October in Europe holidays

Just remembered a glorious holiday in Gozo! It was September but really warm still. I would definitely be happy to go there again. We stayed in a beautiful villa with its own pool. The car hire was cheaper than most places, the local people were warm and helpful and we loved the relative "wildness" of it. Even with teenagers it was a relaxing holiday.
Ggantija was tiny but fascinating.
heritagemalta.mt/explore/ggantija-temples/

Southern Turkey stays warm throughout October. I swam every day and feel the cold. A flight from Antalya to Istanbul is very cheap. Not my scene. I go if I feel like it to visit the in laws who aren’t Turkish and live in the middle of nowhere. Athens could still be warm.

No Lucca, we went to the church in the same piazza last time we were there as part of some loose research. We said we'd go back as we were staying in a flat just over the Ponte Sisto so no excuse really - but in the end we went out to lunch with a woman we met just walking around - and then had to leave as we were going on to Rieti and Petrella Salto.

Thanks for reminding me though. #nexttime

I think I'm narrowing it down to Rhodes, Florence, Cyprus, Seville or even somewhere else in Italy ? Indecisive, moi.... I'm not sure Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm website hopping and am sure I will find somewhere good having picked your collective brains,
Glorianny if Rhodes wins out I'm tempted to change the proposed dates to include the festival you mention.

Cyprus can still be lovely and warm in October.

CatsCatsCats

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!

There are some tacky bits, like all holiday resorts now, but it has some stunningly beautiful places as well. I'd compare Rhodes town to York- similar atmosphere, well preserved buildings but much better weather. And the acropolis at Lindos is amazing. Hope you enjoy it. If you get stressed out do take a boat trip to Symi, completely different atmosphere and scenery.

Eccola

I do like Rome ! We went just before pandemic and noticed the deterioration. My brother was there last week and said the same about taxis, mess etc,

Have you ever been to the antica spezeria in the Trastevere district? Fascinating old pharmacy basically.

I am SO sorry you don't like Rome!!
I think it's fabulous. We tend to stay in a flat right in the centre where the every-day sounds make you feel like a local. We use cafés that the locals use and really are happy there.

Yes, it's not all squeaky clean - and none of it is like, say, Stockholm, but it's full of life and small so easy to get about.
We haven't been since the pandemic but have never had any trouble getting a taxi.
Maybe this deterioration has happened all at once.
... I would return in a heartbeat.

But maybe I'm looking for different things than you. After all, I also loved Naples when we stayed there - and that has definitely got plenty of less salubrious areas!

Crete is often still very warm in October and there’s Knossos to visit.

I agree about Rome - avoid it if possible. I don't agree that you can walk around easily - the pavements are cracked, broken, full of potholes, and extremely narrow. The distances are short-ish, but you can't enjoy the sights as you have to watch where you're stepping. The city has so much to offer but it is all run-down and badly presented. Such a pity.

The South of Spain is perfect. We were there a few years ago in September and it was 44° at 6 pm. An exception, of course, but it should certainly be pleasantly warm. Such a richness of historical sites and culture, Angela's pictures only scratch the surface!

We did a coach tour (the distances can be surprisingly long if you want to fit a lot in. ) DH didn't like the idea of driving, and the coach tour covered exactly the right places, so that suited us fine. We tacked on a week in a holiday resort to recover.

NotSpaghetti

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.

Rome has got a bit seedy? Scruffy? Lots of bin strikes, hard to get taxis etc.

Lucca?

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.

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!

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

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!

Thanks all, some great suggestions.

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Trying again with Seville photos

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!!

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

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.

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

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).