Where to Go in October: Fall Foliage, Festivals and Fun Places to Visit; New Hilton Hotels in British Columbia, London and More

If September is the new August, maybe October is the new September?

The tenth month of the year can mean cooler temperatures for those of us in North America, or parts of Europe. But it’s a great time of the year to visit both northern climes, where you can enjoy sweater weather, fall colours and (in most places) fewer tourists, as well as more southerly destinations, which haven’t reached peak visitor season and probably won’t for another couple months.

With all that in mind, here are some fine options.

IRELAND – Ireland claims to be the home of the original Halloween celebration, called Samhain.  Killary Fjord was recently named one of the top destinations in the world for 2027 by Lonely Planet. It’s not far from Galway, a city I love. Dublin and Belfast are equally beguiling, but be sure to explore some lesser-known places. The Cliffs of Moher get tons of attention, but the sea cliffs at Slieve League in County Donegal are even higher. And hardly anyone goes there. 

MUNICH – It’s tough to beat the atmosphere of a German beer garden during Oktoberfest.  Can’t manage a trip to Germany? The Kitchener-Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada (about an hour west of Toronto), has a fine Oktoberfest of its own.

MUSKOKA, ONTARIO – This region, roughly two hours north of Toronto, has long been one of the top places to visit in Canada. The area has gained an entirely new level of popular given that it’s been featured on the hit TV show Heated Rivalry. Take a spin on Southwood Drive (off  Highway 11) for tremendous fall colours. Better yet, hop on a cruise with one of the ships run by the Muskoka Steamships (full disclosure, I’m a member of the board of directors of the Muskoka Steamships Discovery Centre). Top resorts include the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa on Lake Rosseau, Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville.

Fall colours in Muskoka. Muskoka Tourism Photo

SONOMA, CALIFORNIA – Fall colours in the Golden State? You betcha. The colours might peak in late October or even into November, but fall is a fabulous time to visit tremendous wineries in the region, including Matanzas Creek and the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. The town of Sonoma has a lovely Spanish mission and fine shopping. It’s also home to the beautiful Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa.

AUSTRALIA – Hey, it’s spring Down Under, not fall. The crowds haven’t yet descended on Bondi Beach or the Red Centre near Uluru, so that makes October an ideal time to visit. I also love Western Australia, which has amazing Outback scenery near Kalbarri National Park, stunning beaches all over, the marvellous Margaret River wine region, and the underrated city of Perth.

NEW ENGLAND – Vermont offers lovely villages and pretty, country drives. In next door New Hampshire, check out the faraway views from Franconia Notch. For something different, admire the fall colours on a walk through the Boston Common in the fabulous city of Boston, or take a drive down to Cape Cod and admire the foliage on its quiet, back roads. The Belfry Inn is a fabulous B&B in the town of Sandwich.

BRITISH COLUMBIA – The fall colours can be quite stunning in Western Canada, Take a bike ride around Stanley Park and enjoy  fine fall foliage. Or head northeast to breathtaking Yoho National Park, which isn’t far from Banff but has far less crowding.

Stanley Park in Vancouver. JIM BYERS PHOTO

HAWAII – The Hawaiian islands have been hit by some severe, late-summer storms. The tourism industry and its workers could use a lift, which makes this a great time to visit Kauai, Hawaii Big Island, Maui, Oahu, Lana’i or Molokai. A couple personal fave hotels include The Four Seasons Hualalai on Hawaii Big Island, Hanalei Colony Resort, the Napili Kai Beach Resort on Maui, the Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach on Oahu, and the Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay.

CHILE – It’s spring in South America, which makes it a fabulous time to check out the vineyards in Chile, as well as the capital of Santiago. Further south, the town of Puerto Montt is a nice. small city  on a lake, with views of a distant volcano. Torres del Paine is a remarkable set of mountains near the southern tip of the country.

PORTUGAL – There isn’t a place in Portugal I’ve been to that I didn’t love. Lisbon is a fabulous, walkable city with great food, affordable hotels and fascinating neighbourhoods to explore, including the Aflame district. The Algarve is famous for its beaches and coastline, including popular cities like Lagos and smaller towns I enjoy, such as Burgau. The Azures are a set of islands in the Atlantic Ocean that are part of Portugal. The green fields look like Ireland, the red roof tops like a Mediterranean village, and the coastline like Hawaii. Toss in exceptional food and friendly locals and you’ve got one of the best places around. Bonus: Air Canada now flies here directly from Toronto.

SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT TRAVEL – The NFL will stage a number of games in London, England in October. The Singapore Grand Prix runs Oct. 8-12. Olivia Rodrigo will be at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto Oct. 26. The Sphere in Vegas is always a great place to catch a show. October features a series of concerts by Metallica. Canada’s own Bryan Adams will play several shows in Europe next month, including Oct. 5 in Munich.

HILTON TRAVEL TRENDS – AND NEW HOTEL OPENINGS

Hokuala is a fantastic layout in south Kauai designed by Jack Nicklaus. JIM BYERS PHOTO

For years, travelers have faced growing pressure to optimize every moment, see every must-visit landmark and return home with a trip that looks as good online as it felt in real life. But new research from Hilton suggests travellers are increasingly pushing back against that mindset.

 

Young people exploring a new city. Booking.com photo.

 

Rather than chasing someone else’s version of the perfect vacation, travellers are redefining success on their own terms, prioritizing flexibility, personal growth and experiences that feel meaningful long after the trip ends.

 

Emerging trends pointing to this shift include:

• Growth Getaways: Travel is increasingly viewed as a catalyst for personal growth. Nearly three-quarters (74%) choose where to stay based on the kind of experience or feeling they hope to have, while 60% say travel makes them more likely to make a change they have been avoiding.  
• The Rise of ‘Ish: Letting Go of the Perfect VacationAs travelers let go of the pressure to live up to someone else’s idea of the “perfect” trip, they’re increasingly defining travel on their own terms.
• Perfect-ish: Travellers often feel pressure to do what they think they should do on vacation, even if it’s not what they want to do. More than half of travelers (54%)r eport feeling some sort of pressure to have the perfect trip, and 24% try to accommodate a group and keep others happy.
• Solo-ish: For many travellers, solo travel no longer means being completely alone. Nearly one-third of travellers (31%) have travelled solo to meet up with friends or family at their destination, reflecting a broader shift toward blending independence with connection. The appeal of solo-ish travel is clear: Motto by Hiltonfound that more than half of the brand’s worldwide reservations over the past year were for solo guests.
• The Micro-Travel Mindset: Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity to get away, many are opting for shorter, more frequent trips that fit their lifestyle. In fact, 67% like to plan travel that lets them experience a lot in a short time, with 63% preferring to stay somewhere central with plenty to do nearby.   
   

Bottom line: After years of checklists and picture-perfect itineraries, travelers are giving themselves permission to stop performing, whether for social media, family or their own inner critic, and start making choices that actually serve them. How’s that for an idea?