The question of the day, is October a good time to visit Europe? If you ask a European, they will tell you any time of the year is good, but if you are looking for a trip with good weather, absolutely come in Autumn.

Whether you are looking for sun, warmth, autumnal colours or just a great city break, I have created a list below that will have an option for each need.

Italy

October is one of the best times to visit Italy, the summer crowds have well and truly dwindled but the warm weather and sunshine continues to linger.

Head to Liguria where you can visit a much quieter Cinque Terre. Explore Genoa without the blazing summer heat and put your feet up in Portofino where hotel prices are slashed compared to summer.

For the hottest weather make your way to Sicily to explore hilltop villages or lay your eyes on one of Europe's most active volcanoes. If you are looking for the beach then Sardinia will provide an abundance of white sandy beaches with crystal clear water that is still warm enough to swim in.

Spain

October in Madrid is one of the best months as the weather is pleasant, the days are still long, and it's far less crowded. The comfy temperatures makes it an ideal time for sightseeing and hotels are a lot more affordable.

Fly over to the Canary Islands if you are looking for hot sun and beautiful beach or perhaps the Costa del Sol for world-class golf courses.

Other good Spanish cities to visit during October are Barcelona and Seville for incredible food and epic cultural experiences. For a slower paced and smaller city break, consider Grenada, a beautiful, historic city surrounded by breathtaking mountains and scenery.

France

If you're hunting the autumn sunshine, take a road trip along the Cote d'Azur where finding a reservation in a restaurant is much easier than in previous months.

If beautiful foliage is on your list then Paris will never disappoint or visit the charming Alsace villages that surround Strasbourg.

Wine lovers can also enjoy the early changing of the colours in the Loire Valley whilst also indulging on world-class wine straight after the grape harvest.

UK

Lay your eyes on vibrant reds and oranges in the Lake District or head up to the Scottish Highlands to explore the Highlands now the midges are gone and before winter sets in. Don't forget to stop off in Edinburgh which is most beautiful on rainy days with autumn leaves reflecting in the puddles that gather in the alleyways.

Stroll through a carpet of golden leaves in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath before taking a road trip through the beautiful Cotswolds countryside and onto Oxford, famous for its university colleges dating back hundreds of years.

Germany

Enjoy 'altweibersommer', the last warm days of the year throughout September and October where the days are still relatively long and the sun shining.

Oktoberfest is one of the most popular events in any European calendar and the host city of Munich is well worth a visit in itself.

There are plenty of fairytale villages dotted around Bavaria that have said goodbye to the crowds and havn't yet become too cold to visit, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Schwäbisch Hall and Miltenberg all look like they have been plucked straight from a fairytale book. For more fairytale vibes, Bavaria is also home to Neuschwanstein Castle near the border of Liechtenstein.

Useful links

Train bookings in Europe: Trainline

Car hire: RentalCars

Hotel bookings: Booking.com

Airport transfers: Kiwi taxis

Book trips and attractions: Getyourguide

Holiday home rentals: Vrbo