The Best Places to Travel in October

Often overlooked for its more famous siblings Jaipur and Udaipur, this former medieval trading center in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert is a beauty. Known as the Golden City due to its yellow sandstone architecture, don’t miss the hilltop citadel that is Jaisalmer Fort. This month also marks the onset of the local tourist season, ensuring lively markets, vibrant folk performances, and traditional Rajasthani cuisine without the peak-season crowds. With cultural festivals often beginning to stir and the desert landscape rejuvenated by monsoon traces, October in Jaisalmer promises a magical escape into history, adventure, and natural beauty.

As a fan of Halloween travel, there are few better options that Derry. I found myself in the small city a few years ago in late October and was swept up in a weeks worth of spooky activities that engulf this part of Ireland annually. Its a great spot for an autumnal break with attractions like Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge nearby and the famous The Giant’s Causeway an internationally renowned wonder. If you want to embrace the season, why not stay at Ballygally Castle, supposedly the most haunted hotel in the country? In Derry you can also book a city walls tour which covers the very real past that shaped the region.

Known as the cultural capital of Morocco, this city’s vibrant souks, medieval architecture and walled medina are the perfect excuses to escape for a fall break. Unlike overly touristy Marrakech, you’ll have a bit more room to breathe here and can enjoy some warm temperatures pre-winter. Explore historic treasures like the Al Quaraouiyine University, vibrant tanneries, and ornate madrasas at a relaxed pace. October also breathes life into the bustling souks of Fes, where artisans craft leather goods, ceramics, and textiles, while seasonal harvests enrich local dishes like tagines and pastilla. If you want to by the best Moroccan goods to take home as souvenirs, then this is the best place to visit.

Leave the bustle of Bogota behind and spend a few blissful days in the colonial town of Barichara. Stroll the colourful cobbled streets, read that holiday novel in the shade in one of the plazas or go rafting in the Suárez River canyon. The possibilities are endless and happily affordable.

As the largest of the 13 provinces that make up Canada, Québec has an excellent variety of landscapes, cultures and activities to satisfy every type of traveller. I ventured away from the main cities to explore the lesser-known regions of the Laurentians and Southern Québec to experience an unforgettable autumnal getaway. The colours of the trees are as magical as anywhere else in the world at this time and there are experiences that capitalise on this with remarkable views from viewing platforms, hot air balloons and even ski lifts.

Leave the tourists to Rome and Venice while you kick back in lively Palermo, Sicily’s vibrant capital. Wander through the UNESCO-listed Palermo Cathedral and the dazzling mosaics of the Norman Palace’s Palatine Chapel, then lose yourself in the lively chaos of markets like Ballarò or Vucciria, where vendors hawk fresh figs, olives, and arancini. Stroll the Baroque splendor of Quattro Canti and the serene cloisters of San Giovanni degli Eremiti. Savour seasonal specialties like wild mushrooms and pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines), paired with local Nero d’Avola wines.