As fall approaches, the leaves start turning and daylight hours start to decline. Don’t put your summer gear away just yet though – there are still plenty of places to catch some autumn sun. Here’s are some top spots for a fall vacation, whether you want to chill out on a beach, spend Halloween at the theme parks or see traditional fall foliage at its best.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando summers are known for being hot and humid, with highs that can be too much for some visitors to handle. October gives way to more temperate weather in the region, making it a prime time to visit if you want to enjoy the attractions without being hampered by the heat.
If you’re visiting with the kids in tow, head to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party which kicks off at Disney World in late August and runs through early November. The event includes the Happy Hallowishes fireworks display, Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween parade and the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show in front of Cinderella Castle.
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival also runs through October, and is a must-visit for gourmands from across the globe. This food-lover’s paradise offers tapas-style dishes from more than 30 global marketplaces. It also features culinary demonstrations, beverage and cheese seminars, and celebrity guest speakers.
If you’re looking for spookier fall vacation fun, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is one of the most intense Halloween events in Orlando. It features terrifying haunted houses that bring to life the most frightening films and television shows ever, plus high-energy live shows, freaky scare zones and roaming zombies around the park.
Orlando isn’t all about the theme parks though. You can check out the ever-expanding dining scene in Downtown and Winter Park, you can shop ’til you drop at the innumerable shopping malls or tee off on some of the world’s most famous golf courses. The beginning of the school year is the best time to come if you prefer it quieter, and prices dwindle (just like the lines).
Cabo, Mexico
If your idea of a fall vacation is chilling out on a beach, sipping a salt-crusted margarita, then Cabo in Mexico is the place to go. A heady mix of hot sun, warm sea and fun things to do, Cabo is the ultimate place to let your hair down on a fall getaway.
The water tempertaure is perfect in October, so a day trip to the popular snorkeling spot of Playa Santa Maria should be at the top of your vacation to-do list. Hailed as one of the best snorkeling beaches in the region, this horseshoe-shaped bay is tucked between 2 coastal bluffs and overlooks a protected marine sanctuary teeming with colorful sea life.
October is a prime month for deep-sea fishing in Cabo, and the waters around the region are loaded with big-game fish, reeling in anglers from all over the world. The area hosts 2 of the most famous deep-sea fishing tournaments at this time of year. Bisbees Offshore Tournament is usually held in the second or third week of the month, and the Black & Blue Tournament is held shortly after. Fans can watch each day’s shotgun start from Medano Beach and see huge fish being weighed in at the marina at the end of the day.
Adrenaline junkies can get a spectacular bird’s eye view of Cabo on a powered hang-glider tour which takes you on a flight around the Pacific Coast, the iconic Land’s End area and the picturesque Tourist Corridor. If you prefer an on-land adventure you can join a guided hiking tour and explore the region’s desert canyons, hilltop waterfalls and stunning coastal landscape.
Los Angeles, California
While golden fall foliage may be sparse in sunny Los Angeles, there’s no shortage of fun things to do if you’re planning a fall vacation. It’s October, so there’s plenty of Halloween spirit around, and you’ll easily lose track of time among the streets fairs, fall concerts, Halloween parties and other fun festivals.
Be prepared for crowds at the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival which is the largest Halloween street party in the world. This global festival attracts around half a million revelers each year and features an amazing display of costumes, dancing, drinking and mid-parade costume contests. Even if you don’t intend on entering one, you should still come dressed in your Halloween best!
If Halloween isn’t really your holiday, then celebrate the end of the summertime crowds by visiting at the start or mid-way through the month. Temperatures are warm and pleasant, so it’s prime time for exploring the ‘City of 88 Cities’.
You can catch a free show at one of LA’s best live music offerings which features some of the finest jazz musicians in Southern California. Or indulge your inner foodie and shopaholic at the weekly Smorgasburg LA food market in the Arts district. Beer fiends will love the LA Beer Hop which takes you on a brewery tour around each LA neighbourhood. And visitors of all ages will delight at the Museum of Ice Cream which is open through the fall.
Greece, Europe
Visiting Greece in October does mean you’ll have a slightly increased chance of rain compared with summertime, but there’s still plenty of sunshine across the country. It tends to be quieter in October too, especially if you visit during the school term time.
If you’re spending your fall vacation with your significant other, you may prefer to stay in Santorini which is known as the most romantic of all the Greek islands. Santorini has fantastic 5-star restaurants, luxury boutiques, and clutches of pretty whitewashed buildings lining the cliffside. Popular with honeymooners, it’s a place for strolling hand in hand while admiring scenic views, enjoying a wine-tasting session in one of the many vineyards, and eating exquisitely cooked food overlooking a volcanic caldera.
For a livelier vibe, you’ll love Mykonos – it’s one of the glitziest and most popular tourist destinations in the country. By the fall the summer hordes have departed and the sea is at its warmest, so you’re well-placed for swimming and water sports. You’ll also find shops, restaurants and nightclubs galore. And there are plenty of opportunities for day trips and sightseeing.
There are dozens of smaller islands off the main tourist track, where you’ll get a true taste of traditional everyday Greek life. Greece has plenty to offer on the mainland, too, including buzzing cities and towns, pretty coastal resorts, and world-famous archaeological sites.
The main public event in October is Ohi Day at the end of the month when towns and cities across the country light up with celebratory parades and parties. This is a great time to visit for a fall vacation with all the family, as it’s a national holiday across the country. It also coincides with the Halloween holidays and the UK half term.
The Cotswolds, United Kingdom
If you fancy a complete change of scene, you could spend the fall vacation at a spellbinding hideaway in the idyllic English countryside. Perfect for families, and jam-packed with activities to keep all ages entertained, the Cotswolds region is the ideal spot for a relaxing rural retreat.
The fall vacation is one of the best times to visit the UK to see the arrival of British autumn at its best. The Cotswolds countryside becomes a technicolor Dreamcoat of rich autumn colors, and the mild October temperatures mean you can hike, bike, and frolic around without getting uncomfortably hot.
There are dozens of picturesque towns to explore, like the quaint area of Lechdale-upon-Thames which has a pretty river, a handful of shops, restaurants and pubs, and a 15th-century church made of traditional Cotswold limestone. For a livelier buzz you can head to the larger towns like Witney which is known for its manufacturing of woollen goods, and Cheltenham, with its renowned racecourse and lively nightlife scene.
During the fall vacation, you can take the kids along to Shriek Week, a Halloween-themed farming event, or to the Halloween Steam and Scream at Cheltenham Racecourse. While if you visit earlier in the month you’ll be in time for the rousing Tetbury Music Festival.
If you want to book a fall vacation and you need advice on where to head then contact us today. Additionally, our dedicated concierge team can arrange any added extras you need such as great-value car hire. You can see all of our luxury villas here.
