See souks and sorcerers, have a date with a dromedary, soak up some heat and enjoy mountain muleteering. Stay at the four-star Hotel Tichka. A week’s stay over half term costs £640 per personincluding flights, interconnecting rooms with breakfast and private transfers. Call Travelzest’s Best of Morocco on 0800 171 2151.
Take a three-night weekend break between 21-24th October and get a 25 per cent discount. Stay at either Darwin Forest or Sandybrook Country Parks with Pine Lodge Holidays.
Families looking for quality time with the children this half term – without breaking the bank – should head to PGL’s adventure centre in Lincolnshire, Caythorpe Court, a converted Grade II listed mansion house set in 65 acres of grounds. Activities for kids include everything from abseiling to zip wires. A four-night midweek break staring 24 October costs £758 for a family of four – a 20 per cent reduction on brochure price.
Spend half term in Italy’s Le Marche region at the bargain-priced Tenuta Le Piane, a cluster of old buildings-turned-cosy-apartments with a shared pool. The villas border the Sibillini National Park – two million acres of gorges, mountains and forests, perfect for autumn walking and with ample space for the kids to run around. Adriatic beaches are 90 minutes' drive away but the thermal waters near Saranano are even closer. A week in a four-person self-catering apartment at Tenuta Le Piane costs from £393 pp during the October half term (four sharing), including flights (Stansted) and car hire. Contact Real Holidays (020 7359 3938).
- Save up to 61 per cent on a half term getaway to St Austell, Cornwall, which costs from just £115 per sea view room per night (they'll even throw in a complimentary bottle of champagne and afternoon cream tea). The Llawnroc Hotel, which opened this summer, is a stylish retreat on Cornwall’s south coast located in the heart of the distinctly Cornish village of Gorran Haven. Step outside the Llawnroc and explore the narrow lanes, whitewashed Cornish cottages, small fishing harbour and two sandy beaches. Family guests can also sail, surf, walk the cliffs, explore the local beaches or stay in and soak up the splendour. To book, visit Secret Escapes or call 0845 078 2029.
Thomson Al Fresco (0871 971 0600) is offering a seven-night stay for up to six people at Sanguli, on the Spanish Costa Dorada, for £211, including ferry crossing. Sanguli boasts a Roman style heated pool and amphitheatre, while the paddling pool, children’s playground and sandy beach ensure everyone is entertained. Activities include bicycle hire, windsurfing and sea fishing – not to mention the PortAventura Attraction Park which is just minutes away. If you still have the energy afterwards, you can also wander down to the Chambrils town for a relaxing stroll along the promenade and harbour... Visit Thomson Alfresco or call 0871 971 0600.
Under the Thatch is offering seven nights at Beudy Bendigaid (which means 'Wonderful Cowshed') over October half term for just £398 - that's 10 per cent off its normal price. Set near the Ceredigion coast, this property is a contemporary barn conversion, renovated by two designers, with a stylish décor that resembles a boutique hotel. Beudy Bendigaid sleeps four and offers a private patio, cosy wood burning stove and four acres of garden. It is also close to the beaches at Penbryn and Llangrannog, as well as family attractions including the Welsh Chocolate Farm and dolphin spotting trips from New Quay.
Step back in time at the Bailiffscourt Hotel, a traditional country retreat with gardens leading down to the lovely unspoilt Climping beach where mini beach combers can build sandcastles to their hearts' delight. This half term, kids go free in their parents' room. Guests booking two nights with also receive a £60 spa voucher and families booking three nights will receive all this plus a family ticket to Arundel Castle. Prices from £140 per person in a superior room for dinner, bed and breakfast. Visit hshotels for more.
The Grove includes an OFSTED-approved kids' club, boxes of toys in rooms, giant chess and jenga in the garden and 300 acres in which to let off steam. Family special offers this half term include three nights for the Price of two and kids under 12 sharing their parents' room stay for free. Prices start at £310 per room, B&B. Prices start from £310 B&B per room, based on two sharing.