Best last-minute holiday deals for October, from Crete to Croatia

October’s mellowness makes it an excellent time for an autumnal escape. You should be able to enjoy Indian summer in southern parts of Europe, where the crowds have gone but temperatures are still very pleasant.

And if you’re planning ahead for a January holiday, some of these ideas might inspire you.

You can still pretend it’s summer in Crete, where temperatures are in the 20s and the sea has kept its warmth. Just half an hour from Chania airport is the pretty seaside town of Kalyves and its long sandy beach. It’s only a 10-minute walk from Afrodite Apartments, where there’s still availability with Sunvil. From 8 October, it’s offering a week’s self-catering in a one-bed apartment with a shared pool and sea views from £466pp, including flights and transfers.

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Dubrovnik’s hectic pace begins to slow down in October, when the weather remains warm and you can still swim in the Adriatic. Hotel More is in a lovely spot overlooking Lapad Bay, a short bus ride to the Old Town, and has a funky Cave Bar for cocktails as well as a waterside terrace and a pool. Inspired Luxury Escapes has a week’s stay at Hotel More from £449pp, including flights and breakfast.

Lose yourself in the colours of France’s Cote Vermeille on a self-guided walk along the Catalan coast. Start in Collioure, one of France’s most appealing villages, before carrying on to the wine-soaked village of Banyuls-sur-Mer and crossing the border into Spain to finish at Cadaques. Inntravel has a seven-night holiday for departures throughout October starting at £915pp, including accommodation, breakfast, three dinners, luggage transport and maps. Flights are extra.

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Have the North York Moors National Park and Castle Howard on your doorstep when you stay at the Granary at Close Farm. This three-bedroom property offered by holidaycottages.co.uk is in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is decked out in classic and cosy farm cottage style – all exposed beams, warm leather furnishings and slate floors. Four nights’ self-catering costs £856, and goes up to £924 if you stay during half-term week. Dogs are welcome for an extra £20.

Winter brings big waves to Fuerteventura, and the surfing at El Cotillo beach is among the best on this Canary island. Catch a blast of heat at nearby Hotel Cotillo Beach with Teletext Holidays, which is offering seven nights’ half board from £255pp. The price is for a 12 January departure and includes flights and transfers.

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While Whistler and Banff get all the attention, fellow Rockies ski resort Fernie has become a bit of a cult favourite for skiers who like its good snow record and adventurous slopes. Inghams has a week’s room-only stay at Fernie Slopeside Lodge right at the foot of the mountain from £1,100pp, including flights and transfers, for a 28 January departure. Book before 30 September and save 30 per cent off your lift pass.

Kerala’s backwaters make an enchanting backdrop to a relaxed exploration of this region of southern India. On this nine-day Introduction to Kerala holiday with Tucan Travel, you start in the architecturally rich city of Kochi before driving through the foothills of the Western Ghats, visiting the Periyar Wildlife Reserve and taking a cruise through Kerala’s backwaters. Finish on the beach at Marabi before returning to Kochi. Prices start at £1,379pp for departures throughout October, and include transfers, accommodation and breakfast but not flights.

Mary Novakovich is editor at large at 101holidays.co.uk