Where to go on holiday in October 2016

For beach bums...

Short haul: Patmos, Greece
 
Not only is the weather mild and sunny in Patmos in October, you’ll escape the crowds and over-development that can plague some of the better known, and more accessible, Greek islands. One of the northernmost of the Dodecanese Islands, it’s only accessible by a three-hour ferry from Kos or Samos, but the extra hassle is totally worth it: discover typical whitewashed houses, gorgeous pebble and sand beaches, and great food, with even the simplest tavernas serving delicious fresh-caught fish. All this with a spiritual slant. too: the Monastery of St John the Theologian dominates the skyline, and John is alleged to have written the book of Revelation in a nearby cave.
 

 
Long haul: Seychelles
 
Come for the breathtaking beaches and stay for the Creole culture. That's the message from islanders to visitors enjoying Seychelles's exclusive five-star resorts, each invited to celebrate Festival Kreol this October. The annual, week-long event is a chance for tourists to immerse themselves in the unique Seychellois culture and leave the beach towels behind - if only for a day. Blessed with warm and wind-free conditions, October is also the perfect month to enjoy the Seychelles's idyllic coastline. Beaches like Anse Source D’Argent and Beau Vallon are heaven to behold and conditions should be perfect for scuba diving, a rare chance to glimpse some of the exuberant marine life thriving off this archipelago.
 

 
For city slickers...

Short haul: Marrakech, Morocco 
 
Summer may have ended in Europe, but fear not: a short plane trip will take you to the exotic, chaotic and intoxicating Marrakech, where temperatures can go up to 30°C during the day. Haggle at the souk for artisanal crafts such as ornate lanterns, patterned tea glasses and leather goods, and visit the thousand-year-old market square Djemaa el-Fna at sunset. Here you can sample street food and be entertained by a seemingly endless procession of musicians, magicians, snake charmers and fortune-tellers. Stay in a riad hotel (a traditional Moroccan house with a courtyard) in the medina, and if the hustle and bustle gets overwhelming you can always escape for a day trip to Essaouira on the coast, or into the Atlas Mountains.
 
 
Long haul: Amman, Jordan
 
October marks the centenary of Lawrence of Arabia’s arrival in Jordan. 100 years since the start of the Great Arab Revolt, the country is now a beacon of stability in the Middle East. To follow in the footsteps of T. E. Lawrence, take a flight to the capital Amman - today a sprawling city of modern business districts dotted alongside Roman relics - before setting off into the desert, a copy of Lawrence’s ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’ clutched firmly under one arm. October is the perfect time of year to see the great Wadi Rum valley and Rose City reds of Petra, avoiding Jordan's blistering summer heat and bitingly cold winter nights. Finally, leave the land of desert adventure behind and rest up in the coastal city of Aqaba, its sea waters abundant with eagle rays and turtles at this time of year.
 

 
For Thrill Seekers...

Short haul: Split, Croatia
 
The locals of Split love extreme sports and are more than ready to take you on some adventures, and in October the weather is certainly still sunny and mild enough. Why not give canyoning in the Cetina River a whirl? Hike down canyon cliffs to the river and swim, slide and clamber downstream, abseiling down any waterfalls on the way. You can also rock climb, or mountain bike. Beach sports on offer include canoeing, surfing, water-skiing and diving. Try Croactive Holidays (www.croactive-holidays.com) or Raftrek Adventure Travel (www.raftrek.com).
 

Long haul: Kasanka National Park, Zambia 
 
Go batty for one of nature’s greatest spectacles; the largest mammal migration in the world. Zambia's Kasanka National Park plays witness to the arrival of more than eight million straw-coloured fruit bats from the Congo from early October, all attracted by the park's wild musuku fruits. One of wildlife’s best kept secrets, the sight of vivid twilight skies dotted with thousands of migrating birds at sundown is a once-in-a-lifetime draw. The Kasanka National Park offers sanctuary to hundreds of other exotic creatures, from buffalo to leopards, green-headed sunbirds to the blue monkey, making it the perfect destination for a week-long safari.