Having spent the best part of a year and a half indoors, people are looking to rekindle their spirit of adventure on an overseas holiday in October and over half-term. With this in mind, LLM – Luxury Lifestyle Magazine has handpicked a range of different luxury hotels and island destinations to visit in October with opportunities ranging from kayaking Lanzarote’s rugged coastline and bathing in the glistening waters of Ischia to fishing with the local people of Kihnu Island and cycling through the rolling hills of Menorca.
Bathe in the beauty of Ischia
Ischia, in the Bay of Naples, is much loved by Italians but receives far fewer international visitors than neighbouring Capri. The beaches on the nearby coastlines around Amalfi have steep cliffs and can be rocky but most of Ischia’s spacious beaches boast soft sands and crystal-clear waters. Head to Casamicciola, a quaint town famous for its thermal baths as well as local pottery and ceramic shops. For somewhere a little livelier, visit Porto d’Ischia – the island’s capital – for high-end fashion stores and bustling bars and restaurants. Known as Italy’s green island, away from the coast and its thermal pools, Ischia is a quiet, traditional island where villages have stayed the same for centuries and ancient vineyards still thrive.
Citalia (citalia.com) has a seven-night half-board stay at the four-star Continental Mare from £873 per person based on two sharing. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick, complimentary private airport transfers and ferry crossing. Price based on October 2021 departures.
Walk through Madeira’s botanical paradise
These idyllic islands off the coast of Portugal provide the perfect wild and varied scenery for a walking adventure. The experience varies from gentle strolls along flower-lined trails and spectacular coastal footpaths, to more demanding forays amongst the jagged ridges and peaks of the rugged volcanic interior. There is plenty of time to relax by the sea in the picturesque fishing village of Machico and discover the historic importance of Funchal, an old trade centre famous for exporting sugar and wine to the Indies and the New World.
Exodus Travels’ (exodus.co.uk) seven-night guided trip Walking in Madeira is priced from £1,149 per person and includes all flights, accommodation, breakfast, all transport and listed activities, airport transfers and a tour leader throughout. Departing 23 October 2021.
Discover Formentera, the Balearic Island’s best kept secret
The Balearic Island of Formentera is one of the Mediterranean’s best kept secrets with never-ending white sandy beaches, sleepy villages with white-washed houses, all surrounded by crystal clear water. Located six kilometres south of Ibiza, Formentera boasts a laid-back hippie charm and exotic energy making it the ideal spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and recharge their batteries. Those visiting Formentera will love spending hours relaxing on pristine beaches such as Ses Illetes and Cala Saona, exploring the length of the nearly 12-mile island by foot, bicycle or scooter, and visiting the Ses Salines Natural Park – home to over 200 different species of birds.
TUI (tui.co.uk) offers a seven-night stay at the four-star Insotel Hotel Formentera Playa, priced from £646pp (half board), including return flights from London Stansted. Based on 23 October 2021 departure for two adults and one child sharing. For more information, visit formentera.es.
Explore the island of Menorca by bike
Menorca’s rolling countryside, quiet roads and varied terrain make the perfect option for novice cyclists, families or solo travellers wanting to enjoy a leisurely cycling holiday. The island has 21 bike-routes along ancient tracks including the Maó to Es Grau route, which offers a picturesque mountain bike ride through varied landscapes on the ancient route Camí de Cavalls around the entire island. The trip starts at the port of Maó continuing through Sa Mesquidia and along the coast, where riders can admire dramatic views of the sea and explore Menorca’s beautiful natural coves. Finally, visitors travel through the Parque Natural de s’Albufera des Grau, Menorca’s largest Natural Park, before passing through typical Menorcan farmland peppered with olive trees, finishing in the town of Es Grau.
Jet2Holidays (jet2holidays.co.uk) offers an all-inclusive seven-night stay at the Palladium Hotel Menorca, priced from £679pp, including return flights from London Stansted. Based on 22 October 2021 departure for two adults and two children sharing. ATOL protected. For more information, visit menorca.es.
Reignite the spirit of adventure then relax in luxury in Lanzarote
Sea kayaking is the best way to discover Lanzarote’s rugged coastline and get active under the island’s year-round sunshine. Kayak Lanzarote offers tours discovering the clear waters of Papagayo beaches and the cliffs of the natural monument Los Ajaches. The kayaking trip tours corners, cliffs, caves and the pristine beaches of Lanzarote’s south coast with paddle in hand. After a day paddling between coves on the southern part of the island, the five-star Hotel Gran Castillo Tagoro Family and Fun Playa Blanca, located just along from the Costa de Papagayo, provides the perfect haven for families to relax and unwind.
Jet2 Holidays (jet2holiday.com) offers a five-night holiday at Hotel Gran Castillo Tagoro Family from £758 per person based on a family of four staying on an all-inclusive basis including return flights from Birmingham Airport, one item of hand luggage and hold luggage per person as well as coach transfers. Departing Sunday 24 October 2021. ATOL protected. For more information visit turismolanzarote.com.
Getaway to the stunning island of Guernsey
A short break to the charming island of Guernsey is ideal for the October half term break. From picture-perfect beaches, to magic resting stones, fabulous food, and complete and utter peace and quiet, Guernsey has all the ingredients needed to conjure up the perfect escape. Guernsey will feel like a trip abroad despite UK travellers never leaving the British Isles and with such a short journey time (either by flight or ferry) it’s the ideal destination for a weekend break. The island boasts incredible coastal cliff walks with beautiful bays, coves and harbours that both charm and delight. As well as the stunning views there are opportunities for surfing, kayaking, coasteering and other water sports in this gorgeous beach-lovers paradise.
Channel Islands Direct (channelislandsdirect.co.uk) offers a four-night B&B stay at the five-star Old Government House priced from £479 per person including return flights from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Exeter, Gatwick, Manchester, or Southampton with Auringy. Based on departure between 1 October 21 – 30 October 2021 for two adults sharing. ATOL protected.
Experience the sea-faring culture of Kihnu Island
The seventh-largest Estonian island, Kihnu, is an ancient island of seafarers and fishermen. Throughout centuries, the men of Kihnu have spent much of their time at sea, leaving the women as the keepers and carriers of the island’s heritage. Inhabited by a close-knit community of around 700, their culture is guided by their relationship to the ocean and is now recognised as part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Visitors can experience the local tradition by taking a trip to sea with a local fishing leader. For those looking to explore the picturesque viewpoints of Kihnu, take a tour of the main villages on foot, bike or by road. A particular highlight are the views from the Pitkänä peninsula lighthouse across Kihnu, as well as the surrounding islands and Baltic Sea.
The Baltic travel company offer a six-night trip to the Estonian Islands from £865 per person. This includes return flights, accommodation, breakfast daily, all taxes, seven days rental car and insurance. ATOL protected. Based on October 2021 departures.
Travel the spectacular coastal paths of Bermuda
Bermuda, warmed by the temperate Gulf Stream, is a stunning archipelago of 181 islands and islets, the eight largest of which form the fishhook-shaped mainland. Here, this tiny treasure trove is packed with history and natural beauty. Famed for its glistening turquoise waters, remarkable pink sands, and coral reefs home to a wide variety of colourful fish, Bermuda is a beach-lover’s heaven. Beyond the postcard-worthy bays, the islands offer a lush interior alive with a multitude of birds and flowers, making it perfect to explore on foot. The luxurious hotel, with access to a swimming pool and tennis court, also provides a panoramic ocean view to be immersed in the spectacular scenery.
Headwater’s (headwater.com) trip Islands of Bermuda is priced from £2,669 per person and includes all flights, accommodation, seven day travel pass, airport transfers, resort levy, service charge and local taxes. Departing 24 October 2021.
Jet off to Split by speedboat
Join skipper Milos on this exhilarating speed boat tour of the hidden island of Split. The coastal city in Croatia is one of Europe’s most loved destinations attracting thousands of Brits each year to its luscious beaches. However, on this unique experience, expert guide Milos will take groups to the more secret parts of the islands – that only the locals know about. The whole family will love the thrilling speedboat voyage around the Krknjaši and Šolta Islands, absorbing the picturesque views of this part of the world. There will also be time for swimming and snorkelling at a private Blue Lagoon area nicknamed ‘hidden paradise’ giving the children plenty of time to explore and meet some aquatic friends.
ToursByLocals (toursbylocals.com) offers the eight-hour Private Speedboat Hidden Islands Tour for £672 per tour, for up to four people. The tour is fully customisable and includes guiding services and private transportation in a Speedboat Baracuda 545. Sovereign offers a stay at the Le Meridien Lav priced from £1,085 per person for seven nights based on 2 people sharing. Departure date 23 October 2021. Flights, transfers, and all breakfasts included.
Enjoy a family retreat to The Domes of Elounda, Crete
The Domes of Elounda resort, located on Crete’s northeast coast on the hillside of Spinalonga Island, offers families the perfect luxury escape. The hotel provides both child-focused activities as well as superb adult-only areas including The Core, the perfect area to enjoy open air festivals and art exhibitions as well as indoor and outdoor cinema, basketball, tennis, and football academies. There are a myriad of different food trucks to try out, shops, natural walkways, and an eco-playground to explore. The amphitheatre, at the heart of the Core, hosts live music events as well as children’s activities which range from star gazing to bubble shows. The hotel’s private sandy beach, the swimming pools and spa, and an Ofsted-approved Montessori club are all located close by.
Sovereign Luxury Travel (sovereign.com) has a seven-night stay at Domes of Elounda from priced from £1,255pp based on a trip for a family of four and includes all flights, accommodation, breakfasts and one other meal daily and airport transfers. Departing 24 October 2021. ATOL protected.
October fun in the sun at Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the volcanic island of Tenerife is the perfect island to be whether families are looking for excursions such as scuba diving and water-skiing or unwind in a world-class resort. The spectacular five-star Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife offers an impressive range of services for all types of guests from families and groups to couples and solo travellers.
Children of all ages will also delight in three pools, a mix of sports courts, three age-dependent kids club, creches for the little rockers as well as teen hangouts equipped with state-of-the-art tech such as Sony simulators even DJ training facilities. Parents will have no trouble keeping the whole family occupied while they relax at one of the many bars or perhaps enjoy a rhythm massage at the Rock Spa.
TUI Holidays offers a five night B&B stay at the five-star Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife priced from £694pp, including return flights from London Gatwick and a generous baggage allowance. Based on 28 October 2021 departure for two adults and two children sharing. ATOL protected.
