Fall is a prime time to travel with mild weather, smaller crowds, and a change of scenery as nature prepares for winter. Here are some of this year’s top destinations whether it’s a short respite or your biggest trip of the year.

UNITED STATES – JULY 20: NOAA ship the Rudy drags sonar lines behind the boat as Coast Guard and police continue search for plane and bodies of John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and her sister, Lauren Bessette, off Martha’s Vineyard. , (Photo by Bill Turnbull/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) NY Daily News via Getty Images

1. New England

It goes without saying that New England offers some of the world’s most beautiful fall foliage cast against ancient mountains and serene lakes. You can see an array of yellows, reds, and oranges.

Vermont and New Hampshire are some of the most popular places to go thanks to their diverse variety of hardwoods. Although there are many spots across southern New England too. In particular, Connecticut is a great place and can be more convenient to reach.

2. Rocky Mountains

The Rockies are another quintessential getaway, drawing many tourists to Colorado to see the iconic golden Aspen tree. Some of the best places across the state to visit include Rocky Mountain National Park, northwest of Denver, or the 236-mile San Juan Skyway in the southwest.

Depending on your travel aspirations and budget, trekking the Canadian Rockies can be worth it. Banff and Lake Louise are the two most popular destinations.

3. Kyoto

Many overlook Kyoto as a fall destination and associate the country with its world-famous cherry blossoms, which bloom in the spring. October and November are typically the best months to visit as you can anticipate dry weather. Peak colors can extend into early December too.

Thanks to the longer foliage season compared to the cherry blossoms, you have more scheduling flexibility. The crowds should be lighter too. Depending on how soon you arrive, you may need to visit the mountains to see the foliage at a higher altitude.

4. Bavaria

Germany’s Bavaria region offers its timeless Oktoberfest experience that many travelers base their itinerary around. The Bavarian Alps also have scenic foliage and picturesque castles to enjoy.

There are also many other local festivals to partake in across southern Germany.

5. California Wine Country

Timing a trip to Napa or Sonoma Valley in the fall lets you enjoy the grape harvest season, where you can help crush, along with relishing the fall foliage and fall festivals.

The crowds can also be lighter this time of year and the weather is pleasant. You can also squeeze in a short trip to San Francisco or Sacramento for more fun and a change of scenery.

Final Thoughts

The possibilities are nearly endless for traveling across the globe for a fall trip. The autumn foliage is a compelling reason, although you may also decide to go to a tropical locale, as the weather can be milder than the summer extremes with fewer tourist congestion.