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Summer is all about ocean tang and winters are for swooshing down the slopes, but fall is a fabulous time for planning shoulder-season adventures. Free from the tangled crowds and often still temperate enough to soak up the great outdoors, autumn is an amazing time to travel. For those who dream of crisp clean air, the crunch of colorful leaves released from trees, and a cozy new energy - then read on to check out the best places to visit in the fall...
The Absolute Best Fall Destinations in Europe
Crunching beautiful fall foliage beneath your feet as you stroll the Seine, mountain biking in Spain, or trying out all the coziest dining venues in Florence, is there anything more alluring than the idea of Europe in the autumn season. Fewer crowds can mean a more local feeling and shorter queues for hitting up all those culturally rich museums. Europe also has some awesome fall festival events - Oktoberfest anyone? For those looking for a euro trip between mid-September and late October, these fall getaways have got you covered...
Bulgaria
The Balkans are one of the most underrated destinations in Europe especially when the summer sultry mood starts to fade. Winters can be harsh, but September and October make for a fabulous time to head out into the leftover sunshine of lesser-known Bulgaria. Hike the Seven Lakes of Rila to see glorious displays of autumnal foliage, breathe in the old-world scents of woodsmoke and honey at the local monasteries, and sip and swirl incredible wines at the country’s homely vineyards. While parts of Bulgaria still live in rural bliss with fattened pumpkins and trundling horses and carts, the cities of Plovdiv and Sofia brim with old-world delights, cool bars and underground arts.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
- What to do: Escape to the wild with a seven-day yoga vacation in the village of Banya. Blending holistic healing with culture and the chance to see Bulgaria's gorgeous foliage.
- Average temps: 70-53 F
- General costs: Bulgaria is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. Expect off the beaten track adventures, rural charm, and low prices.
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Italy in fall is always fabulous and especially in Florence where romance echoes across beautiful piazzas and Tuscan tables groan beneath the weight of freshly dug truffles and chestnuts. While the summer months see Florence swell with tourists, the masses have magically disappeared come the autumn, leaving the museums, churches and galleries clear of crowds. Tiptoe around the Uffizi Gallery, fall in love with Michelangelo’s David at the Firenze and hit the Sant Ambrogio Market to taste the finest seasonal gifts from the surrounding patchwork hills and sprawling vineyards.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
- What to do: Treat yo'self to a luxury life-changing spiritual yoga retreat in the golden hills of Tuscany. La Dolce Vita is waiting with yummy food, spa delights, and ancient thermal waters.
- Average temps: 79-57 F
- General costs: Florence is more affordable than Venice or Rome and you can dig out foodie steals for sure.
Scottish Highlands, UK
Sure, you have to pack for every kind of weather, but the Scottish Highlands are ripe with gorgeous views, colorful trees, cobalt blue lochs, and the rise and fall of surrounding mountains. While summers can be plagued with midges and downpours, an early fall visit before the weather truly takes a winter turn can serve up ideal conditions for outdoor activities. Craggy climbs, rocky coastlines, and all the Munro's you can bag will keep outdoor enthusiasts smitten. Even for those who prefer to leave the hiking trail behind, there's cozy pubs, delicious food, and colorful local shops and epic road trip routes to showcase all those fall colors.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
- What to do: Take a hike, book a scenic train ride through the Cairngorms, and sleep in fairytale castles on a bonnie trip to Scotland.
- Average temps: 57 - 43F
- General costs: The UK can be pricy, but Scotland is one of the cheaper spots to travel in the country.
Ibiza, Spain
The party island pumps up the volume in the summer months, but the shoulder season is calmer and quieter while still being sultry and warm making it excellent for lazy beach days and exploring. Hit the hippy markets, take the boat to bicycle around the island of Formentera (home to one of the best beaches in Europe), and be sure to catch the mind-meltingly good sunset sink behind the sacred rock of Es Vedras.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
- What to do: Boho bliss and balance is waiting on the infamous White Island with this chic yoga escape in an authentic 150-year-old Finca.
- Average temps:81-66F
- General costs: The queen of the Balearics can be pricy especially if you are there to party.
Some other fabulous ideas for your fall trip...
Paris for crisp coffee mornings and poetic autumn foliage
Prague for literary lore and mind-blowing natural beauty
Munich for the perfect fall getaway at Oktoberfest
Vicentina Coast National Park in Portugal for big waves, coastal hikes, empty beaches, and sunny weather.
SHOP SOZY
Best Fall Vacation Spots in the US and Canada
When it comes to stunning fall foliage and gorgeous hiking trails with cooler temperatures and lesser crowds, you cannot beat the grace and beauty of the USA and Canada. Ripe with spots like the rippling Blue Ridge Mountains, the golden glory of the Grand Canyon, and small-town spots soaked with charm and scenic beauty, spending the fall months in North America is a true treat. Take a look at some of our favorite places for a fall getaway.
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Brimming with pretty parks, back to school energy, seasonal seafood delights, and a prism of reds and golds – Boston makes for epic fall vacations. Take a walk along the Freedom Trail to see the trees shake off their summer dresses or take a scenic drive out to Concord to catch sight of the stunning surrounding countryside where the best fall foliage will be in bloom. Back in the city and sports fans can score tickets to a Red Sox game. Foodies will fall hard for Boston’s fall flavors; the chill winds, crisp days, and cobalt blue waters of New England make sitting down to a steaming clam chowder or fresh lobster even more worthwhile. Find the most lip-smackingly thick soups at Eventide Fenway or Legal Seafoods.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
- What to do: Home to one of the best spas in the US, pamper yourself for a night or two at the Mandarin Orientals Urban Spa.
- Average temps:72-58 F
- General costs: Boston is one of the more expensive cities in the US so plan lots of outdoor activities to keep costs cheap.
Aspen, Colorado, US
Colorado Aspen is everyone's favorite winter escape, but this mountain resort is magical as a year-round destination and especially in the fall. Ever inspiring, seeing Aspen Mountain powdered in snow and surrounded by the blazing colorful foliage is a fabulous experience. In September, the Snowmass Balloon festival sees hundreds of bright hot air balloons take to the skies. When not gazing at a blazing blue crisp weather sky filled with balloons and baskets, you can take a drive up Independence Pass to witness the hills explode into a frenzy of fall season shades of russet reds and golds from the Aspen trees. If you haven't had your fill of Mother Nature after all that leaf-peeping, you can hit up the hiking trails that make the Rocky Mountains so magical and even catch a glimpse of the elk rut up in the high country.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
- What to do: Immerse yourself in nature even further and bring a hint of mindful magic into a wine country stay with a 3 day vegan, yoga, and meditation retreat in the stunning area of majestic Grand Mesa.
- Average temps:61 - 34F
- General costs: Aspen is the most expensive mountain in the USA, but a fall weekend trip will cost less than the winter season.
New York City, New York
Leave those sweaty city summer crowds behind and swerve the biting winds as you pick early October or even early November to head to New York. There are so many things to do in NYC like take a bike ride through Central Park and watch the leaves change colors, munch on seasonal apple cider donuts at the farmers market, fill those cool nights with Broadway shows and be dazzled by all that Halloween activity. Just a short drive upstate and you hit Sleepy Hollow. Brimming with old legends and haunted houses, you can take a step back in time with apple picking and get deliciously spooked hanging out at the headless horseman bridge.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
- What to do: After all that city excitement you can head to this Catskill Mountain resort for a breezy three-day healing chakra retreat.
- Average temps:71-48 F
- General costs: Well, it is NYC - you either splash the cash or live off pizza slices.
Montréal, Québec, Canada
Hit up Canada before the big chill settles and be sure to swing by Montreal for some fall fun. The cobbled streets slick with rain, the trees lending a russet tone to the city, and the pure pleasure of slurping pearly pleasures in one of the numerous oyster bars – why would you want to be anyplace else? Stroll around the historic Old Port, book a table at Joe Beef, and catch an ice hockey game for a fine flush of local culture. Fall is the season of fine fall festivals in Montreal and visitors can soak up the action at the Pop Montreal Festival and the Festival du Nouveau Cinema. Or even plan a two-week road trip to explore the rest of Quebec.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
- What to do: Book a cabin at the Gaia Wellness Retreat to truly immerse yourself in fall foliage season. Our fave: Take a magical holiday trip to Quebec for Christmas.
- Average temps: 63 - 49 F
- General costs: It's not budget travel but it's also not as expensive as New York.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, US
Few places can live up to Wyoming’s autumnal landscapes. From the rippling mountains to the deep golden forests, a visit to Jackson Hole is like slipping into a children’s picture book. Gulp down clear fresh air, pack your hiking boots and head out on the trails that crisscross the Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, and be sure to sling your camera around your neck to capture near-perfect snaps of the Rockies in their beautiful fall colors. Fall is also the time of year you can witness the famed Elk bugling as the majestic creatures start their orchestral calls for a mate.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
- What to do: Strap on your hiking shoes and make the most of being surrounded by two of the best state parks with a seven-day women's only adventure to Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
- Average temps:62-32 F
- General costs: Jackson Hole is pricier than some other destinations in the US, but there's plenty of outdoor activities you can do for free.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
One of the best fall vacations can be found in the popular destination of Vancouver Island. This natural paradise looks even prettier when drowned out under a blanket of beautiful foliage. Fall is the perfect time to catch the salmon run at Goldstream Provincial Park or to fill your heart with even more autumn color with a bike ride around Galloping Goose Trail. Seafood lovers can tickle their fancy at the Clayoquot Oyster Festival, and you can ride the historic Alberni Pacific Railway across golden meadows and between thick evergreen trees.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
- What to do: Pristine lakes, waterfalls, and world-class wines will soothe your soul at this 5-day rivers, hiking, and wellness retreat.
- Average temps:64 - 50 F
- General costs: FYI, Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities in Canada, but there's plenty of hikes for free.
Some other fabulous ideas for your fall trip...
Napa Valley for a weekend of sipping and swirling.
North Carolina for strolls in the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway scenic byway drives.
New Mexico for corn maze charm and pick a pumpkin day.
Lake Tahoe for lower-priced lodges, warm days, and peak foliage.
Where are your favorite fall destinations? Share with us in the comments and let’s get packing those cashmere sweaters and downloading those travel apps for sweet autumnal trips to celebrate the harvest season.
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