It’s funny isn’t it the more you travel, the stronger the desire to see more of the world becomes. Finland is right up there as somewhere we’re keen to explore and we have a list as long as your arm of the places we’d love to discover there. At this time of year, you can’t help but dream about capturing the Northern Lights. Finland is one of the best places in the world to hunt the remarkable Auroras and there’s no shortage of places to stay.
There are some magnificent caves in the world, like the Vatnajokull Glacier in Iceland, Batu in Malaysia and the Marble Caves in Patagonia. For us white water rafting in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in North Island, New Zealand was certainly a memorable experience. Right up there too however has to be the spectacular El Soplao Caves in Cantabria.
For October, our top ten picks featured the likes of Mauritius, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marrakech with the Canary Islands a good option if you’re looking for sun in the winter months. This month features some absolute gems and kicks off with a personal favourite too. As always make sure you plan before you travel to make the most out of your trip.
We had the best time aboard the Cap Finistère and Pont-Aven cruise ships with Brittany Ferries. One of the highlights was certainly dolphin spotting while in the Bay of Biscay. A pretty special experience especially for five year old POD who screamed so loudly, some might have thought there was a man overboard!
It’s that time of year when we can’t help but think about Glühwein, bratwurst in crusty rolls and the smell of cinnamon. I don’t know about you but we love Christmas markets. In London there’s the Southbank Christmas market with Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland also a favourite. Outside the capital, Christmas markets can be found in the likes of Bath, Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Lincoln, Manchester, York and Winchester among other places. While each are wonderful in their own right, we have a penchant for Europe. There are some incredible Christmas markets to visit if you fancy a weekend away.
We used to go on many an adventure as a couple although holidays as a three have morphed into much of the same. Our recent trip to the Picos de Europa in Cantabria saw five year old POD climb a mountain, swim in a river and experience a cable car. I love that she’s inherited our passion for exploration. Her needs will always come first when it comes to planning a holiday which is what makes the Family Travel Show great. It’s the UK’s only event dedicated to family holiday destinations and we’re giving you the opportunity to get two adult tickets for free (under 16’s go free).
We’ve welcomed the return of autumn with open arms but there is a distinct chill in the mornings and the evenings are certainly becoming darker. What better time to think about a winter break! Here are our top ten suggestions for where to go in October. As with any holiday, research your trip before you book to ensure you get the most out of it. Some attractions may close earlier so plan your itinerary before you travel.
With its lagoons, beaches and coral reefs, the volcanic island of Mauritius offers lots to do from the Safari and Bird Park, the Giant Tortoise Park and Vallée des Couleurs to the Kids Adventure Park, Ile Aux Aigrettes Island and Château de Labourdonnais. Like many of the tropical islands, it has good weather all year round too with temperatures in October an average of 25°C.
Here in the UK, there are numerous places we can admire those autumnal hues. From Winkworth Arboretum (a personal favourite) to the Lake District, Forest of Dean, the Cotswolds and of course Westonbirt Arboretum. But if we were to go anywhere in the world, where would we go?
With over 70% of Japan covered with deciduous forest, autumn colour is immense. Initially colour is reserved for the mountains which are accessible by train, bus or ropeway. The second half of the autumn season sees colour descend into Japan’s cities in the parks and gardens. Popular spots include Kiyomizudera, Tofukuji Temple and Eikando in Kyoto to name just a few.
The scenery in the Liébana region of Northern Spain is spectacular. The route along the CA-185 from Potes to Fuente Dé engulfed by huge mountains with the pretty Rio Deva river running adjacent. With not even a cloud in the sky, our excitement was at fever pitch as we drove along the beautiful winding roads.
It’s many years since we crammed our belongings into backpacks and took our first long-haul flights from Heathrow. As part of our ‘gap year’ our itineraries included stays in Australia and New Zealand. We were actually in Australia at the same time but didn’t meet for another 3 years back in the UK.
