Off-season holidays: what to look out for when choosing a destination?
Low season holidays in September, October or November are popular with those who prefer fewer crowds when travelling and who are looking for bargain prices. These are also perfect for anyone who was unable to take their holiday in the high season.
When thinking about low-season holidays, it’s worth choosing destinations that don’t completely shut down at the end of August. Destinations with access to tourist attractions,rich gastronomic options and a good hotel base all year round. After all, not everyone feels like holidaying somewhere completely empty. Also, do pay attention to flight prices: the closer the destination, the lower the flight costs.
Where to go on holiday in autumn?
Wondering where to go for a warm holiday this October? See what destinations we recommend for a lower-season holiday.
Despite what you might believe, an exotic holiday in October or November doesn’t necessarily mean an expensive trip to the other side of the world. Southern Europe has plenty to offer out of season and we have five great suggestions for destinations that will welcome you with sunny weather once the peak season is over. The appeal of the destinations is enhanced by great prices for holidays on eSky.co.uk combining flights with accommodation.
Where can you go on holiday abroad when temperatures drop? Tried-and-tested autumn holiday destinations include the Canary Islands, Malta, Madeira, Majorca and the Algarve. Amazing attractions await you there – from spectacular volcanoes to peaceful national parks; historic cities like Valletta and Mdina to picturesque levadas and tropical gardens; beautiful mountain hikes to enchanting cliffs and sea caves. Each of these places is renowned for its local cuisine, relaxing beaches and pleasant sea swimming temperatures. Here are our suggestions for cheap autumn holidays.
Where to go on holiday in October? Marvellous Malta
If an exotic holiday in October or November is on your mind, head toMalta! This small Mediterranean archipelago (made up of the three main islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino, plus a few smaller, uninhabited islets) sits between Sicily and the African coast, meaning high air and water temperatures. It’s a good off-season holiday destination if you want to relax on the beach and catch a bit of sun in autumn.
There are noticeably fewer tourists here after summer and the attractions, beaches and restaurants all become more intimate. What is worth seeing? How about the UNESCO World Heritage site of Valletta, with St John’s Cathedral or Grand Master’s Palace? Or the delightful mediaeval Mdina, known as the quiet city? If you prefer less obvious destinations, head to the islets of Gozo and Comino. Spectacular views, azure lagoons and trekking trails among the greenery await you here. Malta also hosts culinary festivals in autumn, where you can sample seafood, local wine and sweet pastizzi cakes.
Where to go on holiday after the high season? We choose Madeira
Madeira also deserves a special mention. Here you can enjoy a warm holiday, even in January! Madeira is known as the island of eternal spring for good reason due to its constant mild weather conditions almost all year round. In autumn, you can expect temperatures of around 20-25 degrees Celsius, ideal for walks along the traditional irrigation canals known as levadas. The most famous trails wind their way through lush nature and offer views of the sea; these include the Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Levada dos 25 Fontes and Levada do Rei. The mountain trails to Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo – the island’s highest peaks – are equally beautiful.
Planning a holiday in Madeira for September and October? The picturesque traditional villages such as Santana, São Vicente and Porto Moniz are ideal for a visit then, with many smaller villages hosting local harvest festivals at this time. In Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, for example, you can hit the Wine Festival, while in Curral das Freiras, it is time for the Chestnut Festival. This is a great opportunity to combine relaxation with tasting famous Madeira wines, accompanied by delicacies such as espetada beef skewers and seafood. The accommodation here is very rich and you can relax in a variety of hotels, including all-inclusive ones.
A warm holiday in October? Head to Mallorca
If you are wondering where to fly for your October holiday, consider Spain. Although the mainland resorts on the Costa del Sol, Costa Brava and Costa Blanca are popular, October is also a great time to fly to Majorca. This island has beautiful beaches such as Es Trenc, Cala Millor and Cala d’Or, with clear water and soft sand. But you can also spend time here being active, for example on the trails in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you like sightseeing during your holiday, it is worth planning a stay in towns such as Valldemossa, Deià or Sóller, as well as the monument-packed capital of the island, Palma, with its impressive La Seu Cathedral and Bellver Castle. Fans of laid-back Spanish l fun will certainly enjoy the festivals and agricultural fairs that take place here in autumn, such as the Fira de Llucmajor, Dijous Bo and the wine festival Festa des Vermar. Mallorca is a great choice not only for a long holiday in October, but also for shorter trips. It is also worth choosing this destination if you are wondering where to fly to for a weekend in autumn with your loved one.
Where to go for a seaside break after the high season?
Still not sure where to fly in September for an overseas holiday? Opt for Portugal’s Algarve coast, where you’ll enjoy peace and quiet as there are fewer tourists during the off-peak season. The beaches are varied: rocky, pebbly and sandy. Popular among the former are Praia dos Arrifes or Praia do Carvalho, surrounded by cliffs. Golden sand, awaits you on one of the region’s most beautiful beaches, Praia da Marinha, as well as Praia de Dona Ana or Praia do Amado.
The Algarve in October – the perfect time and place for an off-season holiday
In autumn, the southern region of Portugal is also good for sightseeing. Head to Faro to see its Cidade Velha, or Old Town, surrounded by 16th-century walls. Also worth seeing are the postcard-perfect cliffs, caves and rock arches at Ponta da Piedade and youcan take a short cruise there to admire them from the sea. See charming Silves with its impressive Moorish castle and a striking cathedral combining different architectural styles. Don’t want to fly to Portugal with a travel agency because you prefer to travel on your own? Take a look at our Algarve holidays tab. You can combine a flight and a hotel of your preferred standard in one easy booking. You’ll find everything from budget guesthouses to elegant all-inclusive hotels
We hope we have inspired you and you now know where to fly in September and October 2024 for your European holiday. You can look forward to great weather and attractive prices at each of these destinations, as prices for trips drop in autumn. Hop over to the holidays tab on eSky.co.uk now and check out our suggestions that combine flights with accommodation.
