Top seven places to travel in October 2026

If you live in the northern hemisphere, taking a holiday in October is like adding seltzer to the season. It injects bubbles into back-to-work banality and sparkles things up a bit on the road to winter. In southern Europe, you have the hills and trails to yourself, and yet the temperatures are still soothing. It’s also harvest season, with prolific wine, beer and food festivals, all dating back to ancient traditions of showing gratitude for earth’s generosity. You can give a nod to nature’s gifts in some pretty spectacular places in October too, such as the Umbria region in Italy, Tara National Park in Serbia or the Serra da Estrela Mountains in Portugal. Or further afield in Bali, getting in just before the rainy season. Check out our top places to travel in October and then, just add bubbles.

Walking in Umbria

Given that Umbria is where the umber reddish brown pigment came from, which translates as terra d’ombra, or earth of Umbria, travelling here during the season when its trees start to match their earth, is pretty special. All year round Umbria is an earthy and exquisite place, with a whole palette of prettiness to explore. But as our Umbrian collection is available throughout October, and indeed some of them even creep into November, this is a great time to explore it without the crowds. And, as it’s only an hour from Rome, you can even combine it with a quieter city break. Some of our most popular Umbrian utopias include Walking in the Lake Bolsena region, exploring the tranquil trails of the Cammino dei Borghi Silenti, or exploring the region by e-bike. It’s also the grape harvest season of course, and with Orvieto as the main hub on many of our tours, you won’t be short of wine and wanderlust.

Lake Bolsena may not be as famous as Garda or Como, but it’s a beauty.

Head high in Bali

If you want to go high, and also keep dry, one of the best times to go to Bali for hiking well off the tourist trail is in October, which is before the rainy season kicks in. It’s also a cheaper time for flights as it’s after the school holidays. As our walking holiday takes you into Bali’s remote highlands, you avoid some of the lowlands’ extreme temperatures in October too, with averages around 27C. This region of Bali is never too packed, however, exploring well off the tourist trail, seeking out the highlands and rainforest and traditional Tabanan region villages, with a private guide and local expert.

Hydrangeas are one of many flowers grown by farmers in Bali and thrive from spring to late autumn.

Hiking in Serbia

A bit like its megastar tennis player who put it on the map, Serbia is silent, strong and has a grand slam of glories under its belt. They just don’t shout about it. However, it’s starting to be noticed by hikers who want an ace adventure in a Balkan country with a growing track record. Which is why we’re delighted to bring two new Serbian hiking tours to the adventure arena, both available in October. One is in Tara National Park, famous for Drina River Canyon and the other in Fruška Gora National Park, a short spa break with mountains and monasteries in the mix. Serbia just keeps serving aces.

A lone house in the Drina River, enveloped by seasonal foliage changes. It’s all just too picture perfect in Serbia in autumn.

Serra da Estrela, Portugal

There are more stars to be had in Portugal’s Serra da Estrela, translated as Mountains of the Stars, and October is also your last chance to enjoy this trip until next May. It’s Portugal’s highest mainland mountain range and this eight day, self-guided walking holiday takes you up to some spectacular heights. The crisp autumn mornings accentuate the aroma of the pine and oak woods as you hike up to the likes of Pousada de São Lorenço (1,290m) with stunning views of Manteigas Valley. The light is fantastic for photographing the dramatic rock formations in the Buraco Valley, and the temperatures are not too hot for trekking up to Torre, the range’s highest peak at 1,993m. All in all, peak Portugal.

One of our star walking holidays in October – Portugal’s Serra da Estrela.

Georgia is gorgeous in October

Georgia is gorgeous, pure and simple. It has two beautiful natural borders of the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the most remote and ravishing long-distance trails. In October, you can walk through high mountain meadows of the Caucasus’ Kazbegi region or be welcomed in ancient Svanetian villages. Another autumnal adventure is to explore both Georgia and Armenia on a privately-guided drive and hike holiday that takes you through both countries, two capitals and some colossal mountains. With temperatures still in their highish teens, and mountain forests and river trails taking on their seasonal glow, this is also a top time for keen photographers.

Wine trails of Piedmont, Italy

The Piedmont region rings out wine o-clock all day every day in October, as you will discover walking its wine trails, which you combine with a dip into the coast of Liguria. There are plenty of sparkling wines to be had too, although given that one of your hikes is through the village of Barolo, that may make local vintners see red. There’s nothing like a red Barolo though, and you can have it with mountain cheese as you also walk through Murazzano, where the famous cheese is produced. Another fine food of this trip is the truffle, found in the Langhe area and, perfectly, the trip starts in Alba where the two-month-long Truffle Festival opens in October. The Ligurian half of the walking holiday has a more salty flavour, walking along the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, the coastal Sentiero Liguria and up to Monte Bignone (1,299m) in San Romolo Natural Park.

West Highland Way, Scotland

October is the last month of the calendar year to travel on one of our self-guided walking holidays on the West Highland Way. However, it’s also a popular time of year, so you need to book early. You may also need a wee dram in your hipflask, or another baselayer as you traverse the wilds of Rannoch Moor or Glencoe, but you will also have the trails to yourself. It’s fine food season in Scotland at this time too as October kicks off seafood and game season, and you won’t have any midges to worry about either at this time of year. The woodlands around Loch Lomond and Glen Nevis are transformed into what looks like a magnificent tweed throw of autumnal colours, perfect for camouflaging the red deer. It’s rutting season in October too and so you may still hear them, with locking antlers and mating calls a feature of their seasonal sassiness.

For more October adventure fests, see all our cycling and walking holidays available this month. You may also enjoy our blogs on E-bike holidays that aim high and Best time to walk the Camino. For any other enquiries about seeking that seasonal seltzer, don’t hesitate to contact our bubbly team.