family holidays october destinations Half-term haunts Sell a half-term break with our guide to the hottest spots, writes Laura French

@laurafrench121

he summer holiday has extravaganza (October 1 to Tbecome something of an November 4) featuring Disney institution, but what about all Villains, a themed parade, spooky the other school breaks? shows and parties to celebrate Half-terms, Christmas, Easter Mickey’s 90th anniversary. – clients heading off on their Super Break is offering holibobs outside the main season packages to both resorts. A will find some pretty impressive three-night trip to Disneyland deals as well as fewer crowds, Paris starts at £985 for a family milder climes and the chance to of four, including a two-day park escape the chilly British autumn pass, staying at the Kyriad Hotel in search of some sun. from October 21. Not that you necessarily need Back in the UK, holiday parks to leave the country to have a are getting in on the act too. good time. Whether it’s a long Haven will be offering themed weekend in the UK or a week activities including a Halloween somewhere far, far away, there’s a fancy dress competition, shows, deal, event or other selling hook games and crafts. And Butlin’s to suit. We’ve put together a is putting on a firework show, guide to some of the best to look night-time fairground and Little out for this October half-term. Monsters Ball – expect an army of redcoats in flamboyant costumes. w TRICK OR TREAT Further afield, Al Fresco October is officially Halloween Holidays’ Sanguli park on the season, and there’s a plethora Costa Dorada in Spain will be of family resorts going all-out playing host to its own array to celebrate. Legoland Windsor of fright-fest activities. They will be putting on ‘Brick or Treat’ accompany the usual host from October 18 to November 1 of other draws for families – with spooky themed activities swimming pools, sports facilities, this page: and costumes. Across the a new Africa-themed complex Disneyland Channel, Disneyland Paris and easy access to the nearby Paris Halloween will be hosting a Halloween PortAventura World theme parade

34 travelweekly.co.uk 16 August 2018 16 August 2018 travelweekly.co.uk 35 destinations october family holidays

right: Halloween fun at Sanguli park, Costa Dorada

far right: Fenicia Prestige Suites & Spa, Ibiza

below: Atmosphere Kanifushi, the Maldives

park, to name a few, plus you can nab at the prestige spa,” says Gary Boyer, discounts of up to 40% at all Al Fresco head of purchasing for the operator. parks for September and October. The Maldives take longer “And the resort of Santa Eulalia is one But if you’ve got a family wanting to of the most family-friendly in Ibiza.” push the boat out and go a little more to get to, but there’s If that’s not quite far enough, exotic, look to Elegant Hotels’ five- guaranteed sun, sea the suggest Dubai, says Gold Medal. ASK THE star Tamarind property in Barbados. colour of blue curacao, Family favourite Atlantis the Palm is EXPERT The resort will be hosting a Marvels and good-value deals letting under-12s stay free in half-term, v Villains programme of activities and there’s plenty on hand to keep over the half-term with spooky t-shirt them occupied, including the nearby Nicky Shafe, design sessions, a Dracula-themed Aquaventure Waterpark and Lost marketing manager, baking session and an outdoor scary Chambers Aquarium, which guests get Prestige Holidays movie night among its highlights. and optional excursions to the likes of complimentary access to. “Our pick for picturesque Lynmouth. Looking to get more exotic still? families during w THAT’S A DEAL For those after slightly sunnier The Maldives might take longer to October half-term School holidays might be busier than skies, look to Ibiza. Classic Collection get to, but there’s a comprehensive are Sicily and the term time but there are still bargains Holidays is offering a complimentary family offering once you’re there, plus Canaries. This year, to be had. Close to home, active upgrade to half-board, free child place guaranteed sun, sea the colour of we’ve introduced specialist HF Holidays is offering an and reduced room rates at the five- blue curacao, and some good-value Fuerteventura, under-18s-go-free deal on its Exmoor star Insotel Fenicia Prestige Suites & deals to bag in October. Caribtours and if the fact the Family Walking Adventure. It includes Spa. Prices start from £5,430 for four recommends Atmosphere Kanifushi latest Star Wars was four nights at the scenic, National sharing a junior suite from October 21. on the Lhaviyana Atoll for one of the filmed there isn’t Trust property Holnicote House from “Children can enjoy their own pool best-value options this half-term. enough, it has huge £558 per person full-board starting and seasonal mini club, while adults Alongside the usual array of extras appeal as a winter- October 22, including guided walks can indulge in a fabulous thermal area under its all-inclusive package sun destination for families, with an impressive 152 white-sand beaches and exceptional water sports. We have two great, beachfront family options: Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real and Sheraton Fuerteventura, both with kids’ clubs, multiple swimming pools and family rooms.” PICTURE: PAPADOPOULOS SAKIS

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– non-motorised water sports, sunset cruises, daily snorkelling trips, minibar, kids’ club activities For fewer crowds, and one excursion of their choice – the resort is offering a 60% cooler temperatures saving on rates, plus a free room and a wallet-friendly upgrade and a stay-and-eat-free price tag, suggest deal for up to two under-14s. Montenegro But for the ultimate October savings, look to Thailand, says David Carlaw, head of faraway at Premier Holidays. “It’s a great right: Ikos Dassia, Corfu winter sun option. October is still low season so there’ll be bargains below: Melia Hotel at many hotels, and although Sol Katmandu you’ll likely experience a few Park & Resort, Majorca showers, the rain clears almost as soon as it appears,” he says. Recommend The Front Village, families after an upscale option. Elsewhere in Greece, Sunvil or multigenerational groups a recently refurbished resort in Jet2holidays has added it to its recommends Kefalonia. “Families wanting some valuable time Phuket for free-night deals and programme for this year, with a will love the milder climate in together. So that’s half-term exclusive family offers, including week’s B&B starting at £829 per October as well as the variety of sorted, and without raiding a kids-stay-free deal for under- person, based on a family of four beaches – from long stretches the piggy bank. 12s when they share a room with sharing from October 21, with of the finest golden sand to tiny two adults. flights from Stansted. white-pebble coves and turtle- Meanwhile in Corfu the nesting spots,” says director w WINTER SUN much anticipated Ikos Dassia Dudley Der Parthog. He suggests New family Back in Europe there’s been opened its doors in spring. The the Anemona Apartments for offerings a swathe of new openings five-star, all-inclusive sibling of family-friendly self-catering in a this year, so push them to Ikos Oceania and Ikos Olivia peaceful location, a 10-minute families after some shorter-haul will be offering a range of walk from Katelios village. Columbia Beach Resort, Cyprus: winter sun. In Tenerife – where complimentary kids’ and teens’ As with the Canaries and A revamped kids’ club and October temperatures rest at a clubs in half-term and beyond Greece, plenty of sunshine is new teens’ club offer archery, comfortable 22C – the new GF – think mini discos, Olympic pretty much guaranteed in badminton, paddleboarding, Victoria opened in March. games, treasure hunts, cookie- Turkey, which enjoys an average waterskiing, mocktail-making A splash park, specialised pool making classes, beach volleyball of 26C in October. Suggest classes and art sessions. zones and family section at the and plenty more – plus a creche Thomas Cook’s four-star spa make it an excellent bet for for under-fours. SunConnect Liberty Hisaronu Melia Hotel Sol Katmandu Park hotel in Dalaman for a centrally & Resort, Majorca: This hotel located, good-value option with meets theme park combination plenty of children’s activities, has a new kids’ entertainment including the brand’s signature programme featuring games Lollo & Bernie’s Kids’ Clubs, based on the fictional legend waterslides, two pools and a of Katmandu. good choice of dining spots. But don’t just limit possibilities Efteling, the Netherlands: The to the obvious options. The Dutch theme park has launched Balkans are growing in popularity, Caro, an international show so for somewhere with fewer featuring dancers, music and crowds, cooler temperatures acrobats at its on-site theatre. (averages of 16C) and a wallet- friendly price tag, suggest Montenegro, says Alex Stuart, general manager at Novasol. The operator offers a week in a four-star apartment in Herceg Novi from £629 for the whole two-bedroom apartment, sleeping up to seven, from October 20. That makes it a good option for larger families

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