If October half term is your last chance for a family holiday in 2014, you'll want to make sure you head for somewhere hot and sunny before the Christmas madness begins!
With the cold weather, no Bank Holidays until the end of the year and the days getting darker earlier, it's the perfect time to escape on an exotic adventure with the children. Portugal, Mauritius and North Cyprus are fantastic options for warm seas, long days at the beach and getting active with water sports.
Culture vultures will love Jordan for its Roman ruins, epic scenery and delicious food, while those who fancy an all American getaway should look no further than Arizona, where the children can explore their surroundings on horseback, have fun with cookouts and campfires, and Tucson-inspired massages await the adults.
Whether you fancy a relaxing family holiday or an action-packed trip filled with exciting adventures, there are many destinations to experience sunshine, fewer crowds and hot weather in October.
Tuscany, for example, is perfect in October, when you can expect fewer crowds at the sites and warm temperatures of 20C. A villa is a great option for families, looking for freedom, plenty of outdoor space and stunning views.
Bali is a wonderful destination for October as it is before the wet season starts and families can take advantage of low prices, dry days and 30C heat.
From Fuerteventura to Florida, see our pick of the best places to go for sunshine this October half term...
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October is the last month of winter in Mauritius, when temperatures reach as high as 26C during the day (that's practically summer for us!). Visiting this Indian Ocean island is a real treat for children and to ensure you and your family make the most of your time in Mauritius during your half term getaway, guests staying at Heritage The Villas, on the south coast, can book a new Family, Camera, Action Holiday, which encourages families to get out into the wild outdoors. From quad biking in the estate’s own nature reserve, to kite surfing at the on-site water sports school, there is a whole host of activities to enjoy. The two to four-bedroom villas were designed with families in mind and there is plentiful space for the kids to run around. The Family, Camera, Action Holiday costs from £4,289 per family (four sharing) for seven nights on a B&B basis, and includes the holiday planning service (a checklist asking each family member what they would like to do on their holiday for the concierge to tailor-make a suggested itinerary), quad biking or a Fauna and Flora Discovery Tour with a family photo-shoot, a family golfing lesson, a kite surfing lesson or catamaran boat trip, and airport transfers.
Autumn in Finland is especially breathtaking and defined by the spectacular golden explosion in the northern forests, where the ground is covered by fallen leaves and dotted with a collection of gourmet woodland gifts. 'Ruska', as the season is referred to, is when you can enjoy the abundant forests and pick berries and mushrooms for free under the Finland's 'everyman's right', which allows open access to forests for foraging regardless of land ownership. Nuuksio National Park offers a three-hour guided nature hikes taking in the best picking places for mushrooms and berries, which costs 75€ per person including transport from Helsinki or Espoo.
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