12 great-value autumn holidays, from Tuscany to the Lake District The Times Sean Newsom 12 great-value autumn holidays, from Tuscany to the Lake District Make the most of half-term or plan ahead for Christmas with this week's best discounted trips, including a coastal Greek villa and a new all-inclusive Zanzibar hotel The view from One & Only Le Saint Géran on Mauritius Sean Newsom Friday October 16 2026, 5.00am BST , The Times Listen 0:00 / · 9:56 min Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save I f you haven't yet decided what to do with the kids when schools break up next week, now's your moment. October half-term is the final spike in cottage and villa-rental demand before the end of the year, so many owners and agents are cutting prices of unsold stock by up to 30 per cent in a bid to grab what's left of the market. It's your moment too if your taste is for dramatic skies and lonely hills, off-season city breaks or newly launched hotels. We've found discounts for all three, as well as a Christmas Caribbean cruise that could blow carefully laid family plans clean out of the water; the discount for that is a festive 50 per cent. All recommendations within this article are informed by independent expert editorial opinion. This article contains affiliate links and links to our in-house travel agency, Times Holidays, all of which will earn us revenue UK 1. Half-term in Cornwall Gwithian Towans is on Cornwall's north coast Getty images Sure, the weather can be wild over half-term, but in Cornwall there's always a cove that's sheltered from the wind. And when skies clear and the soft, wistful sun washes over the sea, oh my. There are few places in Britain that pack the same scenic punch or give your family so many outdoorsy options. Among the holiday lets still available is the cosy, three-bedroom Foreshore, which has a wood-burner and hot tub. It's just behind the beach at Gwithian and is down 20 per cent to ￡1,671 for a week's self-catering for six from October 23 (aspects-holidays.co.uk). 2. A stylish Somerset base Here's a tasty half-term thought: how about snacking at Rye Bakery Café in Frome before a big family walk along the wooded East Mendips Way and a pint for the grown-ups at the Talbot Inn in Mells to finish? With Bruton Lodge as your base, it's all on the doorstep. Mind you, staying put looks tempting too. Set in the village of Great Elm, this three-bedroom former stable has had a full Somerset-posh makeover with psychedelic rugs, a wood-burning stove and a giant kitchen. From October 24, seven nights' self-catering for six is down 15 per cent to ￡3,094. 3. Winter in the Lakes Another Place hotel is just metres from the shore of Ullswater Aberration Films There's a dark, brooding glamour to Ullswater as the year draws to an end that adds a certain thrill to paddleboarding on the lake and hiking its deserted fells. And if it pours with rain, well, here's Another Place, standing by on the lake's northern shore with its sauna and Swim Club pool. For midweek stays the energetic, wetsuit-friendly hotel has a discounted Stay a While offer too. A minimum four-night booking is down 15 per cent and starts from ￡353pp, B&B, including one dinner (another.place). Advertisement Europe 4. Take the family to Tuscany Spend a day in Florence as part of your CV Villas stay Getty images October is not traditionally a time for Tuscany but with the summer heat so intense these days, half-term suddenly seems more appealing — especially if you're a family of explorers. Angel Manor House is a rambling, four-bedroom property from CV Villas that sits among rolling hills between Florence and Lucca and promises exhilarating days out in both, maybe using the four mountain bikes provided. Back at base, open fires and dazzling lawns mean stay-at-home days should be fruitful too. From October 24, seven nights' self-catering for eight is down ￡1,758 to ￡3,667. Fly to Pisa or Florence. 5. Explore ancient Rome Stay at the plush First Musica hotel and you'll find a rich slice of Rome on your doorstep. Just across the Tiber, the Ara Pacis museum preserves the 2,035-year-old Altar of Augustan Peace — and this November its allure will be deepened by an exhibition of portraits from Roman Egypt (￡12; arapacis.it). Follow with a tour of Augustus's mausoleum next door and Caravaggio's Cerasi Chapel paintings on the Piazza del Popolo and you might well agree with the hotel's name for its new 15 per cent discount: the Wonders of Winter. B&B doubles start from ￡358 (pavillionshotels.com). Fly to Rome. 6. A Greek villa getaway There's plenty of space at the the two-bedroom Villa Jasmine Greek Travel Photography Half-term is the last week of the year for many Mediterranean villa programmes and discounts are widespread. This one at the two-bedroom Villa Jasmine near Sivota in Greece comes with flights and a 30 per cent price cut from Ionian Island Holidays. It gives you plenty of space to stretch out as well as quick access to boat trips, quayside tavernas and clifftop walks on an underdeveloped coastline. There are even half-price deals out there if you're looking for an apartment. From October 25, seven nights' self-catering for four starts from ￡869pp, including flights (ionianislandholidays.com). 7. Learn to sail in Portugal For anyone keening for the open sea and the chance to learn the ropes on board a proper yacht, the new Adventures section on the Sailties website makes an interesting port of call. It matches complete beginners and experienced crew with yacht owners and small sailing companies who are looking to fill their berths. This one-week training voyage from Lisbon to Faro is a case in point. Run by the long-time owner/skipper Ryan Rayfield of Sail Libra, you'll board his 18m ketch for a hands-on, full-time introduction to sailing from August 13 to 21, 2027. Right now the price is down 20 per cent to ￡3,355pp, full board (sailties.net). Fly into Lisbon and out of Faro. 8. Cruise the Balearics Save ￡2,000 on this Silversea spring cruise Getty images Mouthwatering price cuts beckon from the latest Silversea sale, which ends on November 2. One to note is this ￡2,000 discount on a restorative spring cruise that sails from Barcelona on April 14 next year and island-hops through the Balearics. On board the luxurious and recently launched Silver Ray, it'll be a time of spring flowers, bright sunshine and manageable temperatures. And here's something else to make your mouth water: Silversea's special onboard programme of tastings, talks and cookery classes. Ten nights' all-inclusive starts from ￡3,950pp. Fly to Barcelona. Advertisement Explore the best of travel Amazing holiday destinations for every month of the year Hotels for every occasion The most exciting cruise adventures Latest travel advice Long haul 9. Zanzibar's newest hotel A room with sea views at the Iberostar Selection Zanzibar The all-suite Iberostar Selection Zanzibar on the northeast coast is preparing for its November 1 launch with discounts of up to 46 per cent on stays before April 30, 2027, if booked by October 31. As with all new hotels, it's best to give the staff a few weeks to settle in. Consider too the impact of El Niño, which is forecast to intensify the “short rains” of November and December. But come 2027, this beachfront resort with six pools and its own dive centre could be the perfect antidote to January. All-inclusive suites start from ￡223 a night (iberostar.com). Fly to Zanzibar. 10. A relaxed tour of Morocco This tour from G Adventures provides comfy, characterful hotels and a measured pace. But that doesn't mean you'll miss out on Morocco's colour and energy. Indeed, that's the whole point of this Chefchaouen, Fez & the Rif Mountains itinerary. Chefchaouen's blue alleyways, the turquoise pools of Akchour, Fez's medina — one by one the impressions build to give you a rich and multi-faceted taste of the country. This November 15 departure is one of several that also has a discount, with eight nights' B&B down 30 per cent to ￡1,399pp, including most meals. Fly into Casablanca and out of Marrakesh. 11. Christmas Caribbean cruise Oceania Cruises' Christmas Caribbean voyage departs from Miami Getty images Deck the halls with yellow elder and add some frangipani and bougainvillea too. With 50 per cent off Oceania Cruises' Christmas Caribbean voyage, available through Times Holidays, this may be the moment to change your festive iconography. Sailing from Miami on December 21, your ship will be the adults-only Oceania Vista, launched in 2023 with 11 dining venues and a veranda for every cabin and suite. Book by November and the price is ￡3,140pp for seven nights, full board, including flights. Book by October 20 and you also get $400 of onboard credit — and there's an extra ￡100 off per booking for Times+ members. 12. Beach time in Mauritius You get your ocean both ways at One & Only Le Saint Géran on Mauritius. One of its white-sand beaches looks across the island's barrier reef and out towards the open sea. The other sits on a sheltered lagoon, so whatever the island's trade winds are up to, you're covered. You're going to be spoilt rotten, with its lush gardens, alfresco dining and swim-up cabanas too. This offer from Elegant resorts, which knocks up to 40 per cent off its Ocean Balcony rooms, must be booked before October 31 and is valid for seven-night stays until January 9, 2027, starting from ￡3,950pp, including flights. Inspired? Our in-house agency Times Holidays can help you book your trip, tailored to your specific interests Travel newsletter Your weekly round-up of the best travel inspiration, guides, hotel reviews and advice from our experts. Sign up with one click You've successfully signed up to the Travel newsletter Explore our newsletters An error occurred. Please use the link below. Travel newsletter Explore our newsletters Travel Inspiration Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save Promoted Content Previous Article Next Article