October in Europe holidays

Sicily is still like summer in October and has plenty of cultural interest. Paphos in Cyprus is also worth a visit.

Italy. The lakes for scenery and boat trips or Umbria for places like Assisi and other hilltop towns with loads of cultural opportunities or Tuscany with similar oportunities. And mustn’t forget the Amalfi coast. I’ve been to all those in October and it’s been perfect sightseeing weather with fewer crowds.

Viking River Cruise do a brilliant Portugal trip on the Doro. Autumn is perfect. We went in October.

As long as the drought hasn’t affected river levels I suppose.

Porto or Lisbon, you could even combine the two.

My absolute favourite place which would fit what you’ve described you want perfectly is Florence. I haven’t been anywhere else as beautiful and packed with art, architecture and ambience.

Casdon

My absolute favourite place which would fit what you’ve described you want perfectly is Florence. I haven’t been anywhere else as beautiful and packed with art, architecture and ambience.

I was just about to suggest Florence. It’s also easy to get to Pisa, San Gimignano and Siena from there.
All beautiful Cities.

Another for Italy here!
Rome if it's a short visit as so easy to get to and you can walk the city easily. Lots to do, fabulous back streets, less bustling than the summer. Hotels and restaurants to suit every budget. No need for a car.

If you want to travel a bit more I'd go further south to Puglia and Basilicata.
Spend a few days in Matera and visit the rupestrian churches - maybe stay in a cave hotel - then go over to Paestum where there are THREE fabulous ancient Greek temples and a great museum (and the best mozzarella ever).

Italy is fabulous.
Have a lovely celebratory time.

Of course Paestum is in Campania.

I would recommend Seville at that time of the year. It is such a beautiful city and there are other interesting places nearby.

Ooh,yes, Seville is lovely!

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I am surprised to see Tuscany and northern Italy mentionned here for late October- for someone who wants to avoid winter woolies tbh. Rome or Puglia, yes, or Amalfi coast.

I'd go for Sicily too, my favourite region being Ortigia in the SW or Cefalu in the NE.

Or Seville, yes, with a trip to Cordoba (by train, its great).

There some photos of Seville there, but they’ve failed to appear!

Go to Rhodes. Lovely weather, spectacular old town- think Knights Templar, Knights Hospitaller, middle ages. Lovely places to visit-Lindos, butterfly valley. And if you want a great day trip take a boat to Simi.
What date are you going? 28th October in Greece is Ochi Day. The day the Greek PM said "No" to the Germans. It's celebrated in all the towns with parades of schoolchildren etc.

So pleased to hear such positive things about Italy. We're off there in October too. Thanks Rosie for starting this thread.

We're off to Seville in early October and are glad that it is much recommended. Cordoba and Cadiz are train trips we are looking forward to. Train travel is cheap and on time unlike at home!!

Trying again with Seville photos

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Thanks all, some great suggestions.

Glorianny We're going to Rhodes in September. For a silly reason, I wasn't really looking forward to it, but your description of it has made me feel much better. Time to pack the gladrags!

We've previously done Granada and a Mediterranean cruise including Montenegro, Corfu etc. in October. Lovely weather.

Fleurpepper

I am surprised to see Tuscany and northern Italy mentionned here for late October- for someone who wants to avoid winter woolies tbh. Rome or Puglia, yes, or Amalfi coast.

I'd go for Sicily too, my favourite region being Ortigia in the SW or Cefalu in the NE.

Or Seville, yes, with a trip to Cordoba (by train, its great).

Be warned though that the Amalfi coast is likely to see spells of very heavy rain at the end of October, the last time I was there the road between Sorrento and Amalfi was closed, which happens quite often in the winter months, and I thought Sorrento itself was a bit dull (apologies to Sorrento fans). The temperature in Florence averages about 18 degrees by the very end of October, but there’s so much to see even if it does rain that if you do get a wet day you won’t be bored - and the autumn markets in Tuscany are amazing. I don’t know Puglia, I’d agree about Rome, although I do prefer Florence, it’s not so full of traffic, so nicer to walk round. Rhodes is also a great choice. Wish I was going myself!

Juliet27

As long as the drought hasn’t affected river levels I suppose.

I suppose, depends on the bus system. The Rhine was low a few years ago while we were on a cruise, we were driven in lovely buses, through beautiful countryside, around one low area of the river (near the Lorelei). Then back on the boat as if nothing happened.