Grab some (cheap) sun in October half-term

October half-term, in my opinion, is a dull and uninspiring time of year to have a break.  Everyone's still dazed from a sluggish 7 weeks back at school and the monotonous early morning starts are evil, particularly where the clocks go back! 

Therefore, in order to gird your family's loins for the uphill struggle towards the glorious fortnight of Christmas, why not get away on a cheap autumn break for a few days of sunny skies and sangria in Madrid?

Direct flights with Iberia are currently coming in at just £38 return from Birmingham to Madrid for the October week.  And, they're decent flight times too; no early morning starts to worry about!

Madrid has everything for a city break. Football stadium tours for the sports fans, world-renowned art galleries for the creative spirits and perfect plazas for those who'd rather while away an afternoon with al fresco drinks and nibbles in the sunshine.

And, as if Madrid itself wasn't enough of a pull, a mere 50 miles outside of the bustling capital city is Toledo, a gem of a hilltop town with a majestic cathedral and wonderfully meandering cobbled streets leading down to the Tagus river.  Toledo is an easy daytrip by train from the cosmopolitan avenidas of Madrid and makes for a sedate peak into rural Spain.

So, for £150 for a family of four, Espana welcomes you to explore her fascinating culture...