Why is Fall one of the best seasons to travel? From colorful foliage, to less crowds at popular destinations, to spectacular seasonal festivals, here’s everything you need to know about what’s in store for travelers this upcoming Fall season!
Where to travel in North America for beautiful Fall Foliage:
Fall is a mesmerizing time to travel with beautiful autumnal red, yellow, purple, and orange hues appearing across landscapes. This phenomenon only happens once a year in certain destinations around the world making it a sight not to be missed. Take a closer look at some of the best destinations in North America where you can take in vibrant Fall foliage:
New England and Canada: Fall is one of Mother Nature’s favorite times of the year to flaunt her beauty. Travel along the coast and witness the most breathtaking Fall foliage on a New England and Canada cruise where you can visit amazing places that are often overlooked. From lighthouses, lobsters, and Acadia National Park in Maine, to old city charm and cobblestone streets in French-inspired Quebec City, Canada, New England and Canada cruises offer a relaxing and remarkable Fall travel experience.
USA National Parks: Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, and Grand Teton are three of the best national parks to visit in the Fall. Discover the parks on a seasonal escorted tour and awe over bright hues of yellow and red at Yosemite National Park in late October, yellow and purple landscapes at Rocky Mountain National Park (pack warm clothes, though, as it cools down in Autumn), and countless shades of green in Grand Teton National Park!
Pacific Coast: There’s nothing like enjoying brisk weather and sampling the finest wine varietals during the Fall. For travelers looking to explore the West Coast, consider Pacific Coastal cruises that will take you to California hotspots like Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and more, where pairing the best vintages with stunning Fall foliage scenery during the harvesting season is even more enjoyable. A different experience from New England Fall foliage, wine regions near San Francisco such as Amador County, Monterey County, and Napa Valley offer a unique West Coast twist. Be sure to book any winery tours in advance, however, as the harvest means a delightful but busy schedule of wining and dining.
Where to travel to avoid typical seasonal crowds:
There are three main reasons why we love traveling in Autumn. First and foremost, crowds dwindle in the Fall months at ever-popular destinations such as Rome and Paris as kids go back to school and family travel is at a low. Second, cooler and drier weather during the Fall months makes traveling to destinations like the East Coast, Asia, and Southeast Asia, which are often quite hot during the Summer, a lot more bearable and enjoyable. Lastly, because there are less people traveling during the Fall versus Summer months, you’ll notice lower prices and huge travel deals become available. (Psst – be sure to ask us about some travel deals that we have going on right now!)
Mediterranean Cruises: Our editors highly recommend traveling to Europe during the Fall, especially the Mediterranean where extremely popular Summer destinations such as Spain, Italy, Greece, and more are less crowded and have cooler temperatures. Famous sites in Europe such as the Colosseum, La Sagrada Familia, and Vatican to name a few, are some of the most densely populated attractions during Summer. In Autumn, however, you’ll be able to take your time absorbing the true beauty of these places during this off season, plus enjoy tasty seasonal dishes! (Not sure if you want to cruise? There are plenty of alternate Fall Europe vacation options that allow you to avoid the huge crowds and Summer Mediterranean temperatures.)
Resort Vacations: Just because it’s Fall doesn’t mean tropical destinations with warm water, sandy beaches, and sunshine are off the table. If paradise is what you’re looking for, travel to Hawaii, Mexico, and similar tropical hotspots during late September/October and you’ll enjoy a similar escape from heavy Summer crowds. With fewer people, you’ll be greeted with easy access to open and tranquil beaches, as well as less congested hotels, resorts, and other popular places with cheaper rates.
Where to travel for the best Fall festivals:
Fall has always been a season to celebrate around the world and one of the best parts of traveling during this season are the numerous festivals around cuisine, harvests, and more! These are travel bucket list-worthy events and should be crossed off at least once (or maybe twice) in every traveler’s lifetime!
Oktoberfest: Munich, Germany – As one of the world’s most widely recognized Fall festivals, Oktoberfest is truly a cultural experience unlike any other! Held annually in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is the world’s largest ‘Volkfest’ (beer festival & traveling fun fair) and begins every third Saturday in September. Dress up, have fun, and taste delicious, iconic cuisine – from pretzels to sauerkraut and more – all while sampling delicious brews. Oktoberfest tours are a great way to join the celebration while enjoying Europe’s other top-notch destinations as well.- Harvest on the Harbor: Portland, Maine – Foodies can unite in Maine during Fall with Harvest on the Harbor; a festival dedicated to telling the authentic stories of food and drink in Portland, Maine and surrounding places. Explore and shop in the harbor, enjoy a sustainable seafood soiree, and of course, taste Maine’s celebrated lobster dishes while here! Select New England and Canada cruises with local port-of-calls offer the opportunity to experience the charms of the season in Maine during a larger East Coast vacation.
Salon du Chocolat: Paris, France – For chocolate lovers, Salon du Chocolat is an experience unlike any other. From October 28 to November 1, Salon du Chocolat will take place at Porte de Versailles for its 22nd annual celebration. Featuring the world’s greatest chefs and pastry makers plus chocolate workshops, highlights from the world’s most renowned cocoa-producing countries, and even a Chocolate Fashion Show, you don’t want to miss this delicious exhibition! Find out more about visiting Europe this Fall to catch the festival.
Dia de los Muertos: Mexico, Latin America, and other parts of the world – While the ‘Day of the Dead’ may sound frightful, it is truly a special and amazing multi-day cultural holiday. From October 31 to November 2, Dia de los Muertos celebrations focus on the gatherings of family and friends to remember ancestors and include creating artistic alters called ofrendas that honor the deceased with marigolds, traditional culinary dishes, sugar skulls, and more. Visit Mexico on an escorted tour to take part in this culturally-rich experience.- Cranberry Harvest Celebration: Massachusetts, USA – A New England Fall tradition, don’t miss out on the 13th Annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration in October! Enjoy charming old-fashioned activities, demonstrations of the wet cranberry harvest and how to cook with cranberries, crafters, and more – anything and everything cranberry-related!
For deals that will take you to all of these top Fall travel destinations, call Avoya Travel at 800-753-1463.
