Berkshire


<p>It might feel like the summer holidays only finished a week ago, but October half term is already looming – a brilliant time to get away with the family to warmer climes. But where to go? I’ve hunted out all kinds of fun and fabulous things to do this October, from Halloween gatherings in the Algarve to climbing volcanoes in Tenerife and dolphin counting in Florida, from as little as £48 per night!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.oliverstravels.com/france/provence-alpes/villa-les-terrasses/?arrival_date=24-10-2022&amp;departure_date=31-10-2022" target="_blank">Hang out in a villa</a>, South of France</h2>



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<p>It’s the dream, right? Gather extended fam for a multi-gen getaway to Villa Les Terrasses on the border of Alpes-de-Haute Provence. This gorgeous getway sleeps 11 in five ensuite bedrooms, has a heated pool (hooray), barbecue area, games, olive trees, huge fireplace in the massive living room and lies close to Luberon National Park where you can hike, bike and kayak. Worried about the weather? Autumn’s a pleasant time to visit France – Oct still has plenty of days of sunshine and temperatures can hit the 20s, though there does tend to be little more rainfall this month.</p>



<p><em>Seven-nights (22-29 Oct) £2257.</em>&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://budakeszivadaspark.hu/en/" target="_blank">See wolves in Budapest</a>, Hungary</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Unknown-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47309" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Unknown-3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Unknown-3-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Unknown-3-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Unknown-3-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Unknown-3-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Wolves in a city? Ok, the Budakeszi Vadaspark (wildlife park) is technically twenty minutes outside Budapest but it’s worth the drive because you and the kids can see more than 50 native species including wolves, jackals, brown beers, foxes, deer and, erm, hedgehogs (there’s a dinosaur park and zip-lines too). Back in the city, stay in a family room at&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.meininger-hotels.com/en/hotels/budapest/budapest-great-market-hall/" target="_blank">The MEININGER Budapest Great Market Hall</a>&nbsp;and spend the rest of the holiday riding trams, boating on the Danube and showing your kids the awesome Gothic and Baroque buildings.</p>



<p><em>Park entry from £5.50 for adults. Family rooms at The Meininger from £48 per night.&nbsp;</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.themagnoliahotelqdl.com/special-offers" target="_blank">Go Halloween crazy</a>, Algarve</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="696" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/little-kids-halloween-party.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47310" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/little-kids-halloween-party.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/little-kids-halloween-party-800x557.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/little-kids-halloween-party-400x278.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/little-kids-halloween-party-768x535.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/little-kids-halloween-party-754x525.jpg 754w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There’s a spooktacular amount of things on offer this half term if you check into the Magnolia Hotel at Quinta do Lago resort, including a family fright fest at The Shack (including entertainment, music and food), costume parade, monster hunt, haunted dinner and ‘spooktakular brunch’. The best bit? Kids eat and stay free for the week.</p>



<p><em>From £118</em>&nbsp;<em>per night.&nbsp;</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.windjammer-landing.com/" target="_blank">Play on the beach</a>, St Lucia </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/6c3101c429ea40f88d3a1d8de59ae459.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47311" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/6c3101c429ea40f88d3a1d8de59ae459.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/6c3101c429ea40f88d3a1d8de59ae459-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/6c3101c429ea40f88d3a1d8de59ae459-400x225.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/6c3101c429ea40f88d3a1d8de59ae459-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/6c3101c429ea40f88d3a1d8de59ae459-900x507.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you’ve cash to splash, how about flying to the Caribbean to stay at family-friendly Windjammer Landing? Spacious hillside villas, Jacquot Fun Club (it offers everything from free tennis lessons to arts and crafts), watersports and sun-soaked golden beaches await.</p>



<p><em>Still need convincing? Book before 2 Oct and you save 50% on villas in the September sale.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/3412/activity-holiday-in-montenegro" target="_blank">Kayak at Lake Skadar</a>, Montenegro </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/JvbSibeE.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47312" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/JvbSibeE.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/JvbSibeE-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/JvbSibeE-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/JvbSibeE-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/JvbSibeE-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you and the crew love to keep active while you’re away, this seven-day hols in a renovated farmhouse in Lake Skadar National Park is the perfect choice. Days are filled with kayak safaris, caving, wild swimming, biking, waterfall walks and wine-tasting (ok that bit’s just for the adults). Oh and every trip helps fund an on-going project to protect nesting sites of the rare Dalmatian Pelican – the symbol of Lake Skadar.</p>



<p><em>From £695 per person (minimum age 6; 10% discount for under 14s).</em>&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.efteling.com/en" target="_blank">Ride roller coasters at Efteling</a>, Holland</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/PUIlxzF-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47313" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/PUIlxzF-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/PUIlxzF--800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/PUIlxzF--400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/PUIlxzF--768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/PUIlxzF--788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Holland’s biggest theme park might not be on your radar, but it should be. Forget Disney, this is based on fairy tales, fables and legends, with a magical forest where you’ll find everyone from Cinderella to Pinocchio, and some awesome roller coasters including Baron 1898 which plunges 37 metres into a mineshaft. Gulp. At night, family fun includes the Aquanura, a light show with 200 fountains, fire and light, of a spectacular who at the Efteling Theatre. Accommodation-wise there’s a choice of hotel, holiday park or treetop cabin.</p>



<p><em>Six-person cabin from £716 for two nights including breakfast and three days’ unlimited access to the theme park.&nbsp;</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.wyndhamresidencesgolfsur.com/" target="_blank">Visit a volcano</a>, Tenerife</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Wyndham-Residences-Tenerife-Golf-del-Sur-Exterior-1496031.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47314" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Wyndham-Residences-Tenerife-Golf-del-Sur-Exterior-1496031.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Wyndham-Residences-Tenerife-Golf-del-Sur-Exterior-1496031-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Wyndham-Residences-Tenerife-Golf-del-Sur-Exterior-1496031-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Wyndham-Residences-Tenerife-Golf-del-Sur-Exterior-1496031-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/10/Wyndham-Residences-Tenerife-Golf-del-Sur-Exterior-1496031-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Wyndham Residences Golf del Sur on the Canary Island’s southern shore is a children’s paradise of splash pools, kids club and play areas, however it’s a family excursion to the peak of Tenerife’s Mount Teide that really sets it apart from other beach breaks. Riding a cable car to the highest volcanic peak in the Atlantic region? Now that’s got to be worth some bragging points back at school.</p>



<p><em>From £78 per night, and there’s currently 30% off all autumn bookings.&nbsp;</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/9795/catalonia-family-mountain-biking-holiday" target="_blank">Mountain bike in Catalonia</a>, Spain</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Screenshot-2022-09-21-at-17.13.04.png" alt="" class="wp-image-61399" /></figure>



<p>Explore the Catalan countryside on a fabulous family biking holiday; think rides to lakes and alongside rivers, with picnics, adventure parks, archery and kayaking along the way. There’s also the chance to do some mountain hiking and horse riding and when you get back to your boutique hotel (a former stone-built country house) you can dive into the solar-heated swimming pool.</p>



<p><em>From £586 per person, based on a family of four sharing a family room. There’s a €50 discount if you arrive from the UK by train!&nbsp;</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://dolphin-study.com/dolphin-study-eco-tour-cruise/" target="_blank">Dolphin count</a>, Florida</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Dolphin-Explorer.-Floridas-Paradise-Coast-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61309" /></figure>



<p>It’s unlikely you’ll hear the words “I’m bored” if you book a stay at award-winning, family-friendly&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.naplesgrande.com/resort" target="_blank">Naples Grande Beach Resort</a>, with its pools and activities galore. Make your stay even more memorable, however, by joining the Dolphin Explorer, an eco tour that’s part of an ongoing study of wild dolphins in the area. You and your clan can assist locating, counting and confirming sightings while out with a crew cruising around Marco Island.</p>



<p><em>From £43 per person for a three-hour eco tour.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.oasyhotel.com/en/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI__3e-s-l-gIVT-R3Ch0N-QB1EAAYASAAEgK34_D_BwE" target="_blank">Forage in a forest</a>, Tuscany&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Oasy.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-61310" /></figure>



<p>Kids will love going feral in the forest that surrounds tranquil family-owned Oasyhotel, particularly getting their hands dirty on a foraging excursion with the hotel’s head chef. Autumn bounty includes chestnuts and porcini mushrooms and you might even spot some porcupines and wild boar along the way. The best bit? Getting to eat what you’ve foraged in a slap-up meal back at base followed by an evening campfire with storytelling and night-time nature walk.</p>



<p><em>From £472pn in a lodge sleeping four.&nbsp;</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.markwarner.co.uk/sun-holidays/turkey/phokaia" target="_blank">Learn to dive</a>, Turkey</h2>



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<p>Perfect for teens, Mark Warner’s new Phokaia Beach Resort has a fantastic choice of watersports, including windsurfing, wakeboarding, waterskiiing, kayaking and diving (if you’re aged ten-plus) with a PADI qualified team. And when they’re not splashing around in the big blue, there are kids’ clubs for various ages (1-17 years), meaning you get a chance to relax in the spa!</p>



<p><em>Seven nights from £1198pp including flights, full-board for six days; save £100pp on a half term holiday by using code OCT100 (book by 26 Sept).&nbsp;</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.threemilebeach.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Catch a wave</a>, Cornwall</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/relaxed-father-daughter-doing-sports-beach-mid-adult-man-dark-haired-girl-walking-water-with-surfboards-family-leisure-active-lifestyle-concept.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61312" /><figcaption>Image by pch.vector on Freepik</figcaption></figure>



<p>Stay in a luxury beach house at Three Mile Beach, overlooking the dunes and rolling waves of glorious Gwithian Towans, and you’ll have Global Boarders Surf School on your doorstep. Ask for instructor Nicola Saw (she taught Muddy and is amazing!), hire your wetsuits and boards and before you know it you’ll all be standing (ok more like kneeling). Back at your plush beach house, hop into your hot tub or barrel sauna and exchange stories of riding giants, then stoke up the log-burner, make your own pizzas (you can order a pizza oven and ingredients to be delivered to the house!) and chill out on the biggest, comfiest sofas ever. A half term holiday to remember whether you’re a parent, tot or teen.</p>



<p><em>Seven nights in a three-bedroom beach house (sleeps 7) over Oct half term from £3950; short breaks over winter (1 Nov-March) from £715.&nbsp;</em></p>


October half term holiday ideas you need to read

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