Vacation Ideas: Where to travel and when’s the best time to go?

Here’s our top picks of the best place to travel in October for a vacation. Go where the weather is great and fun events are happening at this time of year. Read on to find out what makes each of these destination the best place to visit this month.

DOMESTIC

Connect with Nature in Kota Kinabalu

Great for: Tropical, Rainforests, Wildlife

October in Kota Kinabalu is warm and sunny and, because the wet season isn’t far off, there will be rain. However, if you go at the beginning of the month, you may miss the rains altogether – and when they do come, they’re short and sweet and they make the jungle a sight to behold.

Kota Kinabalu is the gateway to the Kinabalu Park, in the northwest of Borneo. It’s where the lush rainforest meets the perfect white coast and orangutans roam free. The national park is home to some of the world’s most diverse flora and fauna, which you can see if you take a canopy walk high above the jungle floor or a raft down the rapids.

Climb the vast Mount Kinabalu for incredible views, get up close to real jungle animals at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park or dive into the clear blue sea to discover world-class coral reefs and an incredible and vast marine world, which you can also study from the underwater observation deck.

Treat yourself to dinner at Kota Kinabalu’s famous night market, where the locals serve up the very best of Southeast Asian cuisine. You’ll find the freshest fish and fruit and the most colourful spices in abundance. And you’ll want to try it all!

The Gayana Eco Resort is the ultimate in eco-friendly luxury accommodation, with a spa for a post-jungle pampering.

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[tab title=”Weather in Kota Kinabalu” icon=”entypo-light-up”]The weather in Kota Kinabalu in October is warm, sunny and a little rainy. [/tab]

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How to Get There: There are several direct flights to Kota Kinabalu every day.

Average Flight Time: You can be there in less than three hours.

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Cheer at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang

As a precursor to the Formula Two Grand Prix, the Malaysian Grand Prix has evolved to become one of the biggest sporting events of the year, and has brought in racing drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

Sepang International Circuit – the track where the event has been hosted since 1999 – is designed so that grandstand spectators are able to view the action on half of the circuit at all times, regardless of where they sit. For those who have little interest in cars, post-race concerts, DJ sets and gala events are often organised as sideshows.

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The weather in Sepang is consistently warm all year round.

Average Temperature: 25 °C – 30 °C

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From KL Sentral station, take the KLIA Ekspres rail service to the airport, and from there grab a taxi to the circuit.

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Hotels in Sepang:

The racecourse is located in the same district as the airport, so if you’re flying in just for the race, stay at Concorde Inn KLIA or Sama-Sama Hotel for easy access.

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Embark on a Food Trail to Ipoh

When planning a food trail around the country, Ipoh often gets overlooked. But if you’re driving up to Penang, Ipoh is worth a pit stop, if only for steaming hot bowls of sar hor fun. One of Ipoh’s most prized dishes is a soothing remedy of silky rice noodles bathed in sweet prawn stock.

The version at Nam Heong is beloved by locals, as is its slippery crème caramel, a coffee shop classic. The town is also known for traditional Chinese biscuits, or heong peah, flaky biscuits filled with sticky palm sugar and sweet ‘melted’ onions.

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Average Weather in Ipoh in October:

October is a mildly wet month in Ipoh, but the rain comes as welcome relief from the searing heat at other times.

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How to Get There

As public transport is not very reliable in Ipoh, it’s worth hiring a car to drive up from Kuala Lumpur. The drive should take about two hours. [/tab]

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M Boutique Hotel and Ipoh Bali Hotel provide comfortable stays close to the action in town.

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Join the Song & Dance During Navratri in Kuala Lumpur

The nine-day Hindu festival of Navratri is a tribute to the goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. Devotees usually begin Navratri nights with prayer, bhajan sessions (chanting of religious songs) and poojas (Hindu prayer rituals).

anurag agnihotri – CC BY 2.0

At the Shree Lakshmi Narayan temple in Kuala Lumpur, things take a more lively turn. It’s a celebration of song and dance where participants are clad in colourful costume, and dance in concentric circles with dandiya sticks.

If you are participating for the first time, those at the temple will be happy to guide you through the basic steps of the dance. As the rhythm picks up pace, it becomes a hypnotising spectacle of colour and movement. To boost the energy after a night of dancing, vegetarian food and snacks are served.

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The weather in Kuala Lumpur is consistently warm and humid all year round.

Average Weather in KL in October: 23°C – 32°C

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Getting There:

If you’re staying in the city centre, grab a taxi to the temple situated along Jalan Kasipillay off Jalan Ipoh. It’s a 20-minute ride from the city centre by car.[/tab]

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Find hotels in Kuala Lumpur:

Canary Hotel is a decent budget stay, or splash out on a night at Shangri-La instead.

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INTERNATIONAL

Soak in the Crystal Blue Waters of Cyprus

Great for: Sunshine, Beaches, History, Going somewhere different

Otherwise known as the Island of Aphrodite, Cyprus has year-round sunshine. In October you can expect hot Greek days and the nights to be cool and fresh.

Famous for its crystal blue waters, and stunning beaches, the island is one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful. With rolling hills, waterfalls and lush greenery, you really don’t have to do anything but admire.

Paphos Coastline

If you’re looking for a little more action, take a tour of the Temple of Apollo and ancient Roman ruins at Kourion, sample the local wines straight from the vineyards and get lost in the lazy fishing villages that dot the coast. Water World in Larnaca is a must if you’re travelling with little ones.

If you’re looking for golf, head to Paphos. If it’s the party scene and nightclubs you crave, then Ayia Napa is the place. For romance, you can’t go wrong with Protaras and the Capo Bay Hotel.

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[tab title=”Weather in Cyprus” icon=”entypo-light-up”]Weather in Cyprus in October: Hot in the day and cool at night. [/tab]

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How to Get There:  Flights with a single stopover are available from Singapore to Larnaca (LCA) or Paphos (PFO) International Airports.

Average Flight Time: It takes at least a day of travel, so buy yourself a good book in the airport.

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Live the Chic Life in Paris

Great for: European Culture, Art, Fashion, Autumn

The best time of year to visit Paris is in October. The leaves are red and yellow, the skies are blue and warm and Paris is abuzz with tourists and autumn festivals, including the amazing Paris Fashion Week which runs over the first week.

The Louvre is a must, and will take a full day to really appreciate. Disneyland is a real treat for the children and for the mums and dads, there is lots of market shopping in Paris. In the Marais district, you’ll find up-and-coming French designers, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the Left Bank is renowned for its expensive boutiques and department stores.

No trip to Paris would be complete without climbing the Eiffel Tower, a boat ride down the River Seine, photographs at Notre Dame and lunch at a pavement cafe. And don’t forget to taste the French wine, the pastries, the bread and the chocolates at the Salon du Chocolat festival in mid October. A tour bus might be the easiest way to see everything in Paris.

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Weather in Paris in October

Bright and warm autumn [/tab]

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Average Flight Time: It’ll take over 13 hours, but it’s worth it.[/tab]

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Take it Slow in Laos

Great for: Asian Culture, Tropical, Wildlife, Short trip from Singapore

By October, rain in Laos would have stopped and the weather returns to near perfection, with temperatures averaging between 24 and 26 degrees across the country. If you’re looking for natural beauty, a slower pace and to experience local traditions and culture, you can’t go wrong with Laos.

Patuxay monument in Vientiane

The capital city of Vientiane is slow and easy, and with its French Colonial influences, its riverbank night markets and awesome statues and temples, it’s a great place to start your adventure.

Take a trip to Luang Prabang and immerse yourself in ancient traditions amid the exquisite temples and monasteries in this historical area. Climb Mount Phousi for incredible views of the distant mountain ranges, ride elephants and learn to cook like a local.

For the real adventurer, the Gibbon Experience in Huay Xai is essential. What started as an ecological project for the protection of jungle animals is now one of the most popular tourist experiences in Laos.

You can fly through the treetops attached to wires, as the jungle wildlife goes about its daily life below. You’ll see tigers, monkeys and all sorts of other animals in their natural habitat, and it’s a sight to behold. At night, visitors stay in tree houses in the canopy of the jungle, just like Tarzan!

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How to get there:  Flights to Vientiane  (VTE) are available with Air Asia

Average Flight Time: A flight to Vientiane takes just under three hours.

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Feature Image: Cape Town, South Africa