Puglia, Italy

Experience the historic beauty of Puglia, in the heel of Italy’s boot, with a  seven day cycling holiday organised by Headwater.

This hotel-to-hotel trip is moderate enough for older children to enjoy but younger ones may struggle with the 20 miles of cycling each day. If you do think the daily amount of pedal time is too much for your family, this trip can easily be self-organised to include shorter days.

Puglia is one of the most picturesque regions in Italy and is home to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberobello – the home of the infamous trullo houses. During this seven-day trip you will get to spend two nights staying in one of these incredibly quaint little houses as well as visiting several wine towns, fishing villages and farming hamlets. A trip to Polignano a Mare is unmissable for the coastal views and a visit to the Grotte di Castellana is well worth squeezing in too.

During peak holiday season, Puglia is incredibly hot and full of Italian holidaymakers who journey down from the north to enjoy the beautiful views, white sand beaches and delectable cuisine. In October the weather has cooled down and the crowds have departed, making it an ideal time of year for a family cycling holiday.

Provence, France

For an easy-paced, relaxing cycling holiday with plenty to see and do, Provence in the south of France could be the perfect choice for you and your family.

Inntravel organise four, six and seven-night self-guided, non-group cycling holidays that allow each family to go at their own pace and stop wherever they like along the way. This is a hotel-to-hotel cycling holiday and all of your luggage is transported for you each day so you can cycle comfortably with just the bare essentials in your daypack.

Detailed maps and notes are provided to prevent you getting lost and high-quality rental bikes are included in the cost so that you don’t have to lug your own bikes to Provence (of course you can take your own if you prefer).

Inntravel offers a choice of routes varying from easy to moderate cycling levels so you can choose the right one for you. Whichever route you opt for, you will be cycling through idyllic stone villages, colourful market towns, past ancient abbeys, through lavender-filled fields and past spectacular sunsets.

And once you’ve pedalled up an appetite, there will be delicious French cuisine waiting for you at your hotel.

Lanzarote, The Canary Islands

Lanzarote is a particular favourite for all types of British holidaymakers during the October half term, cyclists included. Due to its Mediterranean climate, the weather at this time of year tends to stay in the mid-twenties making it a perfect choice destination for cyclists.

Freewheel Holidays organises seven-day self-guided and guided cycling tours around the island of Lanzarote. Starting in Costa Teguise, the route passes through Haria, San Bartolome and Playa Blanca before finishing in Arrecife. The cycling is moderate in skill and anyone with a bit of cycling experience and a reasonable level of fitness should be able to complete the route without any problems.

All of your accommodation and nightly dinners are included in the package regardless of whether you opt for the guided or self-guided options and you will have a couple of rest days to give you time to explore everything else the island has to offer or to take a day-trip on the ferry to Fuerteventura (with or without your bike).

Whilst cycling around Lanzarote, you will be awarded stunning views of volcanoes, lava flows, beautiful sandy coastlines and the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya.

Sardinia, Italy

Another great destination for a bit of October sun, Sardinia is a little island off the western coast of Italy all too often overlooked as a holiday destination by Brits.

Responsible Travel offer a choice of two self-guided eight day family cycling holidays in the south of Sardinia. Both choices offer riders the chance to pedal along scenic undulating country lanes and down picturesque coastal roads. Passing by vineyards, olive groves and oak wooded valleys, the scenery en route is simply stunning and there are plenty of activities to enjoy along the way too.

Whether your idea of heaven is spending a day pedalling from winery to bakery, fishery to olive oil mill; or you prefer cycling between beaches to go snorkelling, jet-skiing and banana-boating – there is plenty to keep you entertained on these trips.