Fall is a great time to travel, and not only to enjoy the beautiful scenery enhanced by autumn foliage, but it often means fewer tourists, lower airfares, and better bargains. If you’re thinking about a fall vacation, you can’t go wrong with any of these fabulous destinations.
1. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a city packed with eclectic culture and life. There is a little bit of everything, be it architecture, cuisine, history or nature. So much is squeezed into this small city, it’s perfect for an adventure filled autumn trip, whilst you dip into fun museums, munch on stroopwafel and soak up the lively, yet laid-back, atmosphere of the Dutch capital. In autumn Amsterdam sees the leaves turn fiery on the 400,000 trees which line the city’s famous canals, and candles are lit in the windows of its townhouses from mid-afternoon every day.
2. Lugano, Switzerland
The traditional Lugano Autumn Festival is returning, bringing the streets and squares of the old city centre to life. For three days, during the first week of October, visitors will be able to discover local cuisine from Ticino at the various grottos spread throughout the city streets. The autumn market selling local food products and handicrafts is also not to be missed. To add to the festivities, there will be plenty of musical entertainment offered by various folk bands.
3. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming and Montana
Yellowstone is hard to beat if you want awe-inspiring scenery, friendly western hospitality, and an abundance of wildlife in your fall vacation. The “closest thing to a safari experience in the lower 48,” it’s home to 67 species of mammals, like moose, bears, wolves, bison, elk, and lots more. In September, the elk often have begun rutting and can be seen around Mammoth Hot Springs. Bears and other animals become more visible as fall goes on. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy hiking on the more than 1,000 miles of trails, often in idyllic weather, although early snow can occur.
4. Bruges, Belgium
The gorgeous medieval city of Bruges packs a punch in autumn, with spectacular canalside colours, the atmospheric old town and just the sort of food that’s right in October and November! Just two of the must try Belgian foods are decadent waffles smothered in cream and fruity autumn berries, or frites with mayonnaise, the traditional Belgian accompaniment. Easily accessible from London or Paris via the Eurostar, Bruges is perfect for an autumn weekend break for Brits and northern Europeans, ideal for strolling and relaxing. The Minneswater (Lake of Love) will be surrounded by autumn colours as the trees turn and is a great place to meander. Follow the windmill path for fabulous views of the oldest windmills in the city, highlighted on the landscape against the low autumn sun.
5. Bilbao, Spain
Robert Wotherwell, Yves Klein, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, the greatest artists await you in autumn at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Avoid long queues and crowded rooms, in autumn everything is quieter in Bilbao. The permanent collection of the museum offers you incredible artworks which you can enjoy in the tranquility of a soothed museum room visited only by privileged few. If you prefer landscapes to museum artworks, no problem, the vineyards around Bilbao have beautiful colours in autumn.
