Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts

2008/10/18

Fall Inn : Hotels with Amazing Fall Color Views

by T+L

Everyone knows where to find America’s boldest fall colors: the crimson of a maple leaf in Vermont, an oak’s burnished orange in the Smoky Mountains, the brilliant gold of an aspen in, well, you know. But what’s the fun of a great leaf-viewing locale when you’re holed up in a hotel overlooking a parking lot?

This annual metamorphosis happens so fast that when the leaves hit their stride, you want to maximize your time with a winning view. That means staying in a place where you can wake to a sweeping swath of color right outside your window, take morning coffee with the light glinting off the reds and yellows, stroll the grounds kicking leaves, and enjoy a late-afternoon cocktail as shadows begin to blanket nature’s palette.

Unearthing such autumnal accommodations, however, is no easy task: Hoteliers bought up the best vantage points years ago, so your selection of full-color properties is limited. (The upside? In some cases, staying in an historic hotel.) But we did the legwork for you, finding great spots across the country where you can fully embrace the classic fall experience while relaxing in luxury. Plus, we’ll tell you when to go and which rooms offer the best views.

Happy peeping.

Equinox Golf Resort & Spa
Manchester Village, Vermont

The Setting
The maples and oaks around this 2,300-acre resort have been drawing visitors since 1769. Reds and oranges fill the grounds and climb up the surrounding Green and Taconic mountain ranges.

Rooms To Book
You’ll find color outside most of the 195 rooms, but your best bet is to grab a room on the 3rd- or 4th-floor south wing, facing the mountains and their maples and oaks.

Bonus Views
Sit out on the back deck in a rocking chair, or in an Adirondack chair on the lawn facing Mt. Equinox.

Get Outside
Hike the 800-acre preserve behind the hotel with marked trails, or take a fly-fishing lesson on the private trout pond.

The Season
Mid-September through Mid-October.
fall rates start at $449.

Keswick Hall
Keswick, Virginia

The Setting
This Orient-Express hotel is set at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, close to Monticello, surrounded by a color explosion courtesy of maples, oaks, and birches.

Rooms To Book
Since only some rooms offer views of the countryside, stick to the State Rooms and Balcony State Rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors, with their large windows and terraces overlooking colorful oaks, dogwoods, hickories, and poplars. Thomas Jefferson never had it so good.

Bonus Views
Sit down to a meal in Fossett’s Restaurant, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, or have a drink out on Fossett’s terrace.

Get Outside
Play a round of golf surrounded by the colors, or try the off-site horseback riding. For a true bird’s-eye view, though, take off in a hot-air balloon.

The Season
October, into November.
fall rates start at $325 midweek, $395 weekend.

The Balsams
Dixville Notch, New Hampshire


The Setting
The resort’s lakeside spot in the Northern White Mountains offers maple reds and beech yellows in surround-sound, along with color-heavy views of Vermont’s Mt. Monadnock and Quebec’s Mt. Hereford.

Rooms To Book
Since the resort sits at the base of a mountain, the best color views are on the opposite side, overlooking the lake.

Bonus Views
Grab drinks on the veranda, then ask for a lakeside table in the dining room.

Get Outside
The resort runs guided hikes, or take out a mountain bike along the trails—rentals are complimentary.

The Season
The northern clime makes this season short: mid-September to early October.
fall rates from $138.

Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado

The Setting
At the base of Aspen Mountain, this perennial award-winner gives you a prime spot to watch the gold (and a smattering of reds and oranges) cascading down the slope.

Rooms To Book
Those on the top (4th) floor have the best views of Aspen Mountain; choose one of the three suites and you’ll score a balcony.

Bonus Views
Have a drink on the patio outside Montagna restaurant (from Master Sommelier Richard Bett’s award-winning wine list); the Tavern also serves up golden opportunities.

Get Outside
Go hiking or biking; this is Colorado, after all, and the mountain’s right outside the door.

The Season
Autumn in the Rockies can be unpredictable (and short-lived); October’s usually a safe bet.
fall rates from $360 for a mountain-view room.

Inn on Biltmore Estate
Asheville, North Carolina

The Setting
Inspired by the mansion it shares grounds with, the inn is surrounded by sycamores, hickories, oaks, and pines and looks out onto the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Rooms To Book
While most of the 204 rooms have views over the 8,000-acre grounds, the nine suites bring the mountains into view and maximize the color quotient.

Bonus Views
Breakfast and dinner in the Dining Room are practically mandatory for color viewing; in between, have drinks on the Veranda.

Get Outside
A menu of activities gets you into the color, including biking, rafting, horseback riding, flyfishing, and the inn’s Land Rover Driving Experience.

The Season
Color usually begins to show in late Sept.; the long season runs through early November.
fall rates start at $299.

Topnotch Resort and Spa
Stowe, Vermont

The Setting
A European country manor style imbues this 120-acre resort in the Green Mountains, just two miles from Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest mountain.

Rooms To Book
You’ll find the best Green Mountain views on the second and third floors, especially from the Champlain Suite and the Governor’s Suite. Better still? The on-property resort homes, with large terraces and balconies.

Bonus Views
Norma’s Restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows and offers spectacular vistas of Mt. Mansfield and the surrounding mountains. Or borrow a pashmina and dine outside under a heat lamp.

Get Outside
Soak in the colors while fly-fishing and horseback riding.

The Season
End of September-end of October.
fall rates start at $385.

Columbia Gorge Hotel
Hood River, Oregon

The Setting
This luxury hotel sits 200 feet above Hood River and 45 feet from the edge of the Columbia Gorge, where Oregon ash and vine maples paint a canvas around tightly packed firs and pines.

Rooms To Book
Corner rooms on the hotel’s river side give you two walls of windows to take in the Pacific majesty.

Bonus Views
Have coffee out on the terrace before sitting down to breakfast (and lunch and dinner) in the window-laden dining room.

Get Outside
Drive the colorful “Fruit Loop” up the Hood River Valley.

The Season
Mid-September through Mid-October.
fall rates from $169.

Mount Washington Resort
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

The Setting
In the shadow of its 6,288-foot namesake mountain, this resort was built specifically to take advantage of the White Mountain National Forest view.

Rooms To Book
Ask for the front side (or sunset view) to get a close-up of a different mountain—Mt. Rosebrook—and its maple, oak, beech, and poplar. The resort is currently renovating all its guest rooms, so ask for availability of a new room.

Bonus Views
Pull up a wicker chair and have a drink on the veranda surrounded by colors, followed by dinner in the renovated dining room with its big picture windows.

Get Outside
Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, golf, and scenic chairlift rides all make for colorful excursions.

The Season
Mid-September to mid-October.
fall rates from $189 per person, (includes breakfast and dinner).

2008/10/06

Autumn in the City - 7 Parks

Fall has blown in. Here are seven city parks where you can watch the season turn over a new leaf, in living color.

Think you have to road-trip to the countryside to see fall leaves changing color? Think again: Some of the best places to spot those gorgeous hues are in urban areas -- yes, right in the heart of them -- around the country. Your local city park can be a great leaf-viewing venue. Here are some of the major ones around the country, and some surprises.

Boston: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden



When most Americans think fall foliage, they immediately think of the Northeast, which arguably has the country's most dramatic fall colors. Long drives up the Maine coast, through New Hampshire and Vermont typically dominate the agenda.

But what about the cities? Steal away to the country's oldest park, Boston Common, or its neighbor, the nation's first public botanical garden, Boston Public Garden, downtown around Oct. 15. The week after that is when the trees should be at their peak (there are over 600 varieties in the Public Garden). The famed Swan Boats may not be in operation (they stop running in late September), but there's plenty of leaf-peeping to be done from land along the Public Garden's pathways.

New York City: Central Park



The scene in "When Harry Met Sally" where the title characters discuss their recurring sex dreams is as famous for its backdrop as its content: Autumn in Manhattan is almost synonymous with the words "Central" and "Park." The color here is unparalleled in the city: Planted by park designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux with fall in mind, the maples, oaks, elms and more create a rich panorama of reds, oranges and golds. (Brooklyn's Prospect Park, also designed by Olmsted and Vaux, merits honorable mention for its fall color.) Some of the park's best leaf-viewing destinations include the reservoir, the Literary Walk (on the east edge near 66th Street) and Belvedere Castle (mid-park at 79th Street), which provides a panoramic view of color from its top. (More top-down views of the park can be gleaned from Rockefeller Center's Top of the Rock observation deck or from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's rooftop sculpture court.) For smaller crowds, meander to the very northern tip from West 100th Street past the pool, working your way up to Harlem Meer. Note: Leaf color can peak in the 843-acre park anywhere between the last weeks of October and the last weeks of November, depending on the climate.

Washington, D.C.: Rock Creek Park



When the leaves peak in mid- to late October in D.C., Washingtonians head out U.S. 66 to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, one of the area's most famed locations for fall color. But they could avoid what can become a parking lot, staying inside the Beltway to view color in Rock Creek Park, the 12-mile expanse of green space that extends from the Potomac River to the Maryland border. You can hike the elevated Ridge Trail for a view of trees below or follow the trail next to the creek itself, where trees often form a canopy over the water. You can tour by bike, too; Ross Drive is less crowded than the trail following the creek and has great color as well. Driving is also an option: Rock Creek Parkway cuts through the park, turning into Beach Drive, and makes for great scenic driving when it's not rush hour. For an out-of-park aerial view, try a walk across the Taft Bridge on Connecticut Avenue, where you'll overlook a huge expanse of the park's trees below.

St. Louis: Forest Park

Bigger by 500 acres than Cental Park, St. Louis' Forest Park is an oasis of trees, and like its Manhattan counterpart, it's where people go to play. It's home to the city's zoo, several museums and tons of trees, so it's also a hot spot for fall foliage viewing. To make the most of your leaf-peeping experience, get the self-guided walk map at the park's visitor center (located in the historic Lindell Pavilion), which will allow you to look at 90 different varieties (many of them marked by a tour sign naming the tree type) around the Jewel Box conservatory, the grounds of which are also the city's arboretum.

Kansas City: Loose Park

It's not Kansas City's largest park--that honor goes to Swope Park, which is also chock-full of leaves--but Loose Park is the most popular for looking at leaves. The site of a Civil War battle as well as the Wrapped Walkways, one of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's famous environmental art installations (a la Central Park's The Gates), this park in the fall is a spectacular setting in one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, and its equally mature trees attract people from all corners. Foliage here typically peaks in late October, but the entire month can be beautiful.

Sacramento: William Land Park

Sacramento's claim to fame, as big as the politics and the Governator it hosts, has long been that there are more trees per capita here than anywhere else in the world, except Paris (though in recent years, that claim has been challenged). That puts the unlikely state of California on the map for some fall foliage, with Sacramento (the "City of Trees," as it's known) front and center. Head first to William Land Park. In the park itself and in the surrounding neighborhood of the same name, you'll find leaves at their California finest. (This is by no means a Northeastern fall, but it's some of the best foliage you'll find on the Left Coast.) Also sporting color is McKinley Park, in the equally old and tree-laden neighborhood of East Sac, where you'll find gingkos, elms and black locusts turning yellow, dawn redwoods that burn bronze, and scarlet oaks that turn, well, scarlet in autumn.

San Francisco: Golden Gate Park



In many ways, Golden Gate Park is the City by the Bay's answer to Central Park: It covers slightly more ground (a little more than 1,000 acres), it's also laid out as a long rectangle spanning the city, and it provides a playground of green space for an otherwise cement-filled city. It's nowhere near as filled with fall color as Central Park, but that doesn't mean you can't find any. Sycamores throughout the park turn gold in October. For the highest concentration of color, head to the Japanese Tea Garden (nearest the Ninth Avenue entrance). In October the maples turn a shade of orangey-red that nearly matches the pagodas they're tucked among. The gingkos turn yellow in mid-November.

2008/09/15

7 Fun Fall Getaways

Late September and early October coincide with the annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival in Custer State Park, in the Black Hills region of South Dakota.

Boston really comes into its own in autumn, as students return to class (and local pubs), baseball fans head to Fenway for the last games of the season, and brilliant foliage frames the city’s buildings, parks, and gardens.

Durango, Colorado's proximity to Mesa Verde National Park's fascinating pueblo cliff dwellings makes it easy to combine historic and outdoor pursuits in one single fall trip.

Reconnect with the family in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where old-fashioned activities like buggy rides and harvest festivals abound under the brilliant foliage of Lancaster County.

Kayaking alongside frisky seals, navigating the famously twisting “17-mile Drive,” and getting your groove on at an annual jazz fest are three big reasons to visit Monterey in fall.

While summer attracts most of San Antonio’s crowds, fall clears out the masses—and the humidity—allowing prime access to the city's bustling River Walk, top-rated museums, and atmospheric historic districts.

Avoid the herds of oenophiles rushing to California’s wine country to partake of the annual harvest crush and head 750 miles north instead, to the 60 wineries of Washington’s Walla Walla region.

33 Sweet Spots for Fall

Autumn is often the best time to beat the crowds and score vacation savings — choosing where to go is the hard part.

In life, being in the right place at the right time can come down to serendipity, but in travel, it is almost always the result of good planning. To avoid crowds and inflated prices, we recommend the period between high and low seasons when the weather is fine, places are still open and happy to welcome travelers, and you can explore a destination at your own pace. We call this magical time and space continuum the Sweet Spot and make it a point to round up the best of them for you each season. We've covered the 40 best places to go this fall and grouped them by region.

Africa

Fall Forecast: Across northern Africa, fall's cooler weather moderates the region’s typically desert-like climate, making a paddle down the Nile or a hike in the Atlas Mountains an attractive proposition. The safari season is winding down in southern Africa as the rainy season begins in late October.

1. EGYPT

The ancient history and romantic fables of the Pyramids of Giza and the Nile River have lured visitors to Egypt for centuries. The arid climate, hospitable people, and ongoing archeological discoveries keep the curious coming back for more.

Why Go In Fall: Hotels offer more reasonable rates and temperatures can be bearable during these transitional months. In Cairo, temperatures average in the 80s and fewer tourists spell shorter lines. Avoid Ramadan (exact dates vary) — during this 40-day Muslim festival many shops, restaurants, and sites are closed.

2. TUNISIA

Blessed with a sunny climate, miles of Mediterranean beaches, Saharan oases, ancient walled cities and superb Roman-era archaeological sites, Tunisia — just 93 miles south of Sicily — offers visitors both modern resort facilities and easy access to its rich historical legacy.

Why Go In Fall: Visitors to the northern African city of Carthage are met with temperate weather, perfect for strolls among remarkable Roman ruins. This is also the best time to journey south along the Sahara. The sun shines most of the time, the sea is generally warm enough for a dip, and prices are below their summer highs.

Asia & Middle East

Fall Forecast: Having been thoroughly saturated by summer monsoons, India is radiant in the fall, and a majority of tourists plan their visits accordingly. Rain and humidity haven’t loosened their grasp on the rest of Southeast Asia though, which is bursting at the seams with exotic orchids and off -season deals.Fall colors and clear skies make for an ideal mid-autumn stroll through some of Japan’s many traditional gardens. In the Middle East, temperatures can be moderately tolerable in the Gulf, but it comes down to luck. Hotel and air rates are generally lower at this time.

3. OSAKA

A vast, modern city, Osaka is the gateway to many of Japan’s most important tourist sites, including Kyoto, Nara, and Mount Koya. The city reflects its people: outgoing, food-loving, shopping enthusiasts, and business-oriented.

Why Go In Fall: Autumn is a great time to visit Osaka as prices, not to mention humidity and temperatures, go down (though September is the peak season for typhoons).

4. SEOUL

If cities have personalities, Seoul is a type-A, on steroids. An insatiable appetite for money, a chaotic "me-first" street life, and a hurry-hurry approach to everything makes visiting the South Korean capital an entertaining, if occasionally jolting, adventure.

Why Go In Fall: Technically the “off” season, fall weather is much nicer, colored leaves abound, and hotel discounts abound. Warning: during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) roads and airports teem with travelers.

5. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Comprised of seven states, the UAE is rapidly transforming the Middle East by pulling focus away from distressing regional conflicts and emphasizing commerce and tourism. Unassuming Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, is one of the region’s hidden gems with its sense of tradition, clear blue skies, year-round sunshine, and laidback lifestyle, while Dubai has emerged as the center of all things glamorous, replete with the world’s first “seven-star” hotel.

Why Go In Fall: Wedged in between the sweltering summer and the popular winter, fall visitors take advantage of Ramadan holiday discounts, filling hotels and attractions. It’s the best time to visit cities like Abu Dhabi, when temperatures average in the 90s and the skies are a perfect blue. Note that Ramadan, which generally begins mid-September or early October, can be uncomfortable for non-observant travelers as it is illegal to drink, smoke, or eat in public until the “break fast” (iftar) ceremony. Some restaurants operate during the day behind curtains or tinted windows.

Australia & Pacific

Fall Forecast: Pack a light jacket for a cooler-than-usual experience Down Under, but save on pre-peak airfare and miss out on the crowds during the southern hemisphere’s spring; temperatures in the mid-60s are comfortable, even if they don’t exactly provide for beach-going weather. September and October are one of the most beautiful times to visit springtime New Zealand. Get to Tahiti before cyclone season begins in late November.

6. MELBOURNE

Australia’s second largest city, Melbourne has long lived in the shadow of glitzy Sydney. But scratch the surface and you’ll discover a delightfully decadent city that exudes soul and sophistication. From the finest galleries and museums, innovative theatre, and wonderful Victorian architecture to top sports venues, leafy parks, and accessible beaches, Victoria’s capital city is a smorgasbord for the senses.

Why Go In Fall: The best time to visit Melbourne is during their spring (September to November). Days tend to be clearer and the extremes of heat and cold are kept at bay, as are high room rates. Fall sees the city’s parks turn various shades of amber and makes its mark with the horse race that stops the nation — the Melbourne Cup (held the first Tuesday in November).

7. NEW ZEALAND

For a small island nation, New Zealand sure packs a lot of punch — particularly in the scenery department. Blessed with unique and varied geography, it compensates for its relatively short human history with outdoorsy, adrenaline-pumping thrills. Its biggest and most cosmopolitan city, Auckland, is blessed by beautiful geography — two magnificent harbors, an island-studded gulf, and the intriguing remnants of fifty volcanoes.

Why Go In Fall: Spring in New Zealand, particularly the South Island, brings a gleeful palette of flowers and fresh meadow grass. Prices in popular winter resorts like Queenstown have dipped nicely, although pesky random snowfalls can occur throughout September. Temperatures are moderate and you're likely to strike some showery days, but the sun is bound to make an appearance. Don’t plan on swimming during these months.

8. SYDNEY

Think San Francisco and Rio de Janeiro mixed in with a heaping dose of small-town Aussie flavor. Sydney's distinctly individual appeal lies in its fantastic oceanside setting, laid-back attitude, stellar beaches, beautiful people, and eternally sunny subtropical climate.

Why Go In Fall: With its temperate subtropical climate Sydney is popular practically year-round, but fall sees slightly fewer visitors than high season. Temperatures average in the mid-60s.

9. TAHITI

Tahiti, with its breathtaking blue-green water, sparkling white-sand beaches, and charming overwater bungalows, is one of French Polynesia's intoxicating 118 islands and atolls that are spread out over an area the size of Western Europe.

Why Go In Fall: The month of November falls between the high (dry) and low (wet) seasons on the island, and makes for a rare window of good weather, smaller crowds, and better hotel rates.

Caribbean & Mexico

Fall Forecast: As hurricane season begins, northern Caribbean hot spots will be battening down the hatches until late November. Look farther south to Aruba or west to the Pacific Coast of Mexico for more reliable beach weather, often at a discount.

10. ACAPULCO

One of the Mexican Riviera's most fabled hotspots, Acapulco is deeply ingrained in the sun seeker's subconscious as a pilgrimage-worthy destination. Some say the resort has had its heyday, but like a fallen celeb pushing back into the spotlight, the "Queen of Mexican Beach Resorts" is having a comeback. Come to enjoy nonstop nightlife, striking beaches, and reasonably-priced vacation packages at revamped hotels and resorts along the Pacific coast.

Why Go In Fall: You'll get the best bang for your buck on hotel rates in November, just following the rainy and humid season, when the landscapes are lush and the crowds are few.

11. ARUBA

Aruba’s allure is obvious: Iridescent waters loaded with sunken wrecks, sugary beaches along its shores, and a remarkably arid outback to draw visitors inland. Add to this its pleasant year-long weather, cooling trade winds, and easy flight times and it’s easy to see why Aruba is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations.

Why Go In Fall: You’ll get the best bang for your buck booking a package in early fall, when the weather remains glorious and pre- and post-season crowds are non-existent.

12. BARBADOS

Pear-shaped Barbados, long popular with fishermen and royalty, offers glittering beaches, equally sparkling resorts, and striking seascapes lined with hulking boulders and cave-strewn cliffs. From afternoon tea and cricket to landscaped gardens and preserved Victorian architecture, the island’s English heritage remains pronounced.

Why Go In Fall: While hurricanes disrupt the western waters of the Caribbean, this southeastern island remains relatively calm, with average daytime temperatures in the 80s and cooler nights. Rent a staffed beachfront villa at savings of up to 40 percent.

13. CURACAO

Sophisticated Curacao offers visitors a unique taste of cosmopolitan Dutch living in a Caribbean setting. The stunning capital, Willemstad, evokes 17th-century Amsterdam, but adds brilliant colors to its gingerbread roofs and wedding-cake trims; the lot is so remarkable that it's earned a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. With some 55 different cultures living here, you're more likely to find international cuisine and culture of the sort you'd expect of New York.

Why Go In Fall: Well below the hurricane belt, this tiny remote Caribbean island dodges the devastating storms that plague the rest of the Caribbean. However, the island does experience its rainy reason after October, but rains fall mostly in the evenings.

14. PUERTO VALLARTA

Flanked by jungle-covered slopes and fronted by the Bay of Banderas, colorful Puerto Vallarta — PV to the locals — has a romantic past ("Night of the Iguana" by Tennessee Williams was filmed here) and a reputation as one of Mexico’s most fabled resort towns. This enchanting colonial town fronting beautiful Pacific Coast beaches is an easy and affordable escape.

Why Go In Fall: To get the most for your money, and fewer crowds to boot, we recommend visiting in October. Weather is pleasant (high 70s to low 80s), establishments are open, and discounts are available at most hotels.

Central & South America

Fall Forecast: South America’s spring is ambiguous, blending indecisive rains and fluctuating temperatures with little consistency. Nevertheless, the Brazilian Amazon beckons to those who like their rain forests drier than usual, and Chilean skiers savor their final runs as diminishing winter snows give way to Patagonian hiking bliss. Avoid Central America travel, with the rainy and hurricane season well underway.

15. ARGENTINA

Home to tango, gauchos, and fútbol aficionados galore, Argentina rewards travelers to the Southern Cone with stunning scenery, sophisticated cities, and epicurean delights, all at surprising values. A sexy Latin vibe permeates the architecturally handsome Buenos Aires, South America's answer to Paris.

Why Go In Fall: Fall is a lovely time to visit larger cities like the flourishing Argentine capital at Buenos Aires, with reasonable hotel rates all across the city. In seasonal tourism areas, expect fewer crowds due to diminished opportunities for activities like skiing.

16. BRAZIL

Boasting wonders as diverse as the Amazonian rainforest, Iguazu Falls (on the border with Argentina), the beaches of Bahia, and sultry Rio, Brazil is both geographically stunning and culturally fascinating. This melting pot of European and African immigrants and indigenous South Americans is the birthplace of Bossa Nova, caipirinhas, and the samba, not to mention the world’s wildest Carnaval celebration.

Why Go In Fall: October and November bring temperate spring weather and fewer tourists in the cities. In the Amazon, the best time for fishing is during the last months of the dry season, generally September and October, when water levels are lower. Expect thinner crowds and temperatures in the 70s and 80s at Iguazu Falls.

17. CHILE

This skinny slice of South America will surprise the unsuspecting with its flourishing capital at Santiago, quaint villages, and striking geographic extremes — deserts, rainforests, glacial peaks — full of natural beauty and outdoor adventure opportunities (including the tail end of the ski season).

Why Go In Fall: Pleasant temperatures and lighter tourist crowds make September and October an ideal time to embark on the lake district and central regions. Note that November is the start of high season across the country.

18. ECUADOR

Ecuador’s fascinating interior has long been overshadowed by the Galápagos Islands, with their attention-hogging archipelago. While package tours there threaten Darwin’s muses, the mainland has been humbly readying itself for the ball. With the revitalized colonial capital of Quito and distinctive retreats in the Amazon and the Andes, not to mention the Inca ruins of Ingapirca, it promises not to stay under the radar for long.

Why Go In Fall: In between the worst of the rainy season and the crowds of the dry season (September to November), you’ll find reasonable weather and great deals in Quito, the highlands, and along the coast.

Europe

Fall Forecast: Each autumn, this continent takes a collective breath as swarms of summer tourists return home, leaving only the wisest of the bunch to partake in fringe-season price reductions, more moderate temperatures, and pre-winter festivals. The coasts of Spain, Italy, and Greece are still churning out beach weather at bargain rates. In Eastern Europe, days can be chilly, but the off-peak rates help compensate. Transatlantic airfare typically falls between 25 and 40 percent below its summer high.

19. BALEARIC ISLANDS

This Spanish island chain includes Ibiza, which since the ‘60s has been attracting the hip and the trendy, from flower children dancing beneath the stars and sleeping on the beaches to the young elite of London, Berlin, and Milan mobbing the top discos and staying at chic, boutique hotels. Majorca (also spelled Mallorca), meanwhile, has long been a favored year-round destination for northern Europeans seeking sun and sea.

Why Go In Fall: Unless you’re looking to party hearty, you’ll get the most for your money in fall. The weather is warm and usually sunny (temps average about 70 degrees), and the islands practically crowd-free.

20. BELGIUM

With Dutch-influenced Flanders to the north and French-flaired Wallonia to the south, Belgium is a unique blend of languages and cultures brimming with historic charm, haute couture, and heavenly cuisine — including its world-famous mussels, fries, waffles, chocolate, and beer. Brussels is noted for its friendly folk, incredible edibles, and position as political capital of modern Europe, while Flemish-flavored Antwerp has come into its own as a center for fashion, art, and nightlife.

Why Go In Fall: While sometimes overcast and/or rainy, Belgium’s fall days are generally mild, travel costs run lower than in summer, and manageable crowds make for optimum visiting.

21. BERLIN

Reminders of this once-divided city’s turbulent history coexist with ultra-modern glass and steel skyscrapers and reinvented urban centers. Packed with cultural treasures, hip clubs, cutting-edge dining options, and no less than three opera houses, Berlin is the Continent’s first true 21st-century metropolis.

Why Go In Fall: While late autumn can be cold, September and early October is usually marked by mild temperatures and an added bonus of colorful foliage. Package deals abound, while crowds and lines at attractions are refreshingly few.

22. CROATIA

Croatia’s tourism board touts its stunning coast and 1,000+ islands as “the Mediterranean as it once was” and, save some overdeveloped areas, it really is. Paired with little-explored inland regions and an affordable, non-euro-based economy, this delightful Eastern European country is one of Europe’s hottest destinations. Dubrovnik boasts stunning seaside fortifications, a Mediterranean beach vibe, fresh seafood, and immaculate offshore islands.

Why Go In Fall: In early fall, Dubrovnik sits comfortably in the 80s, with surrounding beaches gloriously empty and the water temps in the 70s through late October. Hotels offer good shoulder-season rates — just go before the northeastern “bura” wind whips up in November.

23. GREEK ISLANDS

Greece has some 6,000 islands and islets, of which only 227 are inhabited. The seven island groups — the Ionian, Argo-Saronic, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Sporades and Evvia, Northeast Aegean, and Crete — are marked by ancient monuments and ruins, beautiful scenery, and lively beach resorts.

Why Go In Fall: Unless nightlife is your goal, this is the best time to visit. Temps averaging about 70 degrees are reasonable, the sea is warm enough for swimming through September, and the beaches are not overcrowded. Hotels, restaurants, and cultural attractions are open, yet devoid of crowds.

24. ITALY

The land of art, sun, and a thousand different types of pasta, Italy is packed with a variety of sights, sounds, and tastes that can keep even the most experienced traveler busy for months. Considering one can hop between the timeworn ruins of ancient Rome, the Renaissance glories of Florence, and the fashion-forward emporiums of Milan, the question really isn’t where to go, it’s which century to "visit."

Why Go In Fall: It’s by far the best time to go to Italy for value, weather, and crowd control. Throughout the country you’ll experience wine festivals and skip out on the oppressive heat and mobs that mark the high summer season. The Mediterranean remains warm into early fall for beach-goers along the Italian Riviera. Autumn foliage adds a scenic touch to Italian lake areas.

25. MONTENEGRO

This little gem of a country on the southern Adriatic Sea — just coming into its own after the turbulent breakup of the former Yugoslavia — boasts an interior of soaring Alpine mountains, plus 200 miles of coastline. Tiny Montenegro is an exhilarating destination for lovers of the great outdoors, with four national parks and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The medieval fortress city of Kotor, on the lip of southern Europe’s largest fjord, is a picturesque home base for coastal and mountain day trips.

Why Go In Fall: Beach season lingers through October and temperatures hover around the mid-60s. With more elbow room than during the summer, autumn is an ideal time to explore the region’s churches and ruins. Hotels, restaurants, and cultural attractions are open, yet not overrun.

26. ROMANIA

Romania has come a long way since 1989, when the people gave their iron-fisted dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu, the boot. Today, ask anyone and they’ll tell you that Romania is on the rise: the outdoor cafés are buzzing, the restaurants are serving creatively prepared local cuisine as well as global fusion dishes, and recognizable shops like Hugo Boss and Escada are sprouting up. Of course, historic Romania maintains its appeal as well; give a nod to the fictitious Count Dracula as you submerge yourself in cobblestone streets, castles, and monasteries.

Why Go In Fall: Reasonable temperatures, fewer crowds, and better hotel deals make fall the best time to explore Romania’s major points of interest. The folklore of Count Dracula can make Transylvania a particularly appealing destination during Halloween, when special tours celebrate Bram Stoker's famous novel.

United States & Canada

Fall Forecast: Fall nudges the northern part of the U.S. and most of southern Canada into their climactic foliage-filled primes. It’s the Atlantic’s hurricane season, leaving Florida relatively empty of visitors (unless El Niño manages to keep away hurricanes and tropical storms) but teeming with deals. Out West, hot, dry Santa Ana winds and the harvest season mark the beginning of fall, while many Western ski resorts offer pre-Christmas deals in November. Early cold spells in November can put a damper on Canadian and northern U.S. travel.

27. ATLANTA

Like the blossoms that brighten this Southern belle's landscape every spring, Atlanta is a perennial rejuvenator, infusing her classic charm with modern style and welcoming visitors to her unique blend of history, dining, shopping, and adventure. Its grade-A Southern hospitality, historical roots (MLK was born here), modern-day attractions, and up-and-coming art scene are the city's major draws.

Why Go In Fall: With the summer heat gone, fall in Atlanta makes for enjoyable sightseeing, while the build up to the holiday season brings in throngs of shoppers from across the South.

28. CAPE COD, NANTUCKET & MARTHA'S VINEYARD

Visitors flock to Cape Cod and its neighboring islands for its quaint villages, hundreds of miles of beaches, clam shacks, and, of course, "sand dunes and salty air." This charming New England region draws family and East Coast weekenders.

Why Go In Fall: As the summer crowds retreat, this quintessential slice of New England becomes much easier to navigate. Empty expanses of sand and mild, perfect-for-a-walk-on-the-beach temperatures pervade. Take advantage of historic B&Bs that offer rooms at half off in October.

29. COLORADO

Colorado’s storied past as a territory of the Wild West is still evident in its mining towns, rustic dude ranches, Rocky Mountain switchbacks, and pioneer tradition. There is, however, more to the state than awe-inspiring mountain landscapes and cow herders. It’s also a land of thriving cosmopolitan towns like Denver, luxurious ski resorts, and outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and rafting.

Why Go In Fall: Fall weather is pleasant for sightseeing in Denver and accompanied by blazing fall foliage in the surrounding mountains. By November, the slopes are just beginning to open, and ski resorts often tout promotional packages that precede the holidays.

30. DISNEYLAND

Inaugurated under the Southern California sun in the summer of 1955, The Happiest Place on Earth is still the country’s premier family destination. Head here for the sunshine and to please the kids (or the kid inside)...nothing makes ‘em smile like Mickey and the gang.

Why Go In Fall: With the season kicking off a back-to-school frenzy, weekday visits pretty much ensure that you’ll walk on to most rides with little or no lines. Special Halloween events add to the festive atmosphere.

31. THE HAMPTONS

Fifty miles of seashore with powder-fine sand, secluded bays, and colonial villages make The Hamptons a playground for beach lovers, glamour seekers, culture hounds, and the rich and famous. Dabble in Hollywood-esque glitz and glamour along the shore at pricey luxe hotels and reservations-required restaurants.

Why Go In Fall: Early fall weather, usually a balmy 60 degrees, is still warm enough for swimming, making the hotel discounts a real bargain. Beaches are nearly empty as families are city-bound for the school year.

32. HAWAII

Few places satisfy the urge for a carefree tropical vacation like the islands of Hawaii. Indeed, the 50th state’s stunning beauty is no secret — nowhere else in the U.S. boasts the combination of white-sand beaches, lush green landscapes, pounding surf, and rich culture of these far-flung Pacific islands. But what’s less well known, especially for first-time visitors, is that there’s a lot more to the state than Oahu’s Waikiki Beach. In fact, of the eight islands in Hawaii, six are primed for tourists, each with different reasons to visit, from ecotourism and active volcanoes to beaches and nightlife.

Why Go In Fall: You’ll find less people (and more available accommodations) before the holiday rush. Powerful northern swells hit the islands in October, so it’s the perfect season for surfing. Long days offer extra sunshine to catch that one last wave of the day or extend a romantic sunset stroll into evening. Approaching winter rains temper Hawaii’s otherwise oppressive summer humidity, and rooms are up to 30 percent less than peak-season rates.

33. LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas celebrated its centennial in 2005 — not that it needed an excuse to party. “Sin City,” “Lost Wages,” “The City That Never Sleeps” — call it what you will — this Nevada desert city will awe you from the moment you fly over its glittering expanse to the day you leave. But believe it or not, there's more to Las Vegas than debauchery, including a world-class restaurant scene and fantastic shopping.

Why Go In Fall: Barring no special events, you’ll get the best bang for your buck by visiting in October and early November, months that offer mild temperatures and generally better rates.