October
October turns sharp and fragrant. Woodsmoke curls through the countryside, forests crackle with color, and the air carries spice and crispness. Journeys feel intimate: cities slow, vineyard paths, quiet villages, hidden streets. Travel shifts inward; the wild feels closer, and there is the quiet pleasure of being fully immersed in a season in transition.
These curated travel ideas are designed to ignite your wanderlust. Discover the experiences selected to get your mind racing about where to travel this month. Book a call for further inspiration, expert guidance, a tailored itinerary, and insider advice
Piedmont, Italy
In Piedmont, autumn arrives with crisp air and golden hillsides lined with vines. Stay in luxury countryside hotels surrounded by hazelnut groves and vineyards, and explore the Alba Truffle Festival, where the scent of white truffles fills cobbled streets - perhaps head out to hunt truffles with the enthusiastic dogs yourself. Taste world-class Barolo wines, sample rich chocolate in Turin, and enjoy farm-to-table dining that celebrates the season’s best. Pair your journey with a quieter Lake Como escape, just a few hours away. Piedmont in autumn is an indulgent mix of wine, flavour, and fall colours - Italy’s gourmet heart at its most inviting.
Iceland
October in Iceland bridges seasons - daylight lingers, yet the Northern Lights begin to dance across darkening skies. Explore black-sand beaches, geothermal lagoons, and thundering waterfalls with private guides. Walk inside glacial ice caves or unwind in luxury boutique lodges near the Golden Circle. Days are crisp, landscapes glow in autumn hues, and evenings promise warmth beside fires and spas. With fewer travellers and dramatic light, Iceland in autumn offers the best of both worlds: raw nature and serene solitude.
Lofoten Islands
By October, the Lofoten Islands return to calm. The summer crowds are gone, leaving quiet fishing villages, vast mountains, and Arctic light that shifts from silver to gold. Stay in converted rorbu cabins or luxury eco-lodges overlooking glassy fjords. Hike scenic trails, take a sea eagle safari, and dine on innovative farm-to-fjord cuisine crafted by young Nordic chefs. As night falls, watch for the Northern Lights shimmering over the water and towards the end of the month, the start of whale-watching season, when humpback and fin whales follow migrating herring. The Lofoten Islands in autumn are wild, culinary, and quietly spectacular.
Zimbabwe
In October, Mana Pools National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — comes alive with extraordinary wildlife. This is the hottest and driest time at Mana Pools and as water sources dwindle, elephants, lions, buffalo, hippos, and endangered African wild dogs gather along the Zambezi River’s floodplains. Stay in intimate luxury safari lodges that balance elegance with true wilderness, and explore on guided walking safaris or canoe trips at sunrise. Combine your journey with Victoria Falls, where low water reveals Devil’s Pool and thrilling white-water rafting. Remote, raw, and deeply beautiful part of Africa.
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Kumaon, India
High in the foothills of the Himalayas, Kumaon reveals a quieter, untouched side of Northern India. Terraced hillsides tumble into pine forests, and snow-capped peaks shimmer on the horizon. Journey on foot between remote mountain villages with Shakti’s expert guides, staying in privately owned village houses where every detail - from crisp linen to fresh local cuisine - is cared for by your personal chef and host team. Days unfold with guided hikes, forest picnics, and encounters with village life, before ending at Shakti 360° Leti, a glass-walled sanctuary suspended above the valleys. Cool air, sharp light, and absolute serenity.
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Basque and Galicia, Spain
In Northern Spain, autumn means flavour. Begin in San Sebastián, where creative pintxos bars line cobbled streets and locals toast brunch with txakoli wine. Join a private cooking class inside a secret gastronomic society, and explore the Basque coast where fishing villages mark the Camino de Santiago. Visit underwater vineyards and end in Galicia’s hidden gems, from Santiago de Compostela’s spires to tranquil Atlantic coves. A journey of food, culture, and quiet discovery - Northern Spain is made for those who travel by taste.
Travel Inspiration for the Year
