By Editorial Staff / Mesmerizing colors, mild temperatures, and fewer crowds are but some of autumn's travel bounty. Our 10 favorite fall destinations will help you make the most of this vibrant season, whether you're a leaf-peeper, a wine-taster, or a city lover, with two premier wine regions to sample; a national park to explore; a trio of states loaded with apple orchards and sublime autumnal scenery; and no fewer than six of the world's most fascinating urban centers. Indeed, it's not all about fall foliage and hay rides at this time of year, though they do figure prominently. With summer highs (and prices) coming down, the season is equally tailor-made for a big-city visit, at home and abroad.
By Editorial Staff / Mesmerizing colors, mild temperatures, and fewer crowds are but some of autumn's travel bounty. Our 10 favorite fall destinations will ... more
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1
Florence
For many, Florence ranks as the art center of the universe – it’s certainly filled with some of the greatest murals, paintings, and sculpture in Western Civilization – and no trip to Italy, or Europe, for that matter, can be deemed comprehensive unless you've spent at least a few days exploring the streets, art museums, gardens, and villas of this Northern Italian city. The center of the Italian Renaissance art movement, Michelangelo's adopted hometown, the birthplace of modern politics, the source of modern-day credit . . . . Florence is all of these and more. Enjoy it all without having to peek over the shoulders of throngs of tourists during the hot and sticky days of summer – come September and October, the crowds diverge, the days are wonderfully mild and sunny, and the gems of Florence are left to be discovered by in-the-know travelers.
2
Great Smoky Mountains
Cloaked in a shroud of blue mist, the Great Smoky Mountains are a breathtaking sight all year round but really come into their own come autumn, when the mountain foliage turns to brilliant crimsons, oranges, and purples, for a sight that’s nothing short of spectacular. The most-visited national park in the US, the Smokies boast over 500,000 acres of pristine forest and valleys laced with picturesque rivers, streams, and waterfalls. Nestled between North Carolina and Tennessee – with common entrances through Gatlinburg (TN) and Cherokee (NC) – the park hosts plenty of camping grounds and over 800 miles of hiking trails tailor-made for horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and mountain biking. Good ol’ American fun awaits at nearby Dollywood (www.dollywood.com), too, where theme-park offerings and an annual National Gospel and Harvest Celebration, complete with free country, bluegrass, and Americana concerts, draw visitors each fall.
3
Marrakesh
Exotic, enticing, red-washed Marrakesh (also known as Marrakech) is spectacular come fall, when the red-hot summer heat dissipates and the markets overflow with fresh produce grown on the slopes of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains that loom in the distance. While the Moroccan city’s colorful souks, palatial olive groves, bustling central square, and stunning Mosques and palaces are a delight to explore year round, early fall – before the onset of Ramadan, the month-long fast – is our preferred time to visit, as the city heat is bearable, hiking is still possible in the nearby mountains, and the weather remains warm enough for a quick seaside getaway
4
Munich
Pilsner, Dopplebock, Munich Helles – beer-lovers, take your pick! These lagers and more are on tap and up for pints every fall at Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest – Germany’s hallmark brew festival (which, surprisingly, starts in September). Serious beer drinkers descend in droves to chug cold Bavarian brewskys from some of the country’s famous (and high-alcohol-content producing) breweries like Hofbräuhaus. Arrive early to secure a bench seat in one of the 14 beer tents – really enormous pavilions – or to stumble around the fairgrounds and enjoy the big brass bands and theme-park rides while munching on traditional Bavarian fare like roasted chicken, sausages, wieners, and pretzels. Of course, the city has a lot more to offer those who aren’t into the beer guzzling festivities: plenty of museums, historical sites, nightclubs, and gourmet restaurants.
5
Napa Valley
You heard it through the grapevine: a tasty trip to Napa Valley is best in fall. Autumn is harvest season in Northern California wine country (the biggest wine-producing region in the US) and connoisseurs flock to the vineyards to sample forthcoming vintages. The intoxicating juices that await at over 200 wineries aren’t the only reason to visit now, mind you; the 35-mile long valley is also at its finest come fall, with precise rows of vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, and picturesque towns, upscale restaurants, posh shops, and romantic inns shrouded in autumnal hues. Thanks to the runaway success of the offbeat film Sideways, which showcased California's stunning countryside, mainly nearby Santa Barbara, you can follow Paul Giamatti's lead and do a little vineyard hopping of your own. For the best views of the sprawling vineyards and dazzling scenery, take a lofty ride on a hot-air balloon; rates start around $200 per person, and some include breakfast, lunch, or champagne.
6
New England
Nowhere is more synonymous with fall than New England, where picture-postcard images of whitewashed steeples set against flame-red leaves epitomize the very essence of the season. Whereas summer months in the region are devoted to coastal pursuits, states like Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire get their due come September, when their leafy towns, soft mountain ranges, country roads, and apple orchards beckon outdoor lovers in droves. You could easily spend a glorious fall day driving through Vermont's many covered bridges, or visiting Applecrest Farm Orchards – New Hampshire's oldest and largest orchard – or heading straight for L.L. Bean, in Freeport, Maine, the ultimate New England country store. There will be plenty of stops along the way to take in the lush seasonal scenery – and hop on a hayride or two.
7
New York
Autumn in New York has been heralded in song lyrics and movie titles for good reason – ask any New Yorker, and chances are the season is their favorite time of year in the Big Apple. This enchanting time, dominated by refreshingly crisp air and sunny skies – a welcome respite after hot, humid summer months – also finds Central Park and tree-lined neighborhoods aburst with color, and atmospheric streets piled high with fallen multi-colored leaves. It’s not all about the outdoors come fall, however, as a large part of the new season’s appeal is the reopening of the performing arts and cultural season; heavy hitters like the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera, among others, return from summer hiatus and the social calendar is once more in full swing. Of course, everybody loves a parade, and fall also welcomes the classic, quirky, over-the-top Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.
8
Provence
After the hordes of tourists leave the Provençal region of Southern France every summer, a wonderful thing happens – the charming, rustic French villages remain drenched in warm Mediterranean sun and are left to the whims of off-season travelers, who can freely explore without bumping elbows or competing for seats at outdoor cafés. Ideally situated between the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the towering French Alps, whose leaves turn varying shades of ochre and magenta at this time of year, the area is also a renowned wine region – the fourth-largest wine producer in all of France – which means the vendange (grape harvest) begins in earnest each September. One could easily pass fall days here exploring the quiet backcountry roads lined with oleanders and lavender fields, enjoying waterfront pleasure ports, sampling new wines at Châteauneuf du Pape, or admiring ancient relics like the majestic arena at Nîmes or the Papal Palace and old cobbled streets of Avignon.
9
San Francisco
Autumn is your best bet for a trek to San Francisco, as this northern California city’s warm weather and sunny skies only officially debut in September, at the start of what locals call their “Indian summer,” a delightful season that unfolds through early November each year. Whereas summer can often be chilly, with foggy days, and downright bone-chilling nights, fall brings pleasant sun-filled days, mild nights, and rare rainfall – great conditions for enjoying a stroll on the café-lined streets of North Beach, browsing the groovy shops in Haight-Ashbury, or ogling sun-bathing sea lions down by Pier 39. For those who want a view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in all of its glory, fall offers one of the few times of year when the famous Bay fog actually lifts off the bridge – yet another reason to prioritize a visit for this time of year.
10
Shanghai
China’s largest city can be oppressively hot and crowded in summer, but it's simply wonderful in late October and early November, when the weather becomes agreeably mild at the same time as the last of the crowds disappear. Nestled at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the up-and-coming port city is a hodgepodge of east and west, with an astonishing array of traditional Chinese teahouses, temples, gardens, and ancient pagodas combined with westernized country clubs, cathedrals, and distinct neighborhoods full of European architecture (where French communities once resided). Visiting fashionistas will love the trend-setting styles available in the shops along Nánjing Lù – the most popular shopping street in China. Various new theaters, cultural centers, and art museums have also sprouted up throughout the city, providing superb eye candy, while new skyscrapers, including the world’s tallest hotel, tower over the city.
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