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Autumn Holidays with Mark Warner
There's a stretch of the year when the UK reaches for scarves and gloves, and the Mediterranean is still glowing gold. That's autumn with Mark Warner.
September brings quieter resorts, warm seas and long golden evenings - the school term's back, so the crowds thin out, but the sunshine doesn't. Come October half term, there's still time for one last family adventure before the year turns, complete with watersports, tennis, cycling and a bit of half-term Halloween fun for the kids.
Across our resorts in the Greek islands, on the Ionian coast and along Turkey's Aegean coast, autumn has its own rhythm: slower mornings, warmer evenings and every activity included in your holiday. Here's what to expect, resort by resort.
What autumn looks like at each resort
Lemnos, Greece
Quiet beaches and warm evenings
September on Lemnos is unhurried. Days sit around 25°C with warm, clear water and cool evenings, ideal for sunset strolls or dining outside once the sun's gone down.
At our Lemnos Beach Resort on Plati Beach, mornings usually start with a swim or a paddleboard session in the calm, shallow bay, easy going enough for young children and first-timers. Through the day there's stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, dinghy sailing, tennis and many other activites, all included in your holiday, or you can just find a parasol and a book.
Local area: Head into Myrina, the island's capital, for an afternoon of boutique shopping, castle ruins and a seaside taverna for dinner. Back at the resort, villa-style rooms (many with sea views) and warm Greek hospitality make it an easy place to switch off.
Flights: direct from London in under 4 hours, plus a 25-minute transfer.
Lesvos, Greece
An easy pace on the Aegean
Lesvos slows things down too. September days sit around 26°C, perfect for watersports, tennis, padel or a spot of mountain or road biking, all included in your holiday.
Our Aeolian Village Beach Resort sits on the golden sands of Eressos Beach, with fantastic winds for windsurfing and winging and every Mark Warner activity within easy reach. Some days you'll want to be out on the water; others, the pool and a sun lounger will do just fine.
Local area: A 15-minute walk away, the village of Skala Eressos is full of beachfront cafes and tavernas. Visit in September and you might catch the International Eressos Women's Festival, two weeks of music, art and dance held in the birthplace of the poet Sappho.
Flights: direct from London in just over 4 hours, followed by a scenic 90-minute transfer through olive groves.
Ionian coast, Greece
September sun into October half term
Paleros settles into a different rhythm once peak season passes. September days sit around 27°C with cooler evenings; by October half term, it's a milder 23°C by day and closer to 16°C by evening, with the resort's winds picking up, perfect for sailing and windsurfing.
Our Paleros Beach Resort sits on Portmaki Beach, where a wide, gently sloping shore leads into calm, shallow water framed by mountains and olive groves. Days here might mean sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, rowing or paddleboarding, plus tennis, cycling and fitness classes, all included, with expert coaching and serve clinics on hand for anyone who wants to improve (a small fee applies for more focused sessions). There's an adults-only pool alongside the family and children's pools, and a spa for quieter afternoons.
Local area: Borrow one of our free bikes and ride into the harbour town of Paleros, or take a boat over to Meganisi or Kefalonia for the day.
Flights: land in Preveza in around 3.5 hours from London Gatwick, with a short 30-minute transfer and convenient Sunday arrivals and departures - the shortest journey of any Mark Warner resort.
Come October half term, the kids can also look forward to a spooktastic Halloween adventure during their stay.
Turkey's Aegean coast
Late sun and ancient history
The Aegean coast of Turkey holds onto its sunshine well into autumn. September brings temperatures into the high 20s with a sea around 24°C; by October half term, it's still a comfortable 24°C, with fewer crowds and more room by the pool.
Our Phokaia Beach Resort sits in a private bay near the fishing town of Foca. Days here take in sailing and windsurfing tuition, tennis, pickleball, cycling and fitness classes, all included, with a Turkish hammam and spa for slower moments. Spacious family accommodation (including villas for larger groups) and free, age-appropriate kids clubs mean everyone, from toddlers to teens, has something to do.
Local area: Just under two hours away is Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, and a genuinely brilliant half-term day out for young history fans following in the footsteps of Cleopatra and Marc Antony.
Flights: direct from London Gatwick to Izmir in just over 4 hours, followed by a 90-minute transfer to the resort.
Activities included in your holiday, whatever the season
Autumn doesn't change what's included, just how much room you've got to enjoy it. Every Mark Warner holiday comes with:
✓ Watersports for every age - kids in our clubs get free taster sessions in sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding and kayaking
✓ RYA sailing and windsurfing courses - for ages 6 to 13, stages 1 to 4; adults can join free clinics or book RYA courses
✓ Diving trips - PADI-guided boat trips from Aeolian Village (additional cost)
✓ Tennis for every age - mini LTA course for 3 to 5-year-olds, junior LTA for 6 to 12-year-olds (additional cost)
✓ Padel and pickleball -with dedicated padel courts in Aeolian and Paleros
✓ Cycling - free mountain and road bikes for over-13s, plus guided tours of the local area
✓ Family and toddler pools - with water polo and water games for teens
✓ Childcare and kids clubs - Junior (6-9), Kidz (10-13) and Indy (14-17); booking ahead is required to secure a place
See all activities in each resort here →
Autumn weather across our resorts
• September: Lemnos and Aeolian Village are lovely picks for a September escape.
• October half term: For a getaway that lines up with October half term specifically, Paleros and Phokaia are the two resorts to look at.
Frequently asked questions about autumn holidays with Mark Warner
What's a September holiday with Mark Warner like?
Warm days, warm seas and quieter resorts once the school term starts - ideal for an active getaway on Lemnos, Lesvos or the Ionian coast, with every activity included.
Which resorts stay open for October half term?
Our Paleros Beach Resort on the Ionian coast and Phokaia Beach Resort in Turkey both stay open through October half term, with sea temperatures still warm enough for swimming and watersports.
Is it still warm enough for a family holiday in autumn?
Southern Europe stays warm well into autumn. Both Paleros and Phokaia sit around 23-24°C through October half term, with plenty of sunshine and mild evenings.
What can families do on an autumn holiday?
Everyone's covered - watersports and land sports for older children and adults, free kids clubs for younger ones, and nearby ancient sites like Ephesus for a change of pace, all included in your holiday (you might have to pay to see the ruins).
Ready to book your autumn holiday
Whether you're chasing one last blast of September sun or planning a family adventure for October half term, autumn at Mark Warner has its own quiet magic - Lemnos and Aeolian Village in the Greek islands, Paleros on the Ionian coast, or Phokaia on Turkey's Aegean coast, each with its own mix of activities, childcare and comfortable accommodation, all included.
Book your September holiday or October half term getaway now, and make the most of the Mediterranean before autumn turns to winter.
Explore September holidays → | Explore October half term holidays → | Contact us →
