and Chania without them being too hot or overcrowded. I absolutely cannot manage any Greek Island in July or August, the heat is just far too much for me

I've been to Southern Spain in October too and had more overcast days than in Crete.

rookiemere · 22/12/2023 07:10

Canaries are usually pretty reliable for October, but are priced accordingly.
We looked at Turkey as you get a lot more for your money, but were put off because slightly concerned about weather - but friends went and had great weather-and felt Canaries safer with late teen boys than Turkey.
Costa Adeje in Tenerife is good option, most of the hotels around there are good.

Twilightstarbright · 24/12/2023 16:10

I refused to go to Greece with my family in October half term as the weather is too unreliable and there’s nothing to do in some
of the small islands with kids in the rain.

We went to Lanzarote instead and had 2 showers in 2 weeks for maybe an hour, rest of the time it was sunny and hot (25c). Second week I needed a cardigan at night.

Malaga is the sunniest place in mainland Europe so I think anywhere on that coast would be ok, and loads to do if the weather is naff one day.

Haveheart · 24/12/2023 16:18

We go to Rhodes every Oct half term and the weather is always late 20s, early 30s. We usually stay near Lindos and no sign of any places shutting down for winter when we go 😃

user1471464218 · 24/12/2023 16:21

I find summer better value tbh. I don't take the kids out of school, which I know would reduce the price, and all schools in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland have the same week off in October so there are no bargains by using a different airport, which you might be able to do in GB.

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