Autumn school holidays are short — just one week in early November. In Belarus it's already cold and dark by then, so parents have one question on their minds: where to fly for 6–8 nights so that the journey doesn't eat up half the holiday. We've put together five ideas — honestly, with the pros and cons of each.
1. Egypt — the warmest sea nearby
In early November it's still summer here: around +28°C during the day, water at +25…26°C. Hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis, and most have kids' pools, water slides and entertainment. Visas are issued on arrival.
Who it suits: families who need a guaranteed sea and minimal organisational hassle. What to keep in mind: Egypt tours for the school holidays are the first to sell out — it's best to look now. We have a separate article about Sharm El Sheikh in autumn.
2. UAE — sea plus entertainment
The season starts in the Emirates in November: the heat drops to around +30°C, and the water is about +27°C. People come here not just for the beach — water parks, theme parks and observation decks will keep a child of any age entertained.
Who it suits: families with schoolchildren and teenagers who get bored on the beach quickly. What to keep in mind: the tour will cost more than Egypt, and all-inclusive is less common — more often it's breakfast or half board.
3. Turkey — the hotel instead of the beach
The beach season in Turkey is over by November: around +20…22°C during the day, sea at about +21°C. Not everyone braves swimming in it, but hotels have heated pools, aqua zones and kids' clubs open, and prices are noticeably lower than in summer.
Who it suits: those who value a short flight, a large hotel with a kids' programme and a reasonable budget. What to keep in mind: choose a hotel specifically for its indoor and heated pools — without them, the holiday turns into walks along the seafront. If you can fly out in October, take a look at our "Turkey in October" selection below this article.
4. Thailand — if the holidays can be stretched
In November the rainy season ends in Phuket, the sea becomes calmer, and prices haven't yet risen to New Year levels. But the flight is long, and there's no point flying for six nights: the journey and the time zone change will eat up too much.
Who it suits: those who can add a few days to the holidays and fly for 10–12 nights. What to keep in mind: rain is still possible early in the month, usually short showers. More details in the article "Thailand in Autumn".
5. Without the sea: Georgia or Belarus
Not everyone needs a beach during the holidays. In Georgia, November still feels like a mild autumn: Tbilisi, Kakheti, sulphur baths and the food that people travel there for in its own right. No visa required, and the flight is short.
And if you don't feel like flying anywhere, there are Belarusian sanatoriums and country estates — with a pool, treatments and peace and quiet. We've gathered the options in the "Holidays in Belarus" section.
How to book in time
- Don't wait until the last week. There are fewer places for the holidays than there are people who want them: closer to the dates, what's left are inconvenient flights and hotels nobody chose.
- Look at neighbouring dates. Departing a day before or after the holidays start is often cheaper and has more availability.
- Count nights, not days. A 7-night tour with an overnight outbound flight and a morning return flight is five full days of holiday, not seven.
- Check your child's passport. Children's passports have shorter validity than adults', and people remember this at the last moment.
- Is your child travelling without their parents? With a grandmother, coach or other accompanying adult, notarised parental consent is required. If travelling with one parent, the other parent's consent is not needed.
Entry rules by country are in the "Entry Rules" section. And if you can't choose between two options, leave a request below the article: a manager will find tours to suit your dates and family composition.
