Half-term holidays for everyone

Whether you’re trying to please teens or toddlers this October, Sophie Butler has the best mid-autumn break for you

As the leaves begin to change and October approaches, so does another golden opportunity for a family getaway. And while the autumn half-term holiday may only be a week long, this short window offers a great chance to find some sun or fun before the winter takes hold.

It’s the longest, toughest term of the school year, so a break is a good tonic for kids, as well as a chance to get out and active without worrying about overly scorching sunshine. Not that

This short window offers a great chance for some sun or fun before the winter takes hold

there isn’t still some warm weather to be found without having to fly too far.

Start by working out what your family wants to get out of the week. For some high-octane fun, consider a trip that takes in theme parks or water parks. Want to make it a bit more educational? Perhaps Egypt and the Pyramids – or Iceland for a real-life geography lesson. Active families might consider a relaxed walking or cycling itinerary in Andalucía or southern Italy – and October is a wonderful time for introducing the kids to a new city like New York. Just want to splash about in the sun? Then head for the Canaries, where temperatures are in the 20s. If you can’t face the hassle of flying, then jump on a family-friendly cruise from Southampton.

Of course, your holiday choice will not only be driven by your interests and your budget, but also by the age of your children. Older teens will have very different expectations and energy levels to younger offspring. For families with young children, a hotel with kids’ clubs can work well, while for older teens a games room and onsite watersports can provide excellent opportunities to improve skills and make new friends.

Those who’d prefer some undiluted family time could opt for a quiet villa with a gated pool for little ones, or a tennis court and games room for older children, or choose a property within walking distance of a resort.

There are some caveats attached to half-term travel. Unless your children have a two-week break, remember that you’ll be departing on the busy weekend (October 21 and 22 this year). Demand will be heavy, so book airport parking and car hire well in advance. You might do best to dodge the rush and opt for a shorter, midweek break.

Here’s a round-up of suggestions to suit families with children aged 10 years and under, and 11 years plus, in a variety of destinations from far-flung to closer to home.

Avoid the stress of flight delays and luggage restrictions by booking a halfterm cruise which departs from the UK. Plus points include family-friendly entertainment and all-inclusive prices.

10 and under

A week-long half-term itinerary with P&O (from Southampton) takes in Cherbourg, Porto, Lisbon and the Galician port of Vigo (for excursions to Santiago de Compostela) on cruise ship Ventura. Supervised children’s clubs include Splashers (two to four years), Surfers (five to eight years) and Scubas (nine to 12 years), and onboard facilities include four pools, family restaurants and an ice-cream bar.

P&O (0344 338 8003; pocruises.com) offers the ‘Spain, France and Portugal’ cruise on Ventura from £845 all inclusive, based on two inside cabins. Departs Oct 21

11 and up

Also departing from Southampton, MSC Cruises’ half-term departure on MSC Virtuosa docks in Rotterdam (for excursions to Amsterdam) before voyaging westwards to Cork in southern Ireland. Onboard activities for older children include sports tournaments, five pools (including an aqua park), a spa and evening shows. The last port of call is the Isle of Portland on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. MSC Cruises (0203 426 3010; msccruises.co.uk) offers a five-night ‘Northern Europe’ cruise on MSC Virtuosa from £894 all inclusive, based on a premium suite Aurea. Departs Oct 2

Golden getaway: a break during the longest term of the school year is a good tonic for kids