11 Cheap and Unexplored Places to Visit in October

Lesser known than its flashy neighbour Tuscany, Perugia is the ideal spot to venture to in October. The weather is mild, the food breathtaking and the city a real feast for the eyes with Etruscan, medieval, Gothic and 18th-century sites to behold.

Sip local wine and enjoy cool sea breezes on non-touristy Tinos. A far cry from mobbed Mykonos or Insta-heaven Santorini, this spot retains it’s rustic character and is only just beginning appear on visitors’ radars. Dig into some of Greece’s best food and enjoy this place while it’s still quiet.

Chill out California-style in this coastal NorCal community. Hike the cliffs, laze on the beach and stroll the neighborhood to check out art galleries and the plethora of restaurants. Unlike Carmel or Big Sur, this place is mainly full of locals so you can take in some authentic Cali culture.

Leave the tourists to Rome and Venice while you kick back in lively Palermo. A delicious meal will cost you less than £10 and you can still spend your days at the beach if you don’t fancy exploring one of the city’s many churches and museums.

Leave the bustle of Bogota behind and spend a few blissful days in the colonial town of Barichara. Stroll the colourful cobbled streets, read that holiday novel in the shade in one of the plazas or go rafting in the Suárez River canyon. The possibilities are endless and happily affordable.

Known as the cultural capital of Morocco, this city’s vibrant souks, medieval architecture and walled medina are the perfect excuses to escape for a fall break. Unlike overly touristy Marrakech, you’ll have a bit more room to breathe here and can enjoy some warm temperatures pre-winter.

Often overlooked for its more famous siblings Jaipur and Udaipur, this former medieval trading center in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert is a beauty. Known as the Golden City due to its yellow sandstone architecture, don’t miss the hilltop citadel that is Jaisalmer Fort.

Off the beaten tourist path, or at the very least off the Inca Trail, this city is northwestern Peru makes for the ideal early autumn getaway. From the bright yellow Trujillo Cathedral to the blue Casa Urquiaga and the nearby neoclassical Iturregui Palace, you’ll get a much needed dose of colour.

For the some of the best food in Mexico, look no further than Oaxaca. A UNESCO world heritage site, the city is full of stunning architecture to appreciate as well as traditional markets brimming with intricate handicrafts and tasty local delicacies.

One of the most affordable south pacific destinations, Samoa is a great place to head this fall if you want another spot of true summer before the year ends. It is a more remote destination, but the trek is worth it for pristine beaches, incredible diving opportunities and a the chance to swim through a waterfall.

While this city is certainly not unexplored, it does have a newly regenerated waterfront which includes a new V&A museum. Be among the first to enjoy this spot, and explore some of the best cultural opportunities this Scottish city has to offer.