Travel

Where to go on holiday in October: Best holidays around the world to book now


Where are the best places to go on holiday in October? Reigo Eljas, Country Director for lastminute.com, advises Britons to try Orlando, Dublin, and Tel Aviv for a trip away and great last minute deal.

Orlando

The reasons to visit Orlando are pretty well known but get beyond those theme parks and there’s much more to the city than perhaps first meets the eye. Not that you’d want to miss the theme parks of course…With its central location, Orlando is also a great place to explore the rest of Florida, from the style of Miami to the history of St Augustine and all points in between. The weather is predictable, so the packing, like the living, is easy but, if you get it wrong, the shopping in Orlando is also terrific.

What to see and do

You can’t talk Orlando and not mention the theme parks. That aforementioned predictable weather has made this piece of Florida the perfect spot for such outdoor entertainment and Orlando has the lot – from Walt Disney World to LEGOLAND, Seaworld to Universal. Whether your thing is adrenaline-pumping rides or the gentler, (less nauseating!) styles of entertainment, the parks have you covered – plus, of course, there’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando for the family, or the pleasantly terrifying Halloween Mazes for those so inclined. S

hould your tastes extend to the culinary too, Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival runs until 23rd November, featuring great chefs, workshops, demonstrations, family-friendly events (including a Ratatouille-themed scavenger hunt) and a series of concerts called “Eat To The Beat” with the likes of Sheila E and Boyz II Men performing.

The brilliant Kennedy Space Center is also worth a look and – cough – just one small step away. With great beaches nearby, a big dinner theatre and cabaret scene, and first class sports represented by Orlando Magic, it should tick boxes for just about every member of the family. Oh, and if you’ve never done it before, Florida is one place you can still find drive-in and outdoor cinemas if a movie under the stars appeals

Where to go on holiday in October: Best holidays around the world to book now

What to eat

As you’d expect from such a holiday-friendly destination, there are many, many recognisable chains throughout Orlando. However, as with any city with such an image – Las Vegas also springs to mind – there’s a huge local community tucked just a little out of sight: hey, the theme park staff have to live somewhere, right?

And local communities means restaurants that are local gems. A little search online and you’ll find everything from burgers to Turkish, pizzas to neighbourhood Italians. Just make sure that you find some of the dishes the State is famous for, such as Key Lime Pie, conch fritters, and stone crab. If you’ve seen the movie Chef, you’ll also find some great Cuban sandwiches in the region.

Orlando Deals

3* Ramada Plaza Resort Suites Orlando/International Drive 7 nights, departing 11th October, from £739

2* Holiday Inn Express & Suites NEAREST UNIVERSAL ORLANDO, 7 nights departing 14th October from £859pp

4* Doubletree By Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando, 7 nights departing 21st October from £749pp

october holiday 2019 best holidays destinations

October holiday: Where is best to go away this month? Top destinations revealed (Image: Getty Images)

Dublin

Everything you’ve heard about Dublin is probably true. It’s genuinely friendly, easily accessible, and a wonderful mix of the historic and the modern. Whatever you’re seeking from a weekend away, be it culinary pleasures, culture or just a whole lot of fun, you WILL find it in Ireland’s largest city.

There are beautiful religious landmarks, such as St Patrick’s Cathedral, and Christ Church, as well as the Book of Kells, the 1000-year old illuminated manuscript with the four Gospels of the New Testament, which can be found in Trinity College Library. For those seeking scenery, the Wicklow Mountains are easily accessible, and for those seeking a more sociable time, there’s many options for that too…

What to See & Do

You can’t mention Dublin without mentioning certain products and, as well as finding those things at the famous Temple Bar – a pub that dates back to the 1300s – you can also visit the Old Jameson Distillery and, of course, do the fascinating Guinness Factory tour. For a more modern, striking landmark – and effective marker to get your bearings – The Spire of Dublin towers some 120m above the ground. It’s even effective at night, when the tip is lit up.

Should you be there for the last Sunday of the month you won’t be alone, as that’s the day for the HUGE Dublin Flea Market – as good a reason for taking an empty suitcase as you’ll find. At the very end of October, the Samhain Parade takes place, which has a justified reputation as one of the finest Halloween celebrations in the world: “Samhain” translates as both “the end of summer” and “November” in Gaelic. It kicks off at 7pm on the 31st, moves down O’Connell Street and Westmoreland Street, finishing at Temple Bar with a huge fireworks display.

orlando holiday 2019 october last minute deal

October holiday: There is more to Orlando than the theme parks – although they are fun too! (Image: Getty Images)

What to eat

Classic Irish dishes are comfort eating at their finest, from the titular stew to the likes of Boxty, Colcannon and other heartwarming, potato-based dishes. For a little while, this was all you could find in Dublin. Like London, however, the last couple of decades has seen Dublin’s restaurant scene explode, and it’s now a truly exciting culinary destination.

At the top end, places such as Chapter One and The Greenhouse have both been recognised by the Michelin Guide, but it’s at the mid-range / causal dining where this most sociable of cities almost inevitably scores highest, from the street food delights to be found at Eatyard, to the, er, fantastic Mr Fox whose three course lunch / pre-theatre menu is an absolute steal at €28.95.

Dublin Deals

3* Bonnington Dublin 2 nights, departing 25th October from £249pp

4* The North Star, 3 nights, departing 27th October from £199pp

4* Iveagh Garden Hotel, 2 nights, departing  15th October from £159pp

dublin holiday 2019 october last minute deal

October holiday: Dublin is just a short hop away (Image: Getty Images)

Tel Aviv

Israel’s second most populous city has much to recommend it – not least wonderful weather in October. Not too hot, not too cold, it’s the “just right” Goldilocks of cities, with pretty much everything you could look for in a holiday / a few days away and plentiful hotels and accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Whether you want liveliness or a little R&R, Tel Aviv is worth a look. From the remarkable Jaffa Flea Market, to the golden beaches, from local history to architecture, from music (and unusual) festivals to a thriving club scene, to its ultra-exciting food scene, it’s no wonder Tel Aviv has become such a popular tourist destination.

What to see & do

The oldest part of Tel Aviv is Jaffa, and in many respects, it feels like an entirely separate destination. While Tel Aviv is as bustling as any, busy modern city, in Jaffa – with its ever-increasing number of bars, cafes and restaurants – you can pretend you’re in a small, chic village.

Well, for the next few years, it’s rapidly becoming a hot place to visit and live. The central part of Tel Aviv is known as The White City Area, which has also become a hub for food and drink, as well as the ever-expanding cub scene. It’s also fast becoming THE place to stay, with renovated buildings being converted to charming boutique hotels. There are several guided tours across the city to let you get the most out of the architecture.

As well as various music festivals through October, mid-October sees the arrival of the Icon Festival where visitors are encouraged to dress as their favourite fictional character. If your expectations were for humous and history, this colourful splash of cosplay could be the festival to blow away your expectations.

tel aviv holiday 2019 october last minute deal

October holiday: Soak up the culture & gorgeous beach in Tel Aviv (Image: Getty Images)

What to eat

Over the centuries, Israel has become home to many diverse ethnic groups, a mix that’s as evident in the country’s restaurants as it is faces. Arabic sweets, Tunisian boureka, Druze pizza, Iraqi sabich, falafel… you’ll find all of these and considerably more. Expect friendly “arguments” with many locals as to the where you’ll find the best of such dishes: take all advice, try them all and make up your own mind.

If you’re on limited time or budget – or just want to fit into the clothes you’ve brought with you – make time for a few hours in Carmel Market, the city’s largest market, where you’ll also find clothing and electronics for sale, alongside amazingly fresh fruit and vegetables and spices. If food tourism is your thing, do seek out one of the many excellent food tours that will give you a fine grounding in the many classic dishes, and incredible food culture, of Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv Deals

4* Leonardo Art Tel Aviv, departing 31st October, flights & 4 nights, bed & breakfast from £599pp

5* Renaissance Tel Aviv, departing 31st October, flights & 4 nights, bed & breakfast from £799pp

4* Dan Panorama Tel Aviv, departing 15th October, flights & 3 nights, bed & breakfast from £599pp

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