10 Best Fall Getaways in the US and Europe

London in the fall is vivid and beautiful with its changing foliage hues. Some of the best spots to admire the colours are along the waterways and in the grand royal parks. Hyde Park and Regent’s Park are top spots, and you can head down to Richmond Park for fantasy-like sightings of antlered deer set against the golden backdrop of ancient oaks, sweet chestnuts, and cypress trees.

The Regent's Canal in Little Venice, West London, can be super romantic in the fall, best viewed on a steadily cruising waterbus. Stroll down Gloucester Road or Launceston Place to Kynance Mews for the fiery-red ivy leaves draped around a tall archway – arguably one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots. Besides the brilliant foliage, fall also brings back some of the occasional showers of spring, so bringing an umbrella on your walks is always a good idea.

Rome begins to see the last of the summer sun around September, and fall is simply one of the best seasons to visit. Longer days with little rain and cooler evenings make it a pleasant time for exploring the highlights of the city, most of which are world-famous and historically significant landmarks out in the open.

You cannot miss the top sights – the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are bright and gorgeous under the clear blue skies. And no visit is complete without a day exploring the Vatican with its museums and amazing art and architecture. A visit in fall lets you explore the beautiful piazzas and take in regal sites in all their glory, w the usual summer swarms and queues.

Fall, particularly in the early months of September and October, is a great time to visit Paris. Crowds would have dwindled yet the days still offer some good hours of sunshine. You also have the Paris Fashion Week’s fall/winter events in full swing at this time of the year.

Check out the vibrant fall colours of the great Parisienne outdoors at sites such as the Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens, as well as along the canals and around the Seine. The gorgeous Palace of Versailles and the serene grounds of Château de Fontainebleau become even more fairy-tale-like in fall – the fall colours of the deciduous and softwood trees add an ambient glow to the city’s antique galleries and architecture.

Barcelona’s beach summer throngs start to diminish in September, as fall festivities in place throughout the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia. Blue skies and the warm waters of the Mediterranean linger but cooler breezes make it all more pleasant. You’ll also get cleaner Insta-worthy shots of the magnificent Sagrada Familia church as well as the colourful street art along the old-town neighbourhood of Rambla del Raval.

For some fall foliage away from the coast, Barcelona’s leafy Ciutadella Park is one of the city’s coolest green spaces for a stroll. Meanwhile, foodies can savour Barcelona’s unique and traditional food scenes throughout the fall, ranging from seasonal food markets to a celebration of chestnuts at the Catalan festival of La Castanyada.

Lisbon’s allure endures beyond summer with its beautiful beaches and lively fall celebrations. From September, you’ll still be able enjoy the last rays of the summer sun, but with fewer crowds. Some of Europe’s finest beaches are only 20 minutes from the city centre and a few days on the south coast are still likely to be warm enough for sunbathing. To admire fall foliage in Lisbon, Gerês National Park and the Serra da Estrela highlands are your best bets for glorious nature views in golden hues.

Lisbon’s colourful fall calendar of events has music-goers enjoying the last Sunday-afternoon concerts of OutJazz. Movie buffs are in for a multitude of festivals: add MOTELx Film Festival into your September plans for horror movie-viewing delights or Doclisboa in October for documentaries. You may also want to stay longer for the Lisbon & Estoril Film Festival in November. For fashion enthusiasts, the second half of Lisboa Fashion Week, or ModaLisboa, comes into full swing in October.

New York is big, bright, and beautiful in the fall and the time of year is just right if you’re not into muggy summers or bitterly cold winters. The big city also happens to be among the most photogenic places in the north-eastern US for fall foliage.

Head down to Central Park and take in the brilliant golden hues on a stroll through The Ravine in North Woods – the scenic, 1862 Bow Bridge is an unmissable spot for romantics. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is amazing during peak fall foliage. The maples, oaks, willows, and elms at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and Owl’s Head Park burst with fall colours, with bits of the iconic Manhattan skyline in the distance. Visiting Manhattan with kids in tow? The NYC Village Halloween Parade will be a blast for all.

Las Vegas in the fall is a pleasure to explore, especially when avoiding the subtropical desert heat of summer or cold winter nights. But note that October sees the usual Halloweening crowd with wild partying such as the Sin City Halloween Ball for some memorable adult fun. The ‘world’s greatest party city’ also sees the sun setting over The Strip much earlier in the fall and through the year-end.

Besides partying and enjoying Vegas’ modern highlights in cooler weather, Nevada’s great outdoors are waiting to be explored. For the nearest fall foliage, a short drive north to the Spring Mountains or the Floyd Lamb Park brings you to lush woodlands with over 35 tree species.

Head down to downtown Anaheim in the fall for fun SoCal festivities fit for all ages. The Californian city just outside Los Angeles is already known as a top family-friendly destination, home to Disneyland Resort. But come in October and you can witness community creativity and pride through the Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade. Besides a haunted house, there are food trucks and entertainment galore.

For admiring fall foliage and the great outdoors, a trip east to Riverside is a great option. You can head to Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Gardens for self-guided fall-foliage walks, or drive south to Temecula Valley for great nature and wine country views (with culinary tours and wine tastings thrown in for good measure).

San Francisco and the Bay Area offer wonderful peak fall colours in its collection of parks and gardens. Golden Gate Park is a hit with fall-foliage-admirers, home to lush spots like the Japanese Tea Garden and the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Early October also sees the San Francisco Fleet Week, which celebrates the Bay Area’s naval traditions and features spectacular air shows and ship tours.

For a scenic drive out with some of the most spectacular shades of gold and red, head out on a trip to Tilden Park up in the hills of neighbouring Berkeley. Drive further along State Route 88 and you’ll see rows of maples and aspens in their blazing hues.

Visit Orlando in the fall, and you can enjoy all that this fun-filled destination has to offer in cooler weather without the usual summer throngs. The kids would be back in school, so you and your friends can enjoy shorter queues at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.

Expect spectacular peak fall foliage colours at Orlando’s verdant spots like the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens and Wekiwa Springs State Park. Harry P. Leu Gardens is another cool oasis. It has meandering trails through 20 hectares of beautiful flowers and centuries-old oaks. Its occasional movie nights also make it a great option for romantic couples. Note that a bit of rain is still expected in September, so an umbrella is a smart addition to your everyday carry.