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Woman in a pink kimono crossing a red arched bridge surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage in a Japanese garden — serene fall scene in Japan.
Wanderlust · 5 min read · September 23, 2025

It's October – where are you going on holiday?

Our top picks for an autumnal adventure now that summer's over

Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.

Looking for the best places to travel this October? From Kyoto's fiery autumn gardens to Goa's peaceful post-monsoon beaches, this guide highlights top ethical travel picks across the globe. Explore theatre breaks in London, ancient fountains in Yerevan, quiet towns in southern Italy, tropical escapes in the Dominican Republic, and fairytale castles in Luxembourg – all ranked by our Good Trip Index for sustainability and cultural value.

What you'll find in this guide:

This month's beach read: The Housekeeper and the Professor, Yoko Ogawa

This unlikely tale explores the relationship between a maths professor, his housekeeper and her son. The only quirk is that the professor has just 80 minutes of short-term memory. It's a touching story that's full of warmth and small moments of beauty in Japan. Perfect for the reflective mood of autumn in Kyoto and cosying up with as the temperature starts to drop.

Kyoto | Japan

Japan ranks 28th WVisitors walking up stone steps to the vibrant red gate of Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan, surrounded by greenery and traditional statues.

We love Tokyo, and you'll likely fly there if you're coming from the UK – but our favourite place in Japan when we last visited was Kyoto, two hours away on the famous bullet train.

Why October? Visitors rave about the sakura that blooms all over Japan in the spring, but equally breathtaking are the gardens in autumn when the leaves turn red and start to fall. Kyoto, the former Japanese capital, is home to so many temples, palaces and gardens that it's the best place to appreciate the autumn livery – so if you're heading out, October's the time to go.

Japan comes a solid 28th on our Good Trip Index, so if you're looking for a holiday that's both exotic and ethical this is a great destination.

Goa | India

India ranks 96th Tropical beach with turquoise water, palm trees, and colorful huts in Goa, India, with a wooden fishing boat near the shore — relaxing coastal paradise.

October's the perfect time to visit Goa. The monsoon-season rains are ending, temperatures are heading into the 30s but the crowds that fill beaches in high season are yet to arrive – so now's the time to go for a relaxed, reliably warm beach holiday.

India has moved up 16 places on our Good Trip Index since last year, making it one of the top risers this year – while it has a largely excellent record on animal welfare, it still scores a bit low on press freedoms, women's peace and security, and human rights.

London theatre break

UK ranks 17th Couple sitting on a bed in the middle of a grand, empty theater with red velvet seats, ornate gold decor, and soft lighting — unique cinematic experience.

Autumn is the start of the new theatre season in London, so if you want to treat yourself to some R&R but don't fancy heading overseas, making a trip to the West End into a city break could be your perfect solution.

After the baking heat of August, London is now enjoying a cooler autumn and the shows are back in town. Head to the capital, stay overnight in one of our hand-picked hotels and take in a show nearby for a great UK city break.

Yerevan | Armenia

Armenia ranks 59th Fountain spraying water in Republic Square, Yerevan, Armenia, with people walking and historic pink-stone buildings in the background — lively city center.

Armenia is one of the countries that straddles the border between Europe and Asia. Plonked right in the Caucasus region between Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, it also shares a tiny bit of border with Iran. Yerevan is the capital city and, according to one of our travel experts, a very cool place to go.

It's one of the oldest cities in the world and that blends uniquely with the Soviet-era architecture that you don't often find in your typical city break. You'll also find cosy cafes, parks and Republic Square, which makes a good starting point with its beautiful fountains – come back at night to see it all lit up.

On top of that, Armenia has risen in our Good Trip Index this year, with decent scores in animal welfare and quality of life.

Lamezia Terme | Italy

Italy ranks 32nd Charming hillside village with pastel houses and medieval stone ruins surrounded by lush greenery in southern Italy — peaceful rural landscape.

The pretty towns and perfect beaches at the tip of Italy's toe have long allured British travellers. Tropea is probably the most famous of Calabria's resorts, but for somewhere new try Lamezia Terme. Ryanair now flies there directly from London Stansted, and it has all the rich history, architecture and great weather you'd expect from an Italian city without the crowds.

Archaeological treasures found in the ancient city of Terina are what makes modern-day Lamezia Terme stand out. Learn all about them in the Archaeological Museum, then tuck into Calabrian cuisine from Lagane – believed to be the oldest pasta in the world – to spicy 'Nduja sausage.

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic ranks 75th Aerial view of a coastal resort on a rocky peninsula with turquoise waters and white cliffs, surrounded by lush greenery — tropical getaway by the sea.

October means shoulder season in the Dominican Republic, and shoulder season in the Dominican Republic means cheaper flights and hotels and less people hogging the best sunloungers. Plus the temperatures are still warm – scorching by UK standards. You're looking at low 30s on average, which is absolutely ideal for swimming in the sea, or cooking under the brilliant sunshine (with a responsible coating on sun cream obviously).

It's not just about the beaches though. The Dominican Republic has 18 national parks and in recent years has been more committed to sustainability goals and the need to protect its unique environment for future generations.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg ranks 6th Medieval hilltop castle surrounded by dense green forest and rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky — fairytale landscape in rural Europe.

You may well have never considered going to Luxembourg. But if you love getting lost in historic European cities, exploring beautiful countryside dotted with cute little towns and villages and grand medieval castles, you're in for a treat.

Start in Luxembourg City for a classic European city break fit with a charming old town and architectural beauty, then head out to the countryside and go castle hunting. Vianden Castle is the pick of the bunch – one of Europe's best-preserved fortified castles, its mountainous, tree-lined surroundings are stunning.

It's easy enough to fly to Luxembourg, but if you want to reduce your air miles you can get all the way there by train. Hop on the Eurostar from London to Brussels, stop off for a Flemish stew and a Trappist beer or two, then take the scenic rail route to Luxembourg.


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