Springboks, giraffes, zebras ... if you come mainly for the animals, you should visit Etosha National Park. © Arne Smith

Namibia is a good destination for wildlife viewing all year round. But October is still the dry season. Then you can see especially many animals in Etosha National Park. Under a blue sky you can experience the wonderful fauna, admire the desert flora or visit places like the deserted Kolmanskop, Walvis Bay or Windhoek. Tip: In the Naute Kalahari there is excellent Namib gin.

Where to stay

Namib Dune Star Camp, Gondwana Collection Namibia
Sesriem Namibia 01, Sesriem, Namibia
Tel: +264 61 427 200
Web: store.gondwana-collection.com
Price: double room from about € 170,- per night

The lodge is something very special. Because here you spend the night high up in the dunes. Guests are accommodated in small villas. These have a huge terrace. In the evening, you slide the four-poster bed onto it, which conveniently comes with castors. And then you watch the breathtaking spectacle in the night sky, while the hyenas giggle in the distance.

4. queensland, australia

Weather: 24° C
Water temperature: 23° C
Sunshine hours: 9h/day
Arrival: Brisbane Airport (BNE), 13 km from Brisbane.

The brilliant white sand at Whiteheaven Beach is famous all over the world. But it is not the only Queensland highlight. © Sofia Cerqueira

Since July 2022, Australia can be visited without restrictions again. It was about time, because especially the Queensland region is one that has to be on every bucket list. In addition to tropical rainforests, there are also brilliant white sandy beaches, wondrous animals and excellent hotels. With the Great Barrier Reef, there is also a real natural wonder on the doorstep.

Where to stay

W Brisbane
81 N Quay, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
Web: marriott.com
Tel.: +61 7 3556 8888
Price: double room from about € 250,- per night

This 312-room hotel is in the best part of Brisbane. It is equipped with spa, fitness center, saltwater pool and impeccable service. The rooms are decorated in W Style: colorful, bold, and especially spacious. The hotel's Three Blue Ducks is one of the most popular restaurants in the city.

5. cyprus

Weather: 26° C
Water temperature: 26° C
Sunshine hours: 9h/day
Arrival: Larnaca Airport (LCA)

There must also be time for history. Paphos, for example, is considered one of the most important excavation sites of ancient artifacts in Cyprus. © Shutterstock

Cyprus combines the best of several worlds. On the one hand, you can enjoy the island lifestyle here. After all, it is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. On the other hand, Cyprus is already so far east that oriental influences are also noticeable. This is reflected above all in the weather. Because at the end of October it is still sunny, warm and ideal for a beach vacation.

Where to stay

Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort
3, Maniki Street Agios Georgios Paphos - Pegeia, 8570, Cyprus
Web: capstgeorges.com
Tel: +357 26 000 000
Price: double room from approx. € 460,- per night

The first luxury hotel opened in May 2022 scores with its location as well as with eight restaurants, herb garden and world-class spa. The rooms are luxurious, the food is to die for. Surrounded by green gardens, centuries-old olive trees and fragrant herbs, you can relax in the 2,500-square-meter spa, in the pools or on a yacht tour.

6. Vermont, USA

Weather: 12° C
Precipitation: 67 mm
Sunshine hours: 4 h/day
Getting there: Burlington International Airport (BVT), approx. 60 km

The intense coloration is a result of the high percentage of sugar maple that turns such spectacular colors. © Peter James Eisenhaure

Although it is already a bit cooler in Vermont in October, a trip to the state in New England is rewarded with a princely reward. Even for this region, the deciduous trees now shine in a particularly intense blaze of color. Especially deep reds make it seem as if the forests are on fire. No wonder, after all, 3/4 of the state's area is covered by deciduous trees.

Where to stay

Kimpton Taconic Hotel
3835 Main St, Manchester, VT 05254, USA
Web: taconichotel.com
Tel.: +1 802-362-0147
Price: doubles from approx. €300

A picturesque hideaway, just like you see in the movies. Autumn lovers will be in their element at this homey hotel with classic furnishings and enjoy the typical East Coast charm, as well as the warm hospitality of the staff.

7. paris, france

Weather: 16° C
Precipitation: 18 mm
Sunshine hours: 6h/day
Arrival: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), 40 km

In October, you can expect fewer travelers; the museums and sights are usually less crowded then. © Alexander Kagan

Paris in October? Definitely! Because the weather is ideal for extended sightseeing. What many do not know: October is the driest month of the whole year! In the museums, such as the Lovure or the Centre Pompidou it does not matter if it gets a little cooler. If you don't come during the autumn vacations, you can also enjoy fewer tourists. Accordingly, the prices are cheaper.

Where to stay

Hôtel de l'Abbaye Saint-Germain
10 Rue Cassette, 75006 Paris, France
Web: hotelabbayeparis.com
Tel.: +33 1 45 44 38 11
Price: double room incl. breakfast from € 237,- per night

This charming house in Saint-Germain-des-Prés is practically bursting with Parisian charm. Each of the 44 rooms shines in its very own splendour. The in-house garden, a real rarity in Paris, is an absolute highlight.

Here it goes to the perfect Paris weekend trip

8. Sighişoara, Romania

Weather: 15° C
Precipitation: 27 mm
Sunshine hours: 6h/day
How to get there: Cluj (CLJ), 155 km

The picturesque alleys date back to the Middle Ages; they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. © Unsplash

October is not only the time of Golden Autumn, warm sunshine and the first Pumpkin Spice Lattes. It is also the time of Halloween. That's why at least two destinations where you can get a little spooky have to be on the list of the best travel destinations in October. The first destination is Sighişoara in Romania. Its small old town enchants with colorful little houses. Since 1999, the old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you don't just feel like you're walking in the Middle Ages - you actually are. It is Europe's oldest inhabited fortress complex. In addition, the city is considered the birthplace of Vlad Tepes III, who served as the model for Bram Stoker's novel character "Dracula." The area in Transylvania also attracts visitors with its numerous castles. Among them: Bran Castle (Castelul Bran), often called "Dracula Castle" and Poenari Castle.

Where to stay

Ioana Hotel
Calea Codrului 11-15, Sinaia 106100, Romania
Web: ioanahotels.ro
Tel: +40 723 606 025
Price: double room from about € 180,- per night

This pretty boutique hotel has spacious and tastefully decorated rooms. The lobby bar is a lively meeting place. Here you can plan the next day's activities over an excellent drink. Sinaia itself is a town straight out of a fairy tale.

9. provence, france

Weather: 20° C
Precipitation: 51 mm
Sunshine hours: 8 h/day
Arrival: Marseille (MRS)

The best thing to do is to cycle up to the small towns on an e-bike. Vaucluse, for example, is worth seeing. © Alexandre Steeneberg

Most people visit the enchanting French region during the summer months. But for foodies and vinophiles, it is one of the best destinations in October. Because then there is not only young wine, but also food festivals and above all: fresh truffles. The small towns are less crowded then. And those who take a bike tour through the vineyards can look forward to mild temperatures. Provence is simply a Pleasure destination with many top addresses.

Where to stay

Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa
Hameau Le Perrotet, 84400 Gargas, France
Web: coquillade.fr
Tel: +33 4 90 74 71 71
Price: double room incl. breakfast from approx. € 225,- per person

A Provençal dream: About 50 kilometers east of Avignon, the Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa on a hill surrounded by vineyards, lavender fields and olive groves. Before it became the luxurious Aureto estate complete with its own winery, the Coquillade was a small village. As a result, the rooms and suites, spa, gym, and excellent restaurants are all housed in picturesque country houses called bastides. Two pools invite you to unwind.

10. Dublin, Ireland

Weather: 13° C
Precipitation: 29 mm
Sunshine hours: 4h/day
Arrival: Dublin Airport (DUB), 15 km

The city on the Liffey experiences its high season in March around St. Patrick's Day. But October can be something, too! © Unsplash

Finally, on the list of the best destinations in October, the country of origin of Halloween is not to be missed. So why not plan a trip to Baile Átha Cliath towards the end of the month? In the beautiful Marsh's Library was the inspiration for Bram Stoker. Nearby you can admire the Museum of Modern Literature the original edition of James Joyce's Ulysses. To complete the morbid trip: At Glasnevin Cemetery eerie guided tours are offered. To be on the safe side, you then take a drink in the evening in the Church Bar. It used to be a church.

Where to stay

The Shelbourne
27 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland
Web: theshelbourne.com
Tel.: +353 1 663 4500
Price: double room from about € 500,- per night

The hotel is a member of the Autograph Collection - rooms, suites and service are accordingly immaculate. It's housed in a traditional brick building and boasts luxurious spa facilities. In addition to a spa, there's a health club with pool and gym. On the ground floor, the Horseshoe Bar is worth a visit.