Once the COVID-19 virus outbreak has calmed down, people are going to be so ready to get out there and see the world. I’m imagining people busting out of their houses with suitcases packed and a spring in their step. And friends deciding to book a vacation on a whim after a few drinks at the bar.

So where will you go?

You might be avoiding thinking about that because you can’t travel right now and you’re uncertain when you will be able to travel; however, MMGY Global is predicting that people will return to travel more quickly than you might think, especially since we are right smack in the middle of the “fear” phase. They are predicting that people will start to shift their perspective around traveling within 45 to 90 days of the peak of the event due to the “pent up demand” for getting out of the house.

With that timeline in mind, we will likely be seeing people headed on vacations in late summer and into the Fall. Families with children may want to jump on the opportunity to get their vacation in before the new school year, but others may want to play it safe and wait longer, or wait for the off-peak Fall season for less crowds and lower costs.

Because there is still a bit of uncertainty in the world as to when travel restrictions will be lifted and we will be able to travel again, I’m going to keep it safe and focus on the best places to visit in the month of October. The month of October is known for having cooler weather, less crowds, lower costs, and cultural calendars bursting with festivals.

Curacao

If you’re looking for a beautiful beach destination with a unique blend of Dutch, Caribbean, and South American cultures, this island must get on your list. There is a variety of activities, from the standard sunbathing and snorkeling, to visiting a floating market, to touring the historic mansion where the famous blue curacao liqueur was made. Curacao is known for its beautiful Dutch-style pastel buildings and for feeling like you are in Europe!

Situated north of South America along with Aruba as the “C” in the ABC Islands, Curacao is blessed with consistently awesome weather year-round. Though the hurricane season lasts from May to early November, the ABC Islands lie outside of the prime hurricane belt and very rarely get hit by hurricane or tropical storms.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

If you don’t think you’ll be ready to travel internationally after travel restrictions are lifted, but know you’ll need a getaway, then it’s the perfect time to finally make the trip to see some beautiful fall foliage in October. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the perfect destination to do this, with the fall colors peaking in the last 3 weeks of October. With weather in the low 40s to low 70s and a low chance of rain, it’s the perfect crisp Fall destination.

There are several scenic overlooks within the park for a good vantage point of the foliage, but you can also enjoy the colors as you hike, bike, or drive through the park. Keep in mind that the roads along certain popular destinations within the park will become congested in late October, so you’ll want to plan for the crowds.

Prague, Czech Republic

Imagine strolling through the historic city of Prague bundled up with your fall scarf, boots, and a warm coffee in your hand. Prague in October definitely “feels like Fall”, with temperatures in the high 30s to upper 50s and beautiful fall foliage. Though it can be somewhat cloudy and rainy in the month of October, it’s a great time visit to avoid the high-season costs and crowds.

For views of the city in its full fall glory, you can try the vantage points from Letna Park, Old Town Hall Tower, and the towers from the Charles Bridge. Coffee lovers can warm up and enjoy unlimited coffee tasting at the annual Coffee Festival, which occurs in mid-October. No matter what time of year you visit, the Prague Castle, Astronomical Block on the Old Town Square, and the Klementinum Library are definite can’t-miss sights.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

New Mexico is a fine destination in October for some crisp and pleasant temperatures with sunny skies and a fun dose of southwestern culture. During the first week in October, thousands flock to the city for the annual International Balloon Fiesta, the largest in the world. The city is in an ideal location for ballooning due to the predictable wind patterns in early October.

During your trip, you can also take the Sandia Peak Tramway to get an amazing vantage point of the city, and the surrounding Sandia Mountains, Land of Enchantment and Rio Grande Valley. The city is also known for its craft beer and arts scene. For Texans especially, it’s a refreshing and easy getaway with great weather and views.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is the perfect destination for you if you’re looking for relaxation with a blend of adventure, soul-seeking, and culture. You can spend your mornings lounging on beautiful beaches or trekking through the rainforest in search of waterfalls, and your afternoons visiting one of the many Hindu temples or doing some afternoon yoga with a view.

The weather is delightful in the month of October, with hot weather, but lower humidity than normal, sunny skies, and warm ocean temperatures. The chance of rain does start to increase later into the month of October, since it’s the beginning of the rainy season, but you won’t be into the peak of it just yet.

St. Petersburg, Russia

To really experience Russia, you should visit the country in the cold weather; however, if you don’t think you could survive a Russian winter (like me), then October is a good time to visit before the bitter cold comes. Even though it will still be chilly and a good chance of rain, you’ll get the major perk of experiencing beautiful golden leaves flying around and covering the ground.

October is a great time to see the more authentic side of St. Petersburg since there are far less tourists, but you won’t miss out on memorable experiences like crusing down the canals and seeing the drawbridges in action. The cultural event season is in full swing, and it’s also a good month to enjoy vegetables from the autumn harvest.

Los Cabos, Mexico

If you’re one of those people who clings onto summer vibes for as long as possible, a great option for an October beach resort vacation is in Los Cabos, Mexico. The destination has seen a change in the tourism vibes in the past five years (from its reputation as a “spring-breaker” destination) with the addition of several new and unique luxury resort options.

Situated on the Pacific coast, the Baja peninsula is not unknown to hurricanes, but the majority of the hurricanes and tropical storms that have hit Los Cabos occurred in August and September. If you go later in October, you’ll be coming out of the rainy season and will enjoy sunny skies, and warm weather. Though the ocean temperatures are pleasantly warm as well, keep in mind that there are only a handful of beaches where swimming is safe due to the dangerous undertows.

Oregon, United States

A favorite destination for those seeking beautiful fall foliage, Oregon is particularly nice in October because it’s still usually warm and dry and is at a peak for fall colors. Nature lovers flock to the state for the variety of lush pine forests, striking waterfalls, pristine lakes, and dramatic coastlines. You will most definitely want to get yourself outside and enjoy one of the many beautiful hiking trails in the state. In the cities and towns, especially the offbeat and unique Portland, there is no shortage of amazing food, coffee, and craft beer.

Choose where you should go on vacation in October

Even though you can’t immediately get on a plane and travel to any of these destinations, doesn’t mean you can’t plan to travel to these places by October. After all, you need time to plan your vacation and the sooner you start to plan, the better your vacation will be. Not to mention, you will be way ahead of everywhere else who chose to remain in fear mode instead of moving forward.

Usually when I plan a vacation for my clients, I start with flights and lodging, but because of the travel restrictions currently in place, we are in a wait-and-see mode when it comes to making any travel arrangements for the time being. In the meantime, I’m flipping the process and helping my clients choose the perfect destination and design their custom itinerary first.

This is actually a really positive thing, because now we will sort out the fun stuff, like the activities, excursions, restaurants, and bars, before anything else, so we will know exactly where to look for the lodging based on the activities that are on the itinerary. Having all of this information mapped and time-lined into a nice custom itinerary will allow us to be super prepared to book flights, lodging, and ground transportation when we are able to.​Book my low-cost Basic Service  and you and I can work to make sure that your itinerary is perfect while we wait on travel restrictions to lift.​

Because why not, right? Might as well have something exciting to look forward to when this is all over.

I’m Angela, founder and travel advisor with Wild Hair Travels. Despite the travel restrictions in place right now, I would love to help you start planning your vacation by designing your custom itinerary for your vacation with sightseeing, activities, excursions, and restaurants that are totally personalized to you and your travel style. My 1-on-1 Basic service is a timeless option that you can use whenever you’re comfortable traveling again.