The Weekly Edit: Five Places I’m Dreaming About for October
MY OCTOBER WISH LIST
After a month away in France, I’m officially on a travel ban… which naturally means I’ve spent most of this week thinking about where I could take the kids for October Half Term.
October is actually one of my favourite times to travel as a family. You can still find sunshine without the full summer crowds, there are some brilliant long-haul options, and if you get the destination right it can feel like a proper escape before winter really sets in.
So, despite allegedly not going anywhere, these are the five trips I can’t stop thinking about and where I wish I could go!
OCTOBER HALF TERM IDEAS
SOUTH AFRICA
Always, always a favourite.
South Africa is one of those destinations that works so brilliantly for families because every few days can feel completely different. You can have a few nights in Cape Town, spend time in the Winelands and then finish with a safari (the ultimate wow ending).
Did you know our Cartology founder was born and raised in Franschhoek, so naturally we are the South Africa experts!
The food is amazing, the hotels and lodges are some of the best in the world and there is so much for children to actually do. Penguins at Boulders Beach, Table Mountain, cycling through the Winelands, horse riding and bush walks which means there's no time for teenagers to be on their phone as they are always occupied.
And honestly, nothing compares to seeing animals through your children’s eyes. Watching them spot their first elephant or lion is one of those travel moments you remember forever.
Some of our favourite picks:
Mount Nelson, Cape Town
The Cape Grace, Cape Town
Le Cle, Franschhoek
Le Quartier Francais, Franschhoek
Thornybush Game Lodge, Greater Kruger
Tanda Tula, Timbavati
Dulini, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve
EGYPT
Somewhere we’ve never been, but the kids and I are desperate to go!
Egypt has been sitting very high on my list for a while now, and the more I research it, the more I want to book it. There’s something so exciting about a trip that feels genuinely educational for children without remotely feeling like school.
Cairo for the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, followed by a few nights cruising the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, would be my dream combination. A Nile cruise in particular feels like such a lovely and relaxed way to experience Egypt as a family. You unpack once, wake up somewhere new every day and mix temples and tombs with afternoons by the pool and watching the scenery drift past.
I’d definitely want to do it properly, with brilliant private guides and a beautiful boat, because Egypt is one of those destinations where having the right people on the ground makes all the difference.
October is an amazing time to visit Egypt, but it’s also one that gets booked up quickly. If you’re thinking about visiting Egypt for October half term 2027 (or at any other point in the year), it’s definitely worth getting ahead and booking now!
And there’s an extra reason to put Egypt on the list for 2027. On 2 August 2027, one of the longest total solar eclipses of our lifetime will cross Egypt, with totality lasting an incredible six minutes and 22 seconds near Luxor. If you want to experience this for yourself, we would recommend starting to plan and book now, as availability is already very limited and we expect it to fill up quickly.
Feedback from our clients
“WOW, Egypt was the most incredible trip. We loved the whole trip but the Nile cruise was a huge highlight! It was so great to see so much without having to constantly move hotels, and the kids had the best time!”
MONTANA, USA
I LOVE the idea of doing a ranch trip with kids. They can be busy from morning until night, but you still get to properly switch off and enjoy yourself too. Horse riding, fishing, hiking, wildlife spotting, archery, mountain biking, campfires… There's just so much to do, without every minute of the day being planned.
The Ranch at Rock Creek is particularly special because you get all of that amazing Montana wilderness, but with a bit of luxury too.
You could spend the morning out on horseback, have lunch back at the ranch, send the kids off to do something else in the afternoon and then sit down to a really lovely dinner and a glass of wine. It sounds pretty perfect to me.
I’d probably add Yellowstone (Montage Big Sky) or Grand Teton onto the trip too. That whole part of America is just so beautiful and feels almost like a film, especially in autumn!
ROME & UMBRIA, ITALY
A little closer to home and such an easy family combination.
Rome is basically the world’s largest living museum, which means there is an endless amount to see without needing to manufacture entertainment for the children. Gladiators, the Colosseum, gelato stops, fountains, pizza-making, the Vatican and plenty of wandering in between.
I’d keep Rome fairly short and fun, perhaps three nights, and stay somewhere gorgeous like Casa Monti on the steps of the Colosseum or The St. Regis Rome to add a bit of glitz and glamour to your trip.
Then I’d head into the countryside for a completely different pace.
Always a family favourite, the breathtaking houses at Reschio, where you get all the privacy and space of your own beautiful home, with the service and facilities of the estate right at your fingertips. Days can be filled with truffle hunting, horse riding and cooking classes, before ending with a cinema night under the stars.
Umbria is particularly lovely if you want something quieter and a little less obvious than Tuscany, although I’d happily go back to Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco tomorrow. Long lunches, beautiful villages, truffle hunting, cooking classes and plenty of space for everyone to switch off.
And, importantly, the children will eat everything because it is Italy! Sometimes the simplest selling point is the strongest.
JOALI, MALDIVES
One I book all year round for couples and families, and for very good reason. The Maldives is obviously one of the easiest answers when what you really want is sunshine, warm water and absolutely no complicated logistics once you arrive.
JOALI is one of my favourites because it manages to be incredibly luxurious while still being genuinely brilliant for families. The children’s club is fantastic, there is loads to do on the water and the island feels fun without ever losing that sense of proper escapism.
For the adults, you have beautiful villas, brilliant restaurants, spa time, snorkelling, diving and the sort of service where you very quickly forget what day it is.
It is also one of the most beautifully designed resorts in the Maldives. The interiors, art and landscaping are gorgeous, so it feels much more considered than the classic barefoot-island formula.
For an October half-term trip where everyone needs a reset, it is a very convincing option.
SO MUCH FOR THE TRAVEL BAN...
THE SARAH IVES LUXURY TRAVEL PERKS
So yes, despite my self imposed travel ban, I’m clearly not doing very well at staying home!
We love a last-minute plan and there is still plenty of time to pull something brilliant together for October. If you’re also staring at the school holidays wondering where on earth to go, send us a message.
We would love to help!
And don't forget, you get the best perks when booking with Sarah Ives Luxury Travel!
Comments