WE all love going on a summer holiday, but travelling during the school break can have its downsides.
Airports and stations are busy, prices skyrocket and temperatures across Europe can soar to uncomfortable highs.
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The last thing you want to do is book a sunny beach break, only to find yourself hiding in the shade or escaping indoors for some much-needed air-con.
This year, both Spain and Portugal saw scorching 46C temperatures and the heat in Turkey rose to a record-breaking 50.5C, which for many Brits was a bit too hot.
Nowadays, some of the most popular summer destinations are actually better in the October half term than they are in peak time – with highs of 30C and fewer crowds.
Plus, with less demand for flights and resorts, with some hot deals, you could actually save hundreds on your holiday.
Here are our top picks for an bargain autumn jaunt:
Paphos, Cyprus for £205pp
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October is a sweet spot in Cyprus, with autumn months near-perfect weather-wise.
In the Cyprus off-season, it’s sunny almost every day with temperatures around 26C.
Even the sea temperature stays a pleasant 24C and beaches are far less crowded and more serene than in the height of summer.
While some beach resorts lose their vibrancy and buzz in the low season, Paphos is in full swing.
Even the super-summer outlets, like beach cafes and food stands remain open until at least the first week of November.
Paphos, especially, is a top spot in the low season. Resorts that were packed out all summer offer the same stunning pools, sea views and entertainment, but with no sunbed scrum or going elbow-to-elbow at the buffet.
History buffs and those who want to sight-see can take a stroll around the UNESCO-listed Tombs of the Kings, one of the largest collections of ancient mosaics in the world.
In October, there is no need to book and no long lines to get in.
Better still, you can bag some of the best prices you’ll see all year.
A seven-night stay at the 3-star, Club St George Resort, room only and with return flights from Manchester is only £209.
Get the deal: loveholidays.com
Dalaman Coast, Turkey for £129pp
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You might say there is no such thing as winter in the Aegean.
Whilst the temperature does dip at the end of the year, October still has stunning weather in Turkey.
The Dalaman Coast, with its beautiful beaches, lush forests and crystal-clear water is ideal for a post-summer escape.
Not to mention the prices are as impressive as the scenery.
Named the Turquoise Coast by locals – who all take full advantage of the lingering summer, heading to the beach from Turkey’s busy cities – the location is stunning.
The Blue Lagoon is the most beautiful spot on the coast. With incredibly clear water, white sand banks, excellent snorkelling and hidden beaches and coves.
October and November sometimes threaten a rain shower, but that’s when you head to one of the canopy-covered coastal bars for plates of traditional Manti (Turkish dumplings), Börek pastries and a glass of local budget beer for £3 a pint.
If you’ve got sea legs, take a boat trip out onto the water.
As well as a panoramic view of Turkey’s forest-lined coastline, you can spend the day snorkelling, swimming, or just lounging around on deck, like an off-duty A-lister who knows when and where to go to avoid the crowds.
With less demand, excursions and boat trips are a fraction of the price you’ll pay in summer.
However, the real savings are the jaw-dropping deals on offer for Turkey at this time of year.
A seven-night room-only stay at Club Sun Smile in Marmaris is only £129 per person, including flights on easyJet from London Gatwick. This is less than half the price of the same holiday in summer, which was £429 per person.
Get the deal: loveholidays.com
Crete, Greek Islands, for £169pp
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The whitewashed Greek islands, like Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos, are swamped with tourists in the summer.
But on many islands, once autumn is in full swing and the hedonistic summer days have relaxed, lots of businesses close up for the season.
A big reason for this is that the number of big-spending cruise ship passengers drops dramatically, with the ocean liners sailing further south for the warmer weather and less choppy waters.
However, one of the best Greek Islands will still be in full swing and is ideal for a pre-winter visit.
It’s time to set your sights on Crete and the charming resorts that are dotted across the island.
Coastal towns like Chania and Rethymnon are hives of activity, with resorts that offer fantastic value for money, especially at family resorts.
There are cute, little beach towns all along the coast, but you may find the sea itself a bit chilly at this time of year.
Chania is an excellent city to explore or go for a wander, popping into local shops, gelato stands and grabbing an outdoor table at one of the cafes that line the harbour.
Watch the super yachts go in and out while you snack on tasty mezze spreads, £10 bottles of wine and some of the cheapest beer in the Med.
It doesn’t have the white and blue aesthetic commonly associated with Greece, and feels more like a romantic Italian town.
Much of Chania is pedestrianised, so it’s ideal for visiting with kids.
There is a cheap bus that runs from the city to all the major beach towns, so you can save even more money by not renting a car or taking costly taxis.
The chilled out Valentina Apartments have an excellent customer rating and a picturesque location, surrounded by olive trees.
The self-catering apartment means you can make this a home-away-from-home for the week and all for just £169, including flights from London Gatwick.
Get the deal: travelsupermarket.com
Dubai, United Arab Emirates for £512.50pp
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Dubai’s almost too-hot-to-handle summer heat finally becomes more comfortable for us Brits in October, making it one of the best times to visit as a family.
The Arab Emirates hotspot (literally) is more of a luxury break than the bargains you can book in Europe.
But if you’ve always wanted to see it for yourself, this is the time to pick up a great deal.
Toward the end of the year, airfares to Dubai begin to increase again, as people flee to the swanky desert for some almost-guaranteed winter sun.
Squeezing in a trip between summer and Christmas is the best time to get a cracking deal, saving hundreds on a cheeky escape.
There is so much to do as a family here, including desert safaris, the aquarium and water parks like Aquaventure at Atlantis the Palm.
Downtown is a good place to stay with families, since it’s in the middle of everything.
The MD Hotel by Gewan is next to the famous Mall of the Emirates and a short drive to the tourist hub and beach area, Palm Jumeirah.
Plus, it has a rooftop pool with views of the city.
A stay here is £512.50 for seven nights, bed and breakfast and flights on TUI from Stansted, including checked and carry-on luggage.
Get the deal: tui.co.uk
Playa del Carmen, Mexico for £618.24pp
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Long-haul trips will always be more of a commitment both time-wise and budget-wise, but if you’ve always wanted to jet off to a tropical paradise, this is your booking window.
Mexico is a great destination in the autumn months.
It is technically the rainy season, but tropical downpours tend to be quick, steamy and over before they’ve even begun.
The plus side is you end up with fresh, less dusty air, and a bit of rain makes everything cooler.
After a quick shower, the rest of the day is usually blue skies and sunny but not hot and humid, which is ideal for families.
The beaches here are beautiful, with lots of opportunities for water sports, snorkelling over the coral reef and boat excursions.
Or, you can just spend the day paddling and playing on the golden-sand beaches.
Riviera Maya is also a great place to visit if you want to see the historic, cultural side of Mexico.
In Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, you can tour the famous Mayan Ruins of Coba, a preserved ancient Maya city, which is a fascinating part of Mexico’s history.
The HM Playa del Carmen is offering a seven-night bed and breakfast deal with return flights from Manchester to Cancun on TUI, including baggage and transfers, for £618.24 per person.
This is also 50% cheaper than the same trip in peak time, which for Mexico is December to March.
Get the deal: tui.co.uk