Autumn is one of my favorite times of year. The changing leaves, the chill in the air, and the promise of cozy evenings by the fire ease the transition from summer to winter. If you love the fall season and want to see it at its best, today I bring you my 9 best places to travel in autumn.
Best Places to Travel in Autumn
The world has no shortage of amazing places to see fall colors, sit by a fire, or indulge in the best of the year’s harvest. So if you’re wondering where to travel in autumn, read on.
1. New England, USA
New England is famous for its fall colors, and the leaves in this part of the world are hard to beat. It tops my list of the best places to travel in autumn for good reason.
One of my favorite things about going to university in Rhode Island was the abundance of fall foliage in New England. It was amazing to see the colors change on campus every September.
The drive from Providence to Boston was gorgeous, and a backpacking trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire was one of my most memorable college travel experiences.
2. Burgundy, France
Across the Atlantic Ocean, France’s Burgundy is another great place to visit in fall. Why? Autumn means one thing in wine country: harvest.
It’s a great time to visit Burgundy to see the grapes coming off the vines and revel in the buzz of activity.
This part of France is also beautiful during the autumn season, so it’s an ideal time to hop in a car (or on a bike) and cruise through the vineyards.
3. San Francisco, California, USA
Don’t let San Francisco fool you. This Californian city may seem like the perfect summer travel destination, but locals know it’s at its best in fall.
As the summer fog burns off, San Francisco becomes one of the best places to travel in autumn. September and October tend to have the best weather of the year, not to mention fewer crowds.
That means autumn is the best time to hit the beach, bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, and do all the other fun outdoor activities San Francisco has to offer.
4. Patagonia, Chile
The Southern Hemisphere’s spring is a great time to visit Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. It’s full of everything from mountain peaks to icy glaciers and adorable guanacos.
With fewer crowds than the peak summer season and better chances of seeing wildlife and avoiding harsh winds, November is a great time to visit Patagonia. There are good travel deals to be found at this time of year, too.
5. New Forest, UK
England’s New Forest is another of the best places to travel in autumn. This area of pasture land, heath, and forest in Hampshire and Wiltshire is stunning when the leaves turn.
I’ll never forget my first trip to the New Forest in autumn. The colors on the leaves were so bright that I thought I had stepped into a dream.
Southern England’s gem of a wilderness is the perfect place to be ensconced in fall foliage, and easy to visit on an autumn day trip from London.
6. Alba, Italy
One of my best foodie trips in Europe was the one I took to the White Truffle Festival in Alba, Italy. Every autumn this pretty town in Piedmont comes alive with the scent of the season.
White truffles fill the air, the plates, and the shops as visitors from all over the world come to celebrate the delicacy. Make sure to arrive hungry!
7. Bali, Indonesia
Out in Asia, one of the best places to travel in autumn is Bali. September and October are great months to visit, as the peak summer crowds are gone and the climate is still friendly.
From the coastal beaches to the inland rice fields, the island is ripe for exploration in the fall. It’s also a great place to get one last dose of sun and sand before winter sets in back home.
8. Paso Robles, California, USA
If you prefer New World wines to old, Paso Robles is your ideal autumn travel destination. The fall colors are heavy on the vines, the harvest is in full swing, and California’s golden autumn sunshine is pretty much guaranteed.
Better yet, this wine region is less touristy than Napa so you won’t have to jostle for space in the tasting rooms. And don’t even get me started on how amazing Paso Robles winery weddings are in autumn.
9. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia is the perfect place for a safari in September or October. I went once in October and saw more wildlife than I’ve seen on any other safari in Africa (and I’ve done a few!).
The sheer volume and diversity of species blew me away, as did the fact that I could watch the elephants out the window of my room. This is truly a unique part of the world.
Places to Travel in Autumn
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to where to go in autumn. There are so many great places to travel in fall that I’m sure they’ll keep your schedule packed this season and for many more to come.
If you’re looking for inspiration for travel in Britain this season, you can take a look at my blog post about the best places to visit in the UK in autumn.
What about you? What do you think are the best places to travel in autumn?
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