Published 6th Oct. 2022
Reading time
Half terms were made for two – two weeks that is. And even schools are starting to agree. While some parents will see the news as an alert to stock up on arts, crafts and play dates, for us it’s just the excuse we needed to cast the net wide on October family holidays. Head to Morocco and Egypt for a slice of North African sun, Oman for endless dunes and desert delights and Sri Lanka for sweeping shores and sunny skies. In fact, we’ll go as far to say that this shoulder month is one of our family favourites. The only thing left to decide is where to go this October half term...
Oman may not be the first country that springs to mind when you start thinking about where to go this October half term, but it should. Home to rugged mountain peaks, endless dunes and various salubrious sinkholes, Oman feels like one giant playground – especially when you experience it on an exhilarating 4x4. Stop for breathers at sorcerous souqs and let the little ones live out their castle fantasies at Nizwa’s 17th century fort. There will be no utters of ennui here either as you set your sights on dolphins on a boat cruise, snorkel over fish-filled reefs in Muscat and ride camels through the Wahiba Sands.
Morocco is the most exotic destination within easy reach of the UK. With a lyrical landscape of desert oases, golden beaches and epic mountain ranges, which carpet the country like a richly coloured patchwork, it is its spellbinding cities that provide a much desired dollop of cuisine and culture. Perfect for all the family, a nine-day trip can combine vibrant Marrakech with a trek through the Atlas Mountains on a family- friendly walking adventure (with donkeys on hand to carry your clobber) and camel rides along the beach in Essaouira.
Nuria Val & Coke Bartrina
Explore Turkey in all its glory on an amazing 12-day family trip. From eye-opening Istanbul to kooky Cappadocia, where surreal 'fairy chimney’ rock formations and troglodyte rock-hewn houses pockmark the landscape, Turkey promises to put a whole new spin on October half term. Discover 1,500-year-old mosques and underground basilicas in Istanbul, reach new heights atop Cappadocia’s Uchisar Rock Castle and enjoy five days of downtime in beautiful Bodrum. Surrounded by some of the country’s most important archaeological sites, the whole family will be more than happy to dip between ancient cities, Aegean beaches, hilltop villages and hotel pools.
If your kids nippers haven’t already studied the Egyptians at school, they soon will. Get ahead of the curve with a nine-day Egyptian Adventure, filled with stories of mummies and treasure. Start in Cairo and the Egyptian museum, where you’ll come face to face with Tutankhamun's treasure, before hopping aboard the Steam Ship Sudan. Sail in style down the Nile, taking in Luxor and Awan’s pyramids and monuments as you go. Pass temples dedicated to the gods of beauty, love and fertility and join the children in learning how to cook Om Ali. Top it off with a drive into the desert and you’ll have a trip for the ages.
Sebastien Zanella
Of course, southern Spain makes our list of where to go this October half term. Just a short flight from London, Andalucia makes Spain feel like it’s practically at the tip of your fingers. Experience it all on a road trip round Andalucia, starting in Seville. Stretch your legs on a walking tour to its classic sights and discover if your family has the rhythm on a fiery flamenco lesson. From the city you’ll cruise down to Donana National Park for a crash course is biodiversity. Swap swirly skirts for a pair of binoculars as you wade through Mediterranean marshes, ride on horseback through rural villages and sample sherry (parents only, obviously) at family-run vineyards.
Sri Lanka has flung open its doors to tourists once again so pack your bags because now’s the time to go. Enrol the little ones on the Young Rangers course at Wilpattu National Park, go on game drives and bush walks in search of boar, leopard and elephant tracks and see off sundowners (strictly for adults only... sorry kiddos!) from your open-sided tent. On the south coast, you’ll be able to while away days on white stretches of pearly shores as the children attempt to become surfing and snorkelling pros (with the help of a trusty guide). And if city calls, Sharky & George (our on-hand adventure aficionados) have myriad activities to keep boredom at bay.
Arnaud Montagard
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
With four teenagers in or entering sixth form, my family have noticed firsthand that A Level study demands not just recall but interpretation. The jump from GCSE to A Level is substantial; essays are longer, critical thinking matters much more and independent evaluation is rewarded. Several experts suggest that examiners across AQA, Edexcel and OCR consistently reward students who demonstrate awareness of competing perspectives, real-world examples and a confident grasp of context.
26th March 2026 - Family Travel
With four teenagers currently moving through the GCSE and A Level years in our household, we have become mildly obsessed with the idea of the ‘incremental gain’. Not in a hot-housing sense. More in the way that any decent sports coach knows that small, cumulative advantages often show up where it matters – in the final scoreline. Because one thing becomes very clear very quickly when you have children doing GCSEs and A Levels across AQA, Edexcel and OCR:
24th March 2026 - Family Travel
It’s no secret that we’re strong advocates of a family sabbatical, so amid the downpours of February, we were delighted to host an event at the Royal Academy discussing just that. Bringing together Thomasina Miers of Wahaca, Walter Kerr of Oppidan Education and, of course, our very own Tom Barber, the event opened the floor for a practical and frank conversation about the best way to take a sabbatical with your children.
26th February 2026 - Family Travel
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
