October is the seasons changing month for various regions around the world, the climates of many places are in advantageously mild weather. Thus, this month is really suitable to travel to many destinations all around. In the following, there are the top 10 best places to visit in October and their outstanding features worth touring that month.
10 Best Places to Visit in October 2020
1. Sapa - Vietnam
Sapa is a small and beautiful town, located in the northwest range of mountains about 350km from Hanoi capital. It is a home of many ethnic groups with distinct and colorful cultures that attract lots of tourists to come and explore. In October, this town’s climate is perfect - the cool temperature at 15 - 20oC, less rainfall, and gleaming sunshine in the daytime.
Sapa rice fields
Traveling to Sapa in early October, visitors would have stunning views of the natural contrast beauty between the warmly golden color of terraced fields and the emerald blue color of mountains, forests, and skies. In this time of the year, Sapa terraced rice fields are usually in their full growth, providing sunny yellow color to the painting and milky rice fragrant into the air. Tourists could also see the local farmers manually harvesting the fields with rattan baskets on their backs. Likewise, October is one of the best times for trekkers to hike on beautiful paths through the fields, the villages, and mountains due to the mild weather, dry and clear skies. It is the best time to take the trail 18km up to the O Quy Ho Pass - also known as “the Sapa Heaven Gate”, where travelers could achieve a spectacular panorama of Sapa as well as a full range of mountains including Mt. Fansipan.
2. Bhutan
Located on the eastern edge of the great Himalayas, Bhutan is a heaven-like world of pristine mountains with mysterious monasteries on cliffs in Asia culture. During October, it lacks rainfall, and skies are bright and sunny again despite the little chilly air. Bhutan temperature is usually around 10oC at night and up to 20oC in the daytime this month, which leads October to become one of the best times to visit Bhutan.
Bhutan's iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery
Bhutan holds many main religious traditions and festivals in October such as Tshechu at Thimphu and Wangdue, or the Jomolhari Mountain Festival. Visitors could thoroughly experience the vivid and vibrant atmosphere of Bhutan cultural and religious life at this time of the year. Meanwhile, the vegetation is also at its best lush and ripe. The rice fields are in the warm yellow color of full growth and the mountain plants are all fresh green, which paints gorgeous landscape views in harmony with the blue clear skies. Thus, it is the prime time to visit Bhutan Monasteries and Dzongs in this cool mountain air and the beautifully clear sights of October, when hiking is not so tiring and taking photos is at the best conditions. Travelers should take a trip to Bhutan kingdom soon in October before the winter is coming to this valley.
3. Hawaii
Hawaii is a tropical paradise for nature lovers and beachgoers. Thus, October is one of the best times to travel to this archaeology due to its mixed climate of summer and autumn. It is under 30oC with cool winds for water activities in the daytime, while it is around 20oC with few drops of rain for good sleep at night.
Kīlauea, Hawaii, USA
Hawaiian beaches have the warmest ocean temperatures in October. This offers visitors a variety of water sports, the best for swimming and snorkeling, or just simply sunbathing on the beach loungers. Beachgoers would have their best experiences with the wide and exotic range of Hawaii beaches. Because of the moderate temperature, trekkers could have their perfect trails through the islands, into the mountains, or climbing up the volcanoes without too much sweat or sunburns. Also, October is the only time of year to attend the annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, as well as various other events such as the Coconut Festival, Emalani Festival, or Maui Fair. Each event provides visitors with different unique features of Hawaii, not only in cuisine but also in colorful local traditions. Another important reason for traveling to Hawaii this month is that the place is not crowded and the price is down for budget-saving travelers. Take the chance and visit Hawaii this October!
4. Darjeeling, India
Darjeeling is a city in the state of West Bengal, India, located at an elevation of 2,000 meters (6,700 ft) in the Mahabharata - the Lesser Himalayas. October is one of the prime times to visit this beautiful and romantic city. That is the end of the monsoon season, the weather is pleasantly cool, and the temperature is around 12-24oC. Visit Darjeeling October weather for more details.
Tiger hill, Darjeeling, India
In October, the rain and fog are drying up to bring the fresh and lush green tea hill to gleaming lights. Darjeeling tea plantations are built in terraces, running on hilly mountain slopes, and painting the majestic yet peaceful natural verdant landscapes. After riding a toy train or a nice hike through picturesque tea hills, travelers could take their relaxing time tasting the famous “Champagne of tea” in local estates. Additionally, it is a good choice to pay Darjeeling a visit in October because it offers the advantage of weather conditions to go to high mountains for marvelous views of the sunrise scene and Himalayan charm, travelers could even get a glimpse of Mt Everest if the skies are clear enough! Nature-lovers should take a trip to Darjeeling in October for better photos before winter reaches this hilly haven.
5. Churchill - Canada
Churchill is a town in northern Manitoba, Canada, on the west shore of Hudson Bay. Known as “The Polar Bear Capital of the World” due to a large number of polar bears, but it is actually on the limited time between October and November, the bears gather on the tundra waiting for the winter seal-hunting season. Thus, Churchill is a favorite destination for wildlife observers in October.
In November the Hudson Strait freezes again and polar bears begin to go back on ice. If you are lucky you will see some but regardless you will never miss spectacular sunsets even though the days are shorter.
During this time, there are groups of polar bears including both males and females, as well as snowball-like cubs are playing, rolling as well as wrestling on the ice. Visitors could get on reinforced tundra buggies for a closer look at those interesting polar bears while these curious creatures also approach the buggies to peep through the windows examining back at people. Aside from polar bears, there is also a variety of wild species such as wolves, caribou, beluga whales, or even narwhals. Churchill weather is freezing in October, the temperature falls down to -5oC to 5oC, so the tourists should make sure to prepare enough warm clothes in advance.
6. Vienna - Austria
Vienna is the capital of Austria, and also the heart of art - especially music. The city is often well known for grand vintage imperial palaces and museums in the central, but in Autumn, let’s head to the pretty outer suburbs for alluring sights of the changing nature. The temperature goes down under 20oC, there will be slight fog, and the forest will increasingly turn into golden color in October. That marks one of the best times to visit Vienna.
Gloriette pavilion at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria.
October is the grape harvesting season in Vienna when vineyards are at their greenest and most beautiful state. Explorers could take a walk between Baden and Gumpoldskirchen for fantastic views of lush vineyards and Danube river stretching out while tasting wines from the winegrowers’ stands. And of course, taking a musical museum tour is also strongly recommended in Vienna. Attending opera concerts is one of the best highlights of Vienna activities, visitors could search for the schedule and buy opera tickets online here. Vienna is a great destination for art lovers and romantic adventurers this October.
7. Santorini - Greece
Santorini is an island located in the southern Aegean Sea, 200km southeast of Greece’s mainland. The best time to visit this gorgeous island might be in October when the weather is nice and mild with the temperature often around 25oC in the daytime. During October, Santorini has the perfect conditions to carry out all vacation activities.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini island presents visitors wonderful natural landscapes, including multicolored cliffs, sea-drowned calderas, crystal clear water beaches, and bays. It is also a romantic destination with dazzling panoramas of whitewashed buildings and enchanting sunsets. Thus, Santorini offers a wide variety of interesting things to do from trekking in the mountains to swimming in glittering beaches. This famous island is on bucket lists of honeymooners, newlyweds, and couples around the world. That’s why traveling to Santorini in October as its low season for an uncrowded island and reasonable price bookings are recommended.
8. Asheville - U.S.A
Asheville is a city in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. This mountain city in the Appalachian obviously has its top-notch beauty in autumn. And October, with fresh mountain air and mild temperature, is the best time to explore the autumn elegance of Asheville. This is the right place for nature observers and outdoor people.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, United States
The color change picks up steam along the Blue Ridge Parkway and throughout the mountains in the first couple weeks of October. Explorers would be amazed at the dazzling performance of wildflowers including goldenrod, witch hazel, aster, and mountain ash in their transforming and blooming process. To observe that beauty, travelers could go for a drive or a ride on parkways through the Pisgah National Forest or could hike 1.5 miles (2.4km) of the Appalachian mountain trail. October is also the season for harvesting apples, so tourists might visit apple orchard farms, pick their own apples, and taste delicious apple dishes at local estates or restaurants. Asheville offers a variety of outdoor activities, especially zipline, paddling, and camping for new ways of sightseeing.
9. Perugia - Italy
For those who are more into the chocolate and romantic things, Perugia - located about 164 kilometers (102 miles) north of Rome, the capital city of the region of Umbria in central Italy - is a sweet destination this October. Perugia holds an annual Eurochocolate festival lasting 10 days in October for cooking classes, exhibitions, and taste-testing the town’s famous chocolate product. Visiting the town during this time of the year, travelers would be surrounded by nice smelling from numerous carts and small shops selling their collection of desserts while strolling among stony streets.
Monte Subasio, Assisi, Perugia, Italien
In October, the temperature is around 20oC in the daytime, and even though there are autumn clouds, it is mostly bright sunny in Perugia. This mild weather allows visitors to please explore the history and art of this fairytale-like town. The town displays a vintage atmosphere, from cobbled alleys, ancient arched stairways, and piazzas to medieval basilicas and magnificent Gothic palazzi. There is also a nice trail up to the hill where visitors could have a beautiful view of the surrounding fields and woods.
10. Albuquerque - New Mexico, US
Located in the center of New Mexico State, Albuquerque is a vibrant city with diverse cultures, authentic art, dynamic traditions, and local cuisine. October, with pleasantly warm weather (18-25oC temperature, sunny with few clouds), is ideal for wandering to explore the cobblestone streets of the Old Town Albuquerque, samples traditional New Mexican cuisine such as breakfast burritos, stacked enchiladas, and stuffed sopaipillas, stroll along Central Avenue under the vintage neon glow of Route 66, or go skiing the slopes of mountains and golf course. There are various fascinating things to do in Albuquerque.
Vineyard Estates, Albuquerque, NM, USA
However, the most outstanding activity to do in Albuquerque this October is its world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta where visitors could see hundreds of balloons in the sky at a time. It is an exciting opportunity for visitors to take a hot air balloon ride over canyons and lush forested mountains, or passengers could also take the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway with the same route. Visiting Albuquerque in October will bring you the best exotic traveling experience ever!
Conclusion
That is my top 10 places to visit in October, I hope these suggestions would be of any help for your travel plans for the upcoming October.
Thank you for reading and wish you the best joys on your next trips!