Went to Greece, this October ...3 days visiting in Athens and then to the island of Rhodes ,to a little town called Lindos.
Lindos is the little Gem...wonderful people, great food ,excellent weather, great beach and not crowded at that time of year.
Thanks to all of you , who helped plan our trip,we had a fantastic holiday!
So much ,that we want to do Europe again next October.
We don't know where yet ... I'm looking for somewhere ,where we can enjoy the culture , go to a market and do our own cooking most of the time .
We felt so safe in Lindos ,that was a plus.
Any suggestions? thank you in advance.

I chose Nice for exactly those reasons. Great town and the weather was wonderful...not too hot, wear a blazer it was just right. I was there 10/5 through 10/12/13

Prague is always a good choice. If you are in France, I always think that the area between Nice and Monaco is one the most amazing parts of the country. In fact, if you have the legs, there is an all-day walk from Nice to Monaco along the coast - it is wonderful.

At that time of year I gravitate south - Rome, Florence, Sicily (may kind of be like your Greek experience - laid back - southern France or southern Spain - the Seville area is fascinating and there are many nice places in a compact area - but if warmer weather don't matter and you are OK with often dreary overcast cool (but not cold) days often the norm IME then yes anyplace in Europe is always fantastic to me.

A combination of Provence and Paris would give you both country and city experience. Weather should be good in both places and both have tons of markets.

I've never felt unsafe any place in Europe.

Croatia? Perhaps Dubrovnik? There are daily markets there and the weather shouldn't be too cold in October.
http://www.timeout.com/dubrovnik/fea...rovnik-markets

There's also the popular Dolac Market in the center of Zagreb if you should find yourself visiting the capital.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v_YGmTB9w4

I've never felt unsafe any place in Europe.>

ditto to that - whereas in the U.S. I would fear going to many parts of large cities like Detroit - in my state.

Put angst to rest about being unsafe but do take precautions to not be a pickpocket target.

Sicily - for a great many reasons, just one of them being a re-visit to Greece for you (it will feel like it, with the Greek temples still standing in several locations...).

Spain...
Andalusia..

Wow! Thanks everybody...research is starting...

I think we may have decided on Sicily.
Sounds like what I'm thinking of as a holiday...
Beaches, old quaint little villages, reserves, hikes, good food, nice people.
We would like to visit after the rush of tourists season is over.
Not sure if that is Sept. or Oct.?
I would like to have cooking facilities though and be able to go the market sometimes.
Should we have a home base town and then travel to other towns.
Any suggestions on what towns we should visit...
We have about 2weeks.
Also would love to visit Greek temples and churches.
Thanks in advance.

You can't cover Sicily from one base. You'd probably need 3 locations - Palermo, Agrigento, Siracusa area. Fly into Catania and rent a car; fly home from Palermo but drop the car before staying in the city. Do a loop around the island.