Think fall, and you think of the rustic colors and fallen leaves at various destinations that are known for this transitional season. But if you look around the map – fall is a tempting time to travel to different places that might not give you the colors but are known as famous fall destinations for other popular reasons. Hereâs our look at 10 such places…
Aspen, United States
Aspen, Colorado is known largely as a ski town, and pictured as a sort of winter wonderland.
This is definitely an accurate portrayal during the colder months of the year. But in the fall, when days can be lukewarm or pleasantly cool and the leaves are starting to turn, itâs simply a gorgeous mountain getaway. The town itself is a popular spot for luxury travelers (known for great hotels and spas), but the hikes in the surrounding mountains can be breathtaking as well.
Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey has been a little iffy on some recent lists of destinations given a great deal of political turmoil in recent years. If youâre considering a trip, you may want to at least check for updated travel advisories regarding the area. Assuming youâre free and clear, however, Istanbul is known as a terrific fall destination.
Youâll miss some of the summer crowds that tour the Mediterranean, and yet still get to enjoy some very nice, warm weather. There are also some terrific artistic exhibitions that tend to go on throughout the season.
Rome, Italy
See all of the above regarding Istanbul, and you can basically apply it to Rome as well. The weather can still be terrific and the crowds will be at least a little bit lighter, making fall the ideal time to get out and explore arguably the worldâs most fascinating city.
Plus, youâll have the opportunity to get out into Italy to see some of the beautiful vineyards and countryside, which tend to show themselves off particularly well during this season.
Brighton, UK
Parts of the UK will be chilly this time of year, but Brighton is on the southern coast, and is arguably the countryâs best beach town. On warmer fall days you may still enjoy some beach time. On mild days you might catch the local Premier League soccer team, or simply enjoy North Laine, the cityâs primary cultural center.
If itâs particularly cold, you can even take shelter in one of the several casinos around the city. The UKâs 2005 Gambling Act is best known for having directly regulated the legalization of online gaming, but itâs also enabled venues like the ones in Brighton to survive and thrive. So, with all these varied attractions, this is fantastic jack-of-all-trades destination for the fall.
Delhi, India
Diwali is not a single festival, as some make it out to be, but rather a sort of widespread holiday in India and around the world. Commonly referred to as a âfestival of lights,â itâs a beautiful event to behold in a city that really goes all out with it â which makes it a perfect excuse to make a trip Delhi and thereafter walking around the city for more Indian explorations. There youâll find perhaps the best Diwali festivities in the world, held each fall.
New York City, United States
Fall in New York is incomparable. Despite the cityâs location in the Northeast of the United States, the summer heat can be oppressive; the concrete attracts the sun, the tight quarters and bustling crowds add a sense of agitation, and the air can be stuffy. The winter, meanwhile, can be bitingly cold, particularly if thereâs snow or freezing rain, with wind being funneled through the skyscrapers.
In the fall, however, you can simply enjoy the city, with mild weather, countless activities, and some of the most beautiful city park walks in the world (donât just count on Central Park either â Brooklynâs Prospect Park can be every bit as lovely).
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is one of the most visually intriguing cities in the world â and one with a lot to offer, from water sports and hiking to nightlife and partying. The main draw is perhaps the Tabletop Mountain, which can be reached via an aerial cableway that whisks sightseers to unbeatable views, or by way of a three-hour hike from the base.
Attractions aside, however, Cape Town is another ideal fall destination in that youâll be going just before the summer arrives in the Southern Hemisphere. That means better deals on hotels and smaller crowds, and also happens to mean enjoying the drier season.
Queenstown, New Zealand
This is another Southern Hemisphere escape thatâs worth keeping in mind for a lot of the same reasons as Cape Town. But itâs particularly interesting for people in seek of a more adventurous vacation.
Queenstown is a hub for all kinds of activity, from bungee jumping to river tours on New Zealandâs famous jet boats. With the winter just easing away and weather warming up in the fall, youâll be able to get the most out of these kinds of activities.
Nice, France
The truth is that Nice is a terrific place to visit just about any time of year. But it seems a shame not to include any French cities on this list. The entire country is gorgeous during the fall, and particularly in the South along the Mediterranean, the weather can be ideal. Nice is a place to relax, enjoy the coastal views, and soak up a little bit of luxury.
Munich, Germany
There are perhaps a handful of festival-like events that truly draw an international crowd of tourists each year, and the Munich Oktoberfest celebration is one of them. Itâs actually inspired similar events in cities and even small towns all over the world. But as CNN Travel wrote, this festival has been much copied but never bettered.
Itâs a magnificent event that essentially takes over Munich every fall, and while its reputation is primarily its status as the worldâs greatest beer festival, itâs also a cultural celebration. Many will dress up in traditional German garb (think lederhosen), and the general feeling of festivity is palpable.
Shraddha,
This list of 10 places to visit this year is amazing, thanks for sharing.
I live in Delhi, India’s capital city. This city is famous for it’s heritage, architecture, cuisine and as you mentioned, the city gets more beautiful on the biggest festival of the country – Diwali. Exploring this city on foot on Diwali is perhaps the most fascinating experience in the capital.