Where to go in October

Apr 25, 2012 1:23:28 AM

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Travelling in October? Consider one of these destinations from the experts at Lonely Planet Magazine:

New England

There are few better ways to see the season in its full glory than a leaf-peeping road trip through New England. Head for Maine’s Acadia National Park, taking in the fishing village of Bar Harbor en route, for an unforgettable palette of natural splendour.

Further reading: More how-to with our guide to New England foliage trips; a perfect one-day itinerary for Boston; and more.

Japan

Carrying on with the foliage theme, autumn in Japan is a good time to travel, with pleasant temperatures and soothing colours; the autumn foliage pattern reverses that of the sakura (cherry blossoms), starting in the north sometime in October and peaking across most of Honshū around November.

Further reading: Tokyo doesn’t have to be expensive if you follow these budget tips; or check out this guide to Japanese etiquette, and more.

Venice

A place with such unique appeal as Venice will always be busy, but October nicely strikes the balance between mild-ish weather and a lapse in the tourist flood. To really beat the crowds, try a walk around the Piazza San Marco at dawn.

Further reading: An author recommends what to do for a perfect day in Venice; we’ve got a mini-guide to Guidecca (just across the canal); the city’s best back alley bars; and more.

West Country, England

Image by El Bichólogo Errante

It’s apple-picking season in Somerset and Herefordshire – time for tranquil orchards, snuffling pigs and lashings of cider. Head for Burrow Hill farm in Martock for a great introduction to the traditions of this most ancient of drinks (ciderbrandy.co.uk).

Further reading: Plan a holiday with our mini-guide to Somerset; how to follow the Somerset cider trail; and more.

Morocco

The temperatures in North Africa begin to slide down the thermometer to ‘bearable’ this month, making the evocative narrow streets and medinas of Fès or Marrakesh a great option.

Further reading: Our author shares some essential tips for first-time visitors; a guide to Marrakesh with children; and more.

Where to avoid: Thailand

Imagine how fantastic Thailand can be – turquoise seas, white sands, cocktails on the beach. In October, flip-reverse that image – raging, black waters, gluey mud, torrential rain. Not so much fun now, eh? Wait a couple of months for the end of the monsoon.

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Comments

7 September 2010 1:35PM bipin Report this comment
Thanks for the choices but you forgot to give informations about Nepal. It's best season to visit Nepal for it's lush vegetation, Great mountains and wildlife.
8 September 2010 4:11PM bhutan4you Report this comment
I would really say, the detail informations helps the travellers but I would appreciate if you could add BHUTAN as October (Autumn)season are the ideal time for trekking, when skies are clear and the high peaks are visible.
17 September 2010 11:04PM bobbvv Report this comment
In "where not to go" I was wondering, since this is the hurricaine season, would the gulf states be a place one would want to avoid?
24 September 2010 3:13AM chaos23akb Report this comment
this is oh so wrong ..because the moonsoon season does not interfere everypart in thailand. been traveling there for now four years in a row and what did I got ...approx. 5 days of rain, altogether. eastern coast will be fine.
23 August 2011 3:22PM moeparkin Report this comment
Yellowstone! We went a few years ago the week before the park 'closes' for the winter. We had winter, autumn and summer in different parts of the park over different days. It's also a great time of year for photography (although when is it not in Yellowstone?) and the wildlife is also on the move, we saw two male elks fighting, a grizzly, the elusive wolves and more bison than you could count. Best of all, we almost literally had the park to ourselves. Do be prepared for the odd road closure if the winter weather comes early!
31 August 2011 10:40AM bexfrank Report this comment
BOBBVV -generally Hurricanes are come and gone by mid Sept, and October is one of the most favored times to be in New Orleans = for locals and visitors alike. The stifling summer heat finally breaks, everyone is on a good mood. Halloween and Festival season are not quite started, so the city and region are not filled with tourists. As for the beach - you may be too late for great swimming, but all hotels go into discounts and there are plenty of great outdoor activities to participate in during Oct and Nov.
5 September 2011 11:39AM jack87 Report this comment
One the one hand, there will be a precious vacation. On the other hand, you will face the crowd. So, I am thinking about desert(like Badain Jaran in Northwestern China), anyway, the populus forest there shows its beauty only during this period.