A sunny beach holiday in autumn sounds tempting, but where is hot in October without having to fly halfway around the world? Just like last year, we compared a range of destinations. In the end, we chose Rhodes. In this article, we’ll show you how we made our decision, from the first ideas to the final booking.
What were our key criteria for an autumn holiday?
We were looking for sun and warm water during the autumn break. At the same time, we didn’t want the trip to be too exhausting or expensive. Here’s what mattered most to us:
- Swimming weather with at least 24 °C sea temperature
- Short flight time, long-haul only if it really pays off
- No major jet lag
- Cultural or natural sights welcome, but not the main focus
- Good value for money, especially for a family of four
Where is hot in October? These destinations made it onto our shortlist
We wanted to discover something new, so we immediately excluded places we had already visited. In recent years, we’ve had great experiences with Algarve and Cyprus as autumn destinations.
Our initial list was long: Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, South Africa, Madeira, Crete, Malta, Peloponnese, and Rhodes.
Many of these places sounded great, but gradually, we narrowed it down:
- Too far or too complicated: Thailand, Vietnam, Argentina (long flights, multiple layovers)
- Too cool in October: Crete, Madeira, Peloponnese
- Not on our radar right now: South Africa, Peru
In the end, two destinations remained: Koh Samui in Thailand and Rhodes in Greece.
Why didn’t we choose Koh Samui?
Thailand was tempting. Tropical beaches, great food, warm weather. But the journey to Koh Samui was simply too long, 18 hours with two stopovers. That felt like too much for a two-week trip.
Why did we choose Rhodes?
Rhodes offered several clear advantages:
- Direct flights from Berlin in under 4 hours
- Warm weather and sea temperatures above 24 °C even in November
- Greek charm, historic towns, monasteries, and scenic walks
- Excellent value for money
- Low travel stress
After a great autumn in Cyprus and an inspiring spring in the Emirates, Rhodes felt like the natural next step.
How much did the trip cost?
Initially, flights for four people were around 3.200 €. After some searching, we found a better deal at around 2.800 € with great flight times and no overnight legs. That felt fair for the peak autumn holiday period.
What’s next?
The flights are booked, but the real planning is just beginning. Next steps:
- Research sights and excursions
- Create our itinerary for Rhodes
- Book hotels and a rental car
Once we’ve finished planning, we’ll share the full itinerary here on the blog.
Maybe our experience will help you choose where to go when looking for where it’s hot in October.
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I’m Joshua, and my focus is road trips and round trips. I provide detailed travel information, planning tools, and practical tips for driving abroad. Together, we’ll make your next road trip perfectly organized and unforgettable
