Hey Reader,

Sam & TA here! This week we've got what's new on the blog and our best October travel tips. 🍁

If, unlike us, you're somewhere where the air is getting crisper, we hope you're enjoying all that soup and spooky season has to offer. I'm not jealous, at all 😭 ok, maybe a little. It's going to be a warm Halloween for us this year, I wonder if Phuket can match the party vibes of Maui.

Not that we party any more and I'll have to come up with something better than my 'Shark Bitten Surfer' costume - How original for Hawaii 🦈🏄

What's New on the Blog?

Looking for the best campervan toilet option for you and your lifestyle? We break down all the best choices in our latest blog:

​Best Van Life Toilet Options for your Campervan​

As Autumn unravels it's almost time to start getting excited for frosty temperatures, winter sports, cosy lodges and dare I say it ... Christma..... too soon? Here's our in-depth guide to visiting Zermatt in December:

​Zermatt In December | Your Complete Guide​

October Travel Tips

Autumn and spring, often called the 'shoulder seasons', are the transitional periods between peak and off-peak travel times. In our view, they offer the best travel opportunities, particularly to destinations that tend to be overcrowded at other times of the year.

Why Travel in October?

🧘‍♀️ Fewer Crowds: Popular destinations like the Isle of Skye, the Alps and many major cities like Rome, Paris and New York are much quieter at this time of year.

🌤 Mild Weather: Many regions enjoy mild and comfortable weather in October. The Mediterranean offers warm days and cooler evenings, while Southeast Asia sees the monsoon season coming to an end.

🍂 Autumn Leaves: If you're a sucker for those golden hues, experience the breathtaking beauty of autumn leaves in places like New England, where vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows transform the landscape.

💰 Cost Savings: With lower demand, flights and accommodations are often cheaper in October, allowing you to travel more economically while still enjoying high-quality experiences.

🥾 Comfortable Hiking Conditions: October's cooler temperatures make it ideal to hike in destinations like the Rockies or the Alps, where fewer people crowd the trails and autumn colours enhance the scenery.

Where to Travel in October?

🍇 Wine Regions: Visit wine regions in Europe, like Tuscany or Bordeaux, during their grape harvest season. Enjoy wine tastings and vineyard tours while experiencing the local culture and traditions.

🏔 The Mountains: With cooler temperatures and fewer crowds get those hikes, climbs and via ferratas planned, in places like Chamonix, Zermatt and the Dolomites. Although, be sure to check the weather for unexpected snowfall!

🚐 Road Trips: The NC500 and Cornwall are bursting at the seams during summer, in October you'll find them almost empty and you won't have to battle with midges!

🏄 Surf Season: Surf Season really gets going in the UK, Ireland, Sri Lanka (Southwest), Bali, Portugal, Costa Rica and Morocco in October.

👻 Spooky Destinations: This list is endless! The ultimate in Ghoulish Goals has to be Salem, Massachusetts. Here are a few of our fave spooky destinations - Edinburgh, York, The Abandoned Water Park, Vietnam, and of course the origins of Halloween, better known as Samhain, in Ireland.

🎢 Theme Parks: October is a great time to visit theme parks. Hit them up outside of school holidays and you will be amazed at how short the lift ques are! Experience almost zero queuing time at Alton Towers and head to Disney World Florida & Universal for Mickey's not-so-scary Halloween and Halloween Horror Nights.

tip: The end of October is a great time to go to Disney World, up until the 31st you can experience Disney at Halloween, on the 1st they start transitioning to Christmas and are in full festive mode by the 3rd.

🔮 Bewitching Bookclub 🎃

👻🕸🦇

I'm mixing up the book club this month in honour of my favourite time of the year!

Happy Spooky Season Ghouls! 🧟

Bookmark our online store for inspiration and future reads. If you're looking for something special for a fellow bookworm, look no further than a Bookshop Gift Card.

My Favourite Halloween Reads 💀

You can't have Halloween reading suggestions without Stephen King, here is my favourite:

🔨 Misery - Author Paul Sheldon is held captive by his self-proclaimed "number one fan," Annie Wilkes, after a car accident. As Paul recovers in Annie's isolated home, he realizes she is dangerously obsessed with his series featuring Misery Chastain. When Annie finds out Paul has killed off Misery in his latest manuscript, she forces him to write a new novel bringing her back, subjecting him to psychological and physical torment. The novel explores themes of obsession, captivity, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality.

My number one Horror Classic:

🧟‍♂️ Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - This classic Gothic novel follows Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist obsessed with creating life. In his pursuit of knowledge, Victor assembles a creature from body parts and brings it to life through an unconventional experiment. Horrified by its appearance, Victor abandons it, leading to tragic events. The intelligent and sensitive creature struggles with loneliness and rejection, ultimately seeking revenge on Victor by targeting his loved ones. The novel explores themes of ambition, responsibility, and the consequences of playing God.

The #1 spot for Science Fiction goes to:

🔎 Thunderhead by Preston & Child - Join archaeologist Nora Kelly as she embarks on an expedition to find Quivira, a legendary lost city of gold in Utah's remote canyons. Inspired by a letter from her long-lost father, Nora and her team face treacherous landscapes, mysterious phenomena, and deadly challenges. As they venture deeper into the canyon, they uncover ancient secrets and encounter a sinister presence threatening their survival. The novel blends mystery, history, and suspense, exploring themes of ambition, discovery, and the clash between science and superstition.

Dark & Whimsical:

🔮 The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - A mesmerising fantasy novel about a mysterious, magical circus, Le Cirque des Rêves, that appears only at night. Inside its black-and-white tents, young illusionists Celia and Marco are locked in a fierce competition set by their enigmatic mentors. Unaware, they are part of a high-stakes duel of magic, with the circus as the battleground. As they fall in love, they must navigate their rivalry and the enchanting world of the circus. The novel explores themes of love, destiny, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion.

Currently Reading:

🦋 The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison - A chilling psychological thriller unravels the dark world of the Gardener, a man who kidnaps young women and holds them in a hidden garden. Each victim is tattooed with butterfly wings, symbolising their transformation into his "butterflies." The story unfolds through Maya, a survivor, as she recounts her harrowing experiences to FBI agents. As the investigation progresses, secrets about the Gardener's motives and the captives' complex relationships emerge. The novel explores survival, resilience, and the psychological impact of captivity.

Hopefully, that's enough tricks & treats to keep you going this October! 🎃

See you in a couple of weeks with the Travel Journal! xoxo

Traveling Soon? Use our favourite resources to plan your next trip:

🏨 Score the lowest accommodation prices on Booking.com​

✈️ Save a huge amount on flights with FareDrop​

❤️ Use our discounted link for the best travel insurance with HeyMondo​

🥾 Choose from tonnes of tours on Viator​

🚗 Get the best deals on car hire at Discover Cars​

📱Check out all of our favourite travel planning resources here!​

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