6 holiday ideas for All Saints' Day: slow down and enjoy the autumn

Thanksgiving holidays are the ideal opportunity to take a break before the arrival of winter. The leaves take on golden hues, the days invite to long walks, and many destinations find their calm after the summer season. It is also the perfect time to change pace, escape from everyday life, and enjoy a few days away.

For our part, we chose to spend a week in England to explore the Cotswolds. We can’t wait to discover its charming villages, its honey-colored stone houses, its small country roads, and the lovely places to visit with the family. As we usually do on our trips, we will rent a car to explore the region at our own pace and stop wherever we feel like.

This trip perfectly matches our vision of slow travel, A way of traveling that prioritizes the quality of the experiences rather than the number of sites visited. The idea is to take the time to discover a region, to enjoy the accommodation and to appreciate the simple moments, without trying to do everything.

Whether you dream of a countryside getaway in England, a cozy cabin in the forest, a sunny stay on the Côte d’Azur, or relaxing holidays in Sicily, here are six destination ideas for All Saints’ Day holidays.

1. The Cotswolds: our autumn getaway in England

This is the destination we have chosen for our next All Saints’ Day holiday! Located in the south-central part of England, The Cotswolds are renowned for their honey-colored stone cottages, their verdant hills, and their picturesque countryside.

We plan to spend a week exploring the region at our own pace. We would especially like to discover Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Castle Combe, three charming villages that seem perfect for strolling leisurely and getting lost in pretty little streets.

We also plan to use our rental car to drive along the small country roads, discover less-known places, and stop whenever a beautiful landscape or interesting location catches our attention.

Autumn seems to be a particularly pleasant time for this trip. The seasonal colors add even more charm to the countryside, and the walks can easily be punctuated by warm breaks in traditional pubs or tea rooms.

For family vacations, the Cotswolds offer a beautiful balance between sightseeing, outdoor activities, and relaxing moments. We usually prefer to include a few must-see attractions while leaving enough freedom to adapt our days to the weather and our preferences.

In terms of accommodation, we would like to find a comfortable place to fully enjoy the English countryside. A traditional cottage, a country house full of character, or a cabin surrounded by nature could be very beautiful options for a different getaway.

Our advice: Stay in the same accommodation for several nights rather than having to pack and unpack every day. It’s a great way to explore the Cotswolds without turning your holiday into a race against time.

2. Devon: staying in a cabin in the middle of nature

If you want to escape the noise and find some peace and quiet, Devon in the southwest of England is a destination worth considering.

With its verdant countryside, forests, traditional villages and coastline, this region offers the ideal setting to slow down the pace. In autumn, you can alternate between walks in nature, visits to small villages and moments of relaxation in a cosy accommodation.

Imagine waking up in a wooden cabin surrounded by trees, having breakfast in the open air and spending the day without a strict schedule. After a walk on the nearby trails, you can return to your accommodation to read, cook or simply enjoy the surrounding tranquility.

This is exactly the kind of experience that embodies the spirit of slow travel: choosing a place where you feel comfortable and taking the time to enjoy it.

If you are looking for this type of accommodation, the Cabin stays They offer many options, from rustic cabins nestled in the heart of the forest to more contemporary lodges. Some are perfect for family vacations, while others are more suited to a romantic getaway.

Before booking, be sure to check the available amenities, the heating, and accessibility, especially if you are traveling with children in the fall.

Our advice: Choose accommodation that is an integral part of the experience. For a short stay, a beautiful cabin can be just as important as the attractions to be discovered in the surrounding area.

3. Sicily: Enjoy the autumn warmth around Syracuse

If you prefer warmer temperatures, Sicily is another interesting destination to consider for your All Saints' Day vacation.

In autumn, the island allows you to discover its heritage, its gastronomy and its Mediterranean landscapes in an atmosphere different from that of the summer months, which are much more frequented. Temperatures can remain pleasant, although the weather can be changeable and rainy episodes are possible.

In southeastern Sicily, Syracuse is an excellent destination for a vacation combining culture and relaxation. Its historic center, located on the island of Ortigia, is ideally explored on foot, strolling through the narrow streets, beautiful squares, and streets lined with historical buildings.

You can take the time to explore the market, taste Sicilian specialties, stop for a coffee on the terrace, or stroll along the sea. The surroundings also make it possible to organize day trips to the Baroque towns in the region.

Renting a car offers more freedom to explore this part of Sicily. It is a practical option if you want to discover several places without constantly changing accommodation.

As for accommodation, renting a villa can be an excellent way to enjoy more independent holidays. You have your own space, a kitchen and, depending on the accommodation chosen, a terrace or garden to enjoy the last warm days of autumn.

To prepare your stay, you can discover the properties offered by Wishsicily.com, a specialist in villa rentals in Sicily. It is an interesting option for travelers seeking privacy and comfort, whether for a romantic getaway, a stay with friends, or a family vacation, depending on the accommodation’s capacity.

Our advice: Stay several nights in the Syracuse area and organize your excursions from this base. You will enjoy the destination more without spending all your vacation on the road.

4. The Scottish Highlands: an escape in the heart of spectacular landscapes

For lovers of vast spaces and wild landscapes, the Scottish Highlands offer a spectacular autumn scenery.

Mountains, lochs, forests and winding roads traversing the valleys form landscapes that invite you to slow down. The colors of autumn give a special atmosphere to the region, ideal for travelers who love nature and photography.

Imagine staying in a cozy cottage, spending your days hiking, discovering small villages, and stopping to take photos by the lochs. In the evening, you can return to the comfort of your accommodation after a few hours spent outdoors.

However, this destination requires a bit of organization during the All Saints' Day holidays. The days are shorter, the weather can change quickly, and some hiking routes require additional precautions.

For a family holiday, it is better to choose walks that are suitable for the children’s age and to avoid planning too many kilometers each day.

Our advice: Choose a specific area of the Highlands and explore it at your own pace rather than trying to cover the entire country in a few days.

5. Nice and the Côte d’Azur: Enjoying the sun even in autumn

If you are looking for a sunny destination for Halloween holidays, why not come and discover my region, the Côte d’Azur? I live in Nice and one of the things I love most here is the beauty of autumn.

As temperatures are already starting to drop in many regions of Europe, the weather can still be wonderfully mild in the Côte d’Azur in October. We often have the chance to enjoy beautiful sunshine, blue skies and pleasant temperatures. It is not uncommon to see people still swimming in the Mediterranean at this time of year!

Nice is an ideal destination for a few days of vacation, whether you are traveling as a couple or with your family. You can stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais, explore the colorful alleys of Vieux-Nice, discover the Cours Saleya market, or have a coffee on the terrace in the sunshine.

And if you feel like venturing out of Nice, there are many beautiful places nearby waiting for you. You can visit the charming hilltop village of Èze, stroll through the streets of Villefranche-sur-Mer, discover Monaco, or spend a day in Antibes.

With a rental car, it’s easy to explore the different corners of the Côte d’Azur at your own pace, even though many destinations are also accessible by public transport.

For families, the region offers a wonderful mix of seaside walks, cultural discoveries, outdoor activities, and delicious Mediterranean cuisine. And when the weather is particularly nice, you can even slip your swimsuit into your bag to enjoy a swim!

Autumn is also a beautiful time to visit the region, as summer tourism has generally decreased. It then becomes more pleasant to discover the most popular places without the crowds of high season.

My advice: Spend a few nights in Nice and use the city as a starting point to explore the Côte d’Azur. Keep a flexible schedule, enjoy the long lunches on the terrace and savor the mildness of the autumn weather. You might be surprised by all the sunshine left to enjoy!

6. An unusual getaway: a few nights in a wooden cabin

Sometimes, a few hours’ drive is enough to feel like you’re embarking on an adventure. During All Saints’ holidays, booking a few nights in an unusual accommodation can be a great way to break away from everyday life.

Whether you choose a treehouse, a wooden lodge, a cabin in the forest, or a contemporary refuge surrounded by greenery, there are plenty of options for a different kind of getaway.

The advantage of this type of stay is that the accommodation becomes a central part of the experience. You can take the time to read, cook, play with the family, or stroll around the surroundings without needing to plan a busy schedule.

Some accommodations also offer additional amenities, such as a fireplace or a hot tub. However, it is still important to check the available equipment and any conditions of use before booking.

This type of getaway is particularly interesting if you want to disconnect from everyday life without necessarily leaving for a whole week.

Our advice: Two or three nights may be enough to change your rhythm. Choose a place where you will enjoy spending time, even if the weather makes you want to stay inside.

How to organize more restful All Saints' Day holidays?

Whatever the destination chosen, a few simple habits can help you make the most of your stay.

Choosing a single region instead of multiplying the steps

When you only have a few days of leave, it’s often more pleasant to focus on just one region. You spend less time on the road and more time exploring the places around you.

Take the time to choose your accommodation

A cabin in the forest, a cottage in the Cotswolds or a villa in Sicily can make your holiday particularly enjoyable. Your accommodation is no longer just for sleeping: it becomes an integral part of the experience.

Allowing for spontaneous discoveries

You don’t need to plan every hour of the day. A chance stroll, a small restaurant recommended by a local, or a break in a village can become some of your most beautiful travel memories.

Adapting the program to children

When traveling with family, it is often preferable to plan one or two main activities per day and to leave some time for rest. Comfortable and well-located accommodation can also make the stay easier.

Anticipating the autumn weather

The days are shorter and the weather can be unpredictable. Plan for suitable clothing, check the opening hours of tourist sites, and keep a few indoor activities in reserve.

So, where to go for the All Saints' Day holidays?

Thanks to All Saints’ Day holidays, there are many opportunities to travel in a different way. For our next trip to England, we have chosen the Cotswolds, where we can’t wait to discover charming countryside villages at our own pace.

The Devon and Scottish Highlands will appeal to nature and open-air enthusiasts, while Sicily offers a Mediterranean atmosphere and beautiful cultural discoveries. If you’re looking for sunshine, Nice and the Côte d’Azur are wonderful alternatives, with their coastal landscapes, charming villages and the possibility of enjoying a swim even in October.

For a shorter stay, a getaway in an unusual accommodation can also be enough to change the scenery.

Ultimately, slow travel doesn’t necessarily mean going far or staying for a long time. It’s mainly about choosing a destination that suits your preferences, simplifying your itinerary, and fully enjoying the moments spent there.

Whether you are traveling as a couple, solo, or with family, All Saints' Day holidays are a wonderful opportunity to slow down, discover new landscapes, and return home with beautiful memories.

And what would you choose for your next autumn holiday: a cabin in the forest, charming English villages, or a sunny getaway on the Côte d’Azur?