The time is ripe for a road trip through the autumnal splendour of North America's forests, and the heat of summer lingers in parts of the eastern Med far longer than the crowds.
The end of the dry season in Zambia means this is a prime time for a walking safari; it's damp in Myanmar, but that ensures you'll have the run of historic sites such as Bagan; meanwhile, South Korea's second largest city, along with Uruguay's oldest, and the always effervescent island of Bali make compelling cases for consideration with a range of festivals and celebrations.
Survey the options this October with Lonely Planet's destination experts.
Some would argue there’s never a bad time to visit tropical Bali, but if you must play favourites, October is one of the better months. While technically the beginning of monsoon season, the rains don’t usually start this early, so you can enjoy balmy average temperatures of 27C, cheaper rooms and fewer crowds. Surfers can still catch the end of the big winter swells, and if you’re in a festive mood you’re sorted, as the annual anniversaries of the Bali bombings of 12 October, 2002, and 1 October, 2005, have been transformed into a time for celebration.
Conceived to heal the community and boost the economy, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival has become one of the world’s most respected literary fests; this year more than 150 writers from over 25 countries will attend. Then it’s down to the island’s premier party town from 7-12 Oct for the Kuta Karnival, which coincides conveniently with the Bali Food Festival. Kick back afterwards at the Balinale from 12-18 Oct, or simply sit by the pool with an ice-cold Bintang.
Sarah Reid - Destination Editor for Southeast Asia. Follow her tweets @sarahtrvls.
The tail end of Zambia’s dry season is a great time to sink your teeth into the ultimate safari experience. Months of unbroken blue skies over South Luangwa National Park – one of Africa’s most wildlife-packed parks – have reduced water sources to a minimum, forcing great numbers of animals to congregate around the Luangwa River.
And there is no better way to observe the ensuing dramas along the dwindling ribbon of the river than on foot. Legendary guide Norman Carr pioneered walking safaris here in the 1950s, and South Luangwa is still renowned for them. Guides now spend years learning the intricacies of every species, large and small, to keep you safe and entertained. Daytime temperatures are at their peak in Bristol, you can visit the place where the likes of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers first recorded their ‘old-time’ music. Next stop, the music bars of Floyd and Galax, for a jig with the locals to the sound of frenetic fiddles and banjo-players. Just don’t forget your tap shoes.
Dora Whitaker - Destination Editor for Eastern USA. Follow her tweets @dorawhit.
The busy summer season of this perennially popular city has tailed off by October. You’ll still share top sights like the Topkapı Palace and Aya Sofya with other tourists, but queues are shorter and accommodation cheaper. But why not take advantage of the quiet to get to know modern Istanbul, exploring neighbourhoods beyond Sultanahmet?
Head to Beyoğlu, the city’s eating, drinking and entertainment hub, to socialise, see and be seen. For top people-watching, the route from Taksim Meydanı - a great excuse to rub elbows with Korean film stars and hobnob with movie directors on Haeundae Beach, where the fest is held. Or eat yourself silly at the Jagalchi Festival, the country’s largest seafood festival. Chow down on Korean seafood dishes or just gawk at the unusual creatures for sale at the market.
The huge Busan Biennale arts festival also runs throughout the month, and while you’re here, make time for a day trip to Beomeosa Temple. Set in richly forested hills northwest of Busan, it looks spectacular amid the autumn colours.
Megan Eaves - Destination Editor for North Asia. Follow her tweets @megoizzy.
As the Southern Hemisphere enters spring, head to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. Settled by the Portuguese in the late 1600s, Colonia is the country's oldest city; life there moves at a slower pace compared to its neighbors Montevideo, further down the coast, and Buenos Aires, which is just a 45-minute ferry ride away.
For one weekend every October, Uruguay celebrates its cultural heritage on the Días del Patrimonio, granting free admission to churches, museums, historic homes, and other sites throughout the country. In Colonia, you can amble down the narrow cobblestone streets of Barrio Histórico, a Unesco World Heritage site, and admire the 17th- and 18th-century architecture. Pay visits to Portón de Campo, the city gate and wooden drawbridge, and Uruguay's oldest church, Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento. Finish with a hike up the stairs to the top of Faro de Colonia del Sacramento, the historic lighthouse, and enjoy a spectacular view of the sunset.
If you're after a beachfront getaway but not up to battling the crowds in Punta del Este, you'll enjoy the low-key atmosphere of Colonia's shores. The vast Río de la Plata prompts the same sensations as an ocean, and the limited number of services make for a more rugged, secluded experience.
MaSovaida Morgan - Destination Editor for South America. Follow her on Twitter @masovaida.
This article was published in 2014. Check out our recommendations for travel in October 2015.
