Best Places to travel to in Autumn

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Why write a post about the best places to travel to in Autumn now?

Well, I am over summer. Sorry, I am. I have never been a big lover of it anyway, but this summer has been too hot! Now, my hands down favourite season is autumn (or fall if you’re American). I love the colours, the smells and the sights. I love crunching leaves beneath my feet. Wrapping a scarf around my neck. Wearing my favourite fingerless gloves. Curling up with a cup of tea and a scented candle burning.

So, as you can see, it makes sense to put a blog post together of the best places to travel to in Autumn. I also thought it made sense to write this post in summer to get planning for the joys of autumn to come!

Where are the best places to travel to in Autumn?

Some of the following I have done, some I have planned and some I hope to do really soon!

New England, USA

Top, absolute top, of this list. Something I have always dreamed of doing. The beautiful autumnal views, the colours, the leaves and the American’s obsession with gourds and pumpkins. Probably a fairly obvious place to start with this list, but sometimes things are clichéd for a reason.

I dream of going to New Hampshire or Maine, going for long walks in the National Parks and then finishing the day with Pumpkin pie. I would definitely try and tie this trip with Halloween. This seems to be a holiday they take seriously in America, and I am fully behind this.

Try desire to take an autumnal trip here only intensified after my best friend visited and showed me her amazing photos. Serious wanderlust jealously.

The Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada

The main crowds of the summer have left, leaving behind the most perfect scenes. I have heard of the term  ‘quaking’ where the Aspens of the forest start to turn into their autumnal hues, and make a distinct sound in the wind.

Starting in late August, before reaching its peak of autumnal (fall) beauty by late September.

There is also the great Elk migration, where the animals come down to breed – if you are lucky enough to see it.

Japan

I visited Japan in October 2014 and the beginnings of autumn were definitely in the air. While I don’t think the country had reached its peak of autumn yet, it was still absolutely beautiful and so I can safely say it is one of the best places to travel to in Autumn.

The autumn leaves are, of course, very famous in Japan and amongst the best places to see them are Kyoto and into the countryside to locations such as Nara.

Autumn in Japan is typically September to November. But starts at different times across the country, so do check your destination. It usually first begins mid September in the Hokkaido region.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

I visited Lake Bled in early October, and it was amazing!. Hence is it one of my best places to travel to in Autumn. One of the things I fully intend on doing when I am there is booking a day trip out to Lake Bled. I have longed to see the famous lake with it’s picturesque church in the middle. For me, the perfect time to see will be when the leaves are turning and the temperatures are slightly cooler.

While I think the Lake will look beautiful all year round, resplendent in spring blooms or stunning under a blanket of snow. Taking a hike around the lake at this time of year is only going to make it more special. I am just hoping for one of those perfect crisp, clear autumn days. Although even if it is misty, I like to think it will add an air of mystery to the scenery. Plus the bonus of going in October is that, again, the summer crowds will have left meaning it will be that bit quieter.

The Cotswolds

One of the most stunning areas in the U.K. I am lucky as my best friend lives there so am hoping for another cheeky opportunity to go and stay in Autumn. The best places to travel to in Autumn, doesn’t necessarily mean boarding a plane and jetting off to far away destinations. There is so much beauty to be found while staying at home.

Gorgeous chocolate box houses, beautiful surrounding countryside and delightful little market towns. There can be no better place for an autumn break. There are so many lovely little cafes and pubs in this part of the U.K. So plenty of excuses to stop off for a hot chocolate or a glass of wine after a beautiful autumnal walk. Check out some of my recommendations with this post about the Cotswolds by clicking HERE.

Provence, France

In this part of the world Autumn means harvest time. If you are a keen wine buff, or just enjoy drinking it, definitely worth considering a trip here.  Take a vineyard tour and indulge in some wine tasting. The vineyards turn into a blaze of colour; reds, ambers, bronzes and golds. There are also lots of local festivals at this time, celebrating what the locals hope will be a vintage year.

After August the crowds disappear, yet you still have beautiful scenes and still some warmer climes. Although many attractions close down from the beginning of November, so head for early Autumn.

County Galway, Ireland

I had one of the most spontaneous and lovely trips to Galway, back in October 2015 (read more about this trip here). We were blessed with perfect blues skies nearly the entire time, and yes I am aware how lucky we were.

It was the beginning of October, so the hint of autumn was in the air but it was enough. The settings of the ruined castles made even more beautiful by the hues, the Cliffs of Moher lacked the huge crowds and I would definitely recommend taking a ferry over to the Aran Islands for a day.

Plus after a blustery, bracing, autumnal day there is nothing better than a good tea and tiffin to reward yourself. We found some great stops in C. Galway. Two I highly recommend is Cupan Tae in Galway Town and The Stonecutters Kitchen right near the Cliffs of Moher.

Safari

If, crazily, you are not like me and not such a lover of autumn you might be looking a bit further afield for some sun when searching for the best place to travel to in Autumn. Then perhaps you should consider a safari. Autumn is reputedly the best time to go. In both Kenya and Tanzania it is still the end of the dry season, so you are more likely to see the animals. There are also other safari destinations which are recommended in October. Botswana – although October is the hottest month, you are likely to see herds of elephants and buffalo forming in Chobe National Park. Namibia has amazing bird watching in Etosha National Park. In Zambia September and October are the driest parts, meaning the water holes will be busy.  

I visited the Selous, Tanzania, game reserve in October and it was perfect (read more about this phenomenal experience here). There was no rainfall which is ideal for the Selous. As it is so overgrown and off road, if it gets muddy it is nearly impossible to get around. We saw so much wildlife, it was truly the most amazing time to go.

Scottish Highlands

Scotland is somewhere I absolutely need to see more of. The fact it is so nearby, and you can fly directly from Norwich (my home city) airport, makes it almost criminal how little of this part of the U.K I have seen.

So, what better time of year to go than Autumn? The colours are meant to be most dramatic in late October, with the trees turning, and this continues into November. But even above the tree line, Autumn provides some of the most stunning views.

I believe some of the most beautiful walks can be found in this part of the world, so perfect if you are after a lot of fresh air and perhaps a hiking holiday. I also love the idea of doing a bit of wildlife spotting – highland cattle and the famous stag.

So these are my best places to travel to in Autumn. And I hope to be ticking many more off soon. Are there any you would add? 

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