October Vacation Ideas
I’ve gone through the list of possible vacation ideas to narrow it down to those that make the most sense during an October vacation. Don’t worry – there are plenty of memorable options to choose from. Here are my favorites:
New England – Avoid the fall foliage traffic on a cruise. You get to enjoy 4-5 ports of call while relaxing amidst the amenities of a cruise ship. You are sure to see some spectacular color while the leaves change. For those who don’t like cruises, our alternative vacation is a Vermont mountain getaway. While New England may have the best fall leaves in the world, it isn’t the only place where you can do an October mountain retreat.
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Gatlinburg, TN – Try a mountain retreat in the Great Smoky Mountains to avoid the New England weekend traffic while still taking in the changing of the leaves. The alternative to Gatlinburg is Asheville, NC, where you will be in for similar fun.
Munich – Would you want to be in Munich any other time of the year? Oktoberfest, usually the last two weeks in September and the first week in October, brings millions to Munich but is worth fighting the crowds.
Napa Valley – Napa Valley is synonymous with wine. And the wine harvest is an especially popular time to enjoy the vineyards and bed & breakfasts of Napa Valley.
Italy – Sightseeing in Venice, Florence, Tuscany, and Rome, oh my! The weather and lack of crowds makes it a great time of the year to visit Italy. For a suggestion on the other side of the world, try New Zealand and Australia.
New York City – Stay close to home with a weekend getaway to the big city. There’s plenty to do in the city that never sleeps. In the south, try Charleston, SC or Savannah, GA. Only 2 hours apart, they have great weather, the Tast of Charleston, ghost tours, and fabulous accommodations at historic hotels and B&Bs. On the west coast, try Santa Fe or San Diego.
Hawaii – The approach of winter doesn’t mean that you have to retire your swimsuit in October. The weather is beautiful in Hawaii year round. If it is a beach that you are looking for, other October beach destinations are Placencia, Brazil and the always popular Indian Ocean Islands of Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles.
National Parks – Crowds at our national parks are smaller during the fall. Do a tour of the five national parks of Utah. Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands. Or settle in and explore one like Yosemite. You won’t regret it.
Iceland – Considering adding Iceland to your list of vacation ideas to attempt to see the Northern Lights at the beginning of their season. October in Iceland also brings the Iceland Airways Music Festival and the Reykjavik International Film Festival. For a change of pace from the cultural events, try your hand at fishing for sea trout.