Hot spots for half-term: You don’t have to go too far for sun and fun on your autumn school break 

The October half-term is the last-chance saloon for finding sunshine without having to fly to the ends of the world.

The good news is that while the UK will be digging out its thermal socks, plenty of Europe — and just beyond — is doing a fine impression of summer.

Here’s our pick of the best still-warm holiday spots for the autumn school break . . .

Middle Eastern Heat

If only proper, all-day sunshine will do, then a week in Dubai will see your vitamin D levels soar. Alternate lounging on sun-drenched beaches with taking a dip in the warm Gulf waters. And when you tire of the heat, visit the air-conditioned malls.

Sea temperature: Hot-tub warm at 31c.

Flying time: 7 hours.

Let’s go: The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort costs £1,236pp for a week’s stay, based on a family of four sharing a room with breakfast included. Flights from Edinburgh on October 20 (hayesandjarvis.co.uk, 01293 762 415).

South African Sizzler

A city of visual style: Cape Town is spectacular – and, better still, is a jetlag-free zone 

While Britain thrusts open its brolly, October in Camps Bay, a glamorous coastal suburb of Cape Town, is a precipitation-free zone with plenty of sunshine on offer. And don’t forget to visit the penguins in Simon’s Town. What’s more, there’s no jetlag.

Sea temperature: A brisk 16c.

Flying time: 11 ½ hours.

Let’s go: Stay for six nights at the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay for £1,162 pp, based on a family of four sharing a mountain room on a B&B basis. Price includes flights from Heathrow on October 23 (travelbag.co.uk, 0871 402 1624).

Lanzarote Lounging 

For decent odds on autumnal sunshine, the Canary Islands are hard to beat

For decent odds on close-to-home autumnal sunshine, the subtropical charms of the Canaries are hard to beat. October in Lanzarote is a balmy affair, with swaying palms and the famous charcoal-black sands baking under a 27c sun.

Sea temperature: Perfect 24c.

Flying time: 4 hours.

Let’s go: Seven nights at the Vitalclass Lanzarote resort cost £3,177, based on a family of four sharing a junior suite on a half-board basis. Fly from Gatwick on October 23, (02034 995 232).

Make For Mallorca

Magical Mallorca: Head for glitzy Puerto Pollensa and enjoy the warm, child-friendly shallows

The final weeks before Mallorcans flick the tourism button to off are among the most delightful for families seeking proper relaxation. Head for glitzy Puerto Pollensa in the north-west and enjoy the warm, child-friendly shallows close to the Paseo Vora Mar promenade.

Sea temperature: Great for family swims at 25c.

Flying time: 2 hours 15 minutes.

Let’s go: Take the grandparents. too; a seven-night stay at Ca’n Puput, near Pollensa, which sleeps six, costs £1,684 and includes a pool (020 7563 7999).

Crete Escape

Far from being a winter-ready ghost island, Crete’s main tourist hubs — particularly around Elounda (pictured) — are very much still open for business

The late months on Crete are perfect for autumn hiking with temperatures reliably in the low to mid-20s. Far from being a winter-ready ghost island, Crete’s main tourist hubs — particularly around Elounda — are very much still open for business.

Sea temperature: A rather refreshing, fine when you’re in 23c.

Flying time: 4 hours.

Let’s go: A family of four staying half-board for seven nights at the luxury Kalimera Kriti resort, on the outskirts of Sissi in north-east Crete, will pay £4,206, based on October 23 flights from Gatwick (01293 763400).

Maltese Magic

Amazed by Malta: Head to blue-flag Mellieha Bay (pictured), which stretches some half a mile and promises lazy days on golden sands

This tiny island off the North African coast basks in sunshine for 300 days of the year, so it’s a pretty safe bet for late October warmth. Head to blue-flag Mellieha Bay, which stretches some half a mile and promises lazy days on golden sands. The sea beyond it is shallow and stays warm throughout October.

Sea temperature: 24c and strong breezes make it ideal for watersports.

Flying time: 3 hours.

Let’s go: Homeaway has seven nights in a two-bedroom villa in Mellieha for £645, based on four sharing from October 23. Fly to Malta with Ryanair from Luton for £272

Feast on Cyprus

Charmed by Cyprus: Restaurants in Limassol (pictured) tend to lay out the red carpet for families in the later months, too, with meze-based feasts surprisingly wallet-friendly

While the mountainous interior is a chillier affair come October, the larger Cypriot coastal resorts — think British-friendly Paphos and Limassol — are perfect for warming one’s bones. Restaurants tend to lay out the red carpet for families in the later months, too, with meze-based feasts surprisingly wallet-friendly.

Sea temperature: An entirely clement 27c. 

Flying time: 4 ½ hours. 

Let’s go: The Villa Group has seven nights in a three-bedroom villa in Paphos for £700 per family, based on October 23 departures (0203 488 0028). Fly to Larnaca with Thomas Cook Airlines from £373 per person.

Tenerife Tan

The beast within: Tenerife is dominated by the colossal Mount Teide 

The Canaries’ year-round sunshine is well documented, but Tenerife’s accommodation makeover continues. Take your pick from a legion of swish new luxury hotels, many offering all-inclusive deals. A day trip to other-worldly Mount Teide, the island’s volcano, offers a geology lesson for the kids.

Sea temperature: 23 to 25c.

Flying time: 4 hours.

Let’s go: A week all-inclusive at the four-star Melia Jardines del Tiede in Costa Adeje costs £1,166 pp. October 23 departures from Birmingham ( 01733 224 808).

Moroccan Marvel

More from Morocco: Agadir (pictured) is arguably Morocco’s most family-friendly option. There are plenty of big, roomy hotels with easy access to the sheltered, sandy hook of beach

Half-way down the country’s Atlantic coast, Agadir is a colourful resort town that was entirely re-built following the devastating 1960 earthquake. Arguably Morocco’s most family-friendly option, there are plenty of big, roomy hotels with easy access to the sheltered, sandy hook of beach.

Sea temperature: ‘Chilly’ at 21c.

Flying time: Nearly 4 hours.

Let’s go: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the ClubHotel Riu Tikida Dunas costs £823pp, based on a family sharing two rooms. Includes flights from Manchester on October 20 (0203 636 1931).

Turkey Roast

Don’t miss Turkey’s stunning  Patara beach, (pictured) home to endangered loggerhead turtles

How does a dip in azure waters followed by an ocean-to-plate fish lunch sound? Hillside Kalkan lies at the foot of the Taurus mountains and its white pebble beach has the blue flag flying. Don’t miss Patara beach, home to endangered loggerhead turtles.

Sea temperature: 24c — don’t forget your snorkelling kit.

Flying time: 4 hours 15 minutes.

Let’s go: James Villas has a 38 per cent saving on four-person Villa Bade, now £476pp, flying from London Stansted on October 24 (0800 074 0122).