Santorini
#5 in Best Places to Visit in October
By October, Santorini’s notoriously packed tourist season is officially over, leaving lower prices on accommodations and plenty of room to enjoy the Greek island’s compact streets, top-notch wineries and picturesque stretches of sand like Kamari Beach, where you’ll find black volcanic sand and clear blue water. What’s more, the temperatures are still excellent for swimming or taking a scenic hike from Fira to Oia, with highs hovering in the low 70s during the day.
Kyoto
#6 in Best Places to Visit in October
Japan may be famous for its spring cherry blossoms, but Kyoto’s many beautiful shrines, temples and pavilions shine even brighter among the orange- and red-hued trees that dot the city in October. Strolling the tree-lined Philosopher’s Walk or taking in the leafy views from the Kiyomizu-dera Temple’s verandah atop peaceful Otowa Mountain will leave you with unforgettable memories of this Japanese city. Plus, if you time your visit around Oct. 22, you can catch two popular festivals, the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages) and the Kurama no Hi Matsuri (Kurama Fire Festival).
