Travel & Leisure

1. Patagonia, Argentina

October is the start of spring in the southern hemisphere, bringing mild temperatures that are perfect for hiking, climbing, and outdoor adventure. When it comes to pristine nature, Argentina’s Patagonia region has it all: e Andes (aka the longest mountain range in the world), vast glaciers and lakes, coastal beach towns, volcanos, an abundance of wildlife, dramatic vistas, and more.

Spend a weekend taking in the glacial lakes and icebergs in Parque Nacional los Glaciares or opt for some horseback riding in El Chaltén. Take in a waterside breeze on a boat cruise around the Canal Beagle where you can spot hundreds of sea lions and wrap it all up with a dip at Route of the Seven Lakes, toasting to an unforgettable trip with a cannonball.

2. Dubrovnik, Croatia

For a cultural and historical experience, head to the city of Dubrovnik in southern Croatia. Known for its picturesque, old world architecture set along the Adriatic Sea with views of the Dinaric Alps, Dubrovnik is perhaps best appreciated in October. e temperatures stay in the 70s with minimal rain, so you can still enjoy the beaches and comfortably explore historic landmarks by foot.

You’ll feel like you stepped onto a Game of rones set with a visit to Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Walls of Dubrovnik, and Fort Lovrijenac. It’s also relatively a ordable compared to the rest of Europe, so you’ll have more cash to experience the numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops along the historic main street of Stradun.

3. Andalucia, Spain

e Andalucia region in southern Spain is best appreciated in the month of October, when temperatures are still warm and there’s plenty of sunshine. Experience the vibrant culture and enchanting landscape of eight provinces, including the Alhambra Palace in Granada, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Seville, and 500 miles of coastline in the south. Catch a Flamenco show in the evening (Andalucia is the birthplace for this spirited art form), admire intricate Moorish architecture from the past, and visit some of the best beaches in the world in places like Costa del Sol on the Mediterranean Sea.

4. Rome, Italy

e Eternal City shines in the fall, with fewer tourists than the summer months and (much) cooler temperatures. ere’s still ample sunshine, too, allowing visitors to spend more time taking in the city by foot. Explore major sites like the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and the Trevi Fountain — but make sure to set aside time for the lesserknown gems such as San Luigi dei Francesi, which is home to three Caravaggio masterpieces. ere’s also a plethora of events to choose from throughout the month, including the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, Romaeuropa, and Festa del Cinema.

7 best places worth a visit in October

5. Puerto Escondido, Mexico

One of the best sur ng spots on the planet, Puerto Escondido is a laid-back beach town situated on the Paci c Ocean in southern Mexico. It’s bright and sunny nearly all year round, with temperatures hovering around 90 degrees throughout October, making for ideal beach conditions minus the summer crowds. With its numerous beaches for snorkelling, water adventures, and sunbathing—coupled with its vivid nightlife, good eats, and open air mercados — Puerto Escondido is truly a tropical paradise more than worthy of your time.

6. Lisbon, Portugal

It’s always a good time to visit Portugal’s capital city of Lisbon, but October o ers slightly cooler temperatures, cheaper prices, and smaller crowds. Sample the city’s world-famous food (bacalao is a must) and indulge in sweet rounds of porto (a Portuguese red wine) as you stroll through the charming, picturesque streets. Check out the 16th-century monastery Mosteiro dos Jeronimos; meander around one of the biggest squares in Europe, Praça do Comércio; and soak in panoramic views at the scenic lookout of Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. For more cultural highlights, try a private food tour around the city or take a day trip to explore landmarks in the nearby towns of Sintra and Cascais. Lisbon is also one of the sunniest cities in Europe (with nearly 300 sunny days per year) so you’re bound to have good weather while you’re there. Plus, it’s an easy destination to get to, thanks to two major train stations and an international airport.

7. e Cyclades, Greece

Whether it’s sightseeing in Crete, sunbathing in Mykonos, catching sunsets in Santorini, or exploring the mountain villages of Naxos, October is one of the best months to visit the Greek Islands. ere are less cruise ships and tourists at this time of year and the temperatures hover around 70 degrees. For prime swimming in the Aegean Sea, however, it’s best to go at the beginning of the month. If island hopping is on the agenda, check out the ancient ruins in Naxos, Palace of Knossos in Crete, and the Open Air Cinema Kamari in Santorini.

A last-minute cruise can still be fun and, if you aren’t too choosey, there are some amazing last-minute cruise deals. You may even be able to snag a week in the Caribbean for less than €400 a person. e thing is, just like clothes that have hung on sale racks for a while, if you’re picky, you may not nd an acceptable cruise bargain.

If you wait too long you’ll be left with whatever selection is available — ships, cabins and dates — that may not be near the top of your wish list.

If you’re trying for a last-minute bargain, you also should be exible on when you will cruise. Don’t expect a deal on the latest, greatest ship or route, or in the fanciest cabin. High demand equals fewer lastminute o ers.

Last-minute deals are line and itinerary, could be 60 to 90 days before embarkation.

Cruise lines get a good chunk of their income from onboard spending and make a bigger pro t if they get more people on board, even if they need to reduce fares drastically to attract a larger crowd. It’s a bit of a slippery slope, though.

How much can you save?

Potentially, you’ll see lastminute deals ranging from about 30% to more than 85 % o full fares.

Keep in mind, though, that it’s rare for anyone to pay a full fare or brochure price.

When checking out a lastminute fare, you should do a comparison with other value-added o ers from the cruise line.

For instance, some lines do kids-cruise-free deals, free category upgrades or free drinks as enticements. None of these will apply to a last-minute fare. Depending on your speci c needs, you may be better o booking early and taking advantage of these value-added ways to save.

On the other hand, if you don’t drink much, aren’t taking the kids and your goal is the lowest possible fare, last-minute may be foryou.

If cruise lines always o ered last-minute bargain fares, more people might be hesitant to take advantage of early-bird o ers, and other sales geared to those passengers booking several months in advance — which is the period when cruise lines really want you to book.

Because of this, cruise lines don’t always o er lastminute deals. When they do, they are targeted on a ship-by-ship, sailing-bysailing basis.

Shop around ...

How to bag a last-minute cruise deal