Autumn Getaways: Top Destinations
There’s a lot to be said for delaying your holiday until the autumn if you’re able to. As well as helping save money by not having to take your vacation during the school holidays, the later months of the year often see more obscure destinations coming into their own. If you’re interested in visiting somewhere different this autumn, then it might be wise to investigate one of these exotic destinations.
Bali, Indonesia
A recent Post Office survey put Bali top of the list in terms of long-haul destinations during the autumn and winter months, and with good reason: the average temperature in November is around 27C! If you consider hot weather to be an essential part of a holiday, then Bali is well worth further investigation. There are a whole host of spas and hotels for you to enjoy, and you can find the best Bali accommodation by conducting a more in-depth search on the web.
Galilee, Israel
Galilee is a lovely place to visit at this time of year. In fact, many people will consider it to be a more enjoyable place during the autumn than it is during the summer, simply because of the decrease in the amount of tourists. Whilst there are obvious religious reasons for the attraction of Israel, the quiet towns and villages around Galilee are worth visiting entirely on their own merit, and offer a wonderfully peaceful and relaxed experience in the run up to the festive season. If you prefer quiet and tranquillity to tourists and beaches, Galilee is well worth a visit.
Sutton, Quebec
Canada might just be the most under-rated tourist destination in the world, and Sutton could well be its most under-rated city. Offering a similar experience to New England (but without the hoard of tourists that descend on that unfortunate destination every year) Sutton’s range of leaf displays are a wonder to behold. The city also offers a lot of great dining options, and there are some wonderful hiking trails in the area for anyone who fancies a more active holiday.
Soave, Italy
Whilst Italy offers a whole range of worthy tourist destinations, during Autumn, there’s a lot to be said for avoiding the more touristy cities like Rome and heading instead to Soave, Veneto. Why? Three words: grape-harvesting season. If you’re partial to a glass of wine or two, then there’s no better time to visit this unique region. As well as the vineyards – many of which allow visitors to sample the local wines in return for help harvesting the grapes – visitors can also get stuck in to the Chocolando (the chocolate master’s festival). There are also a range of local cheese and oil markets, superb art galleries and a number of local music theatres. If you love good food, wine and culture, then Soave could be the perfect destination for you.
Kamicochi, Japan
Late autumn is probably the best time to visit Japan, especially if you’re a born-and-bred westerner. The typhoons and humid heat that comes with the summer months are usually long-gone, replaced by pleasant sun, bright blue skies and far more enjoyable temperatures. There’s no better time to start exploring some of the national parks in the Kamikochi region, many of which showcase beautiful and colourful forests of larch and beech, set against the backdrop of stunning mountain ranges. The formal gardens in the area are also a real treat for those who appreciate sights of breathtaking natural beauty. Tourists can also participate in the Jidai Matsuri festival (beginning on 22 October) in Kyoto, which is a stunning celebration of weaponry and costumes, all taken from this fascinating country’s history.
The Lake District
If you prefer your holidays to be in the UK, then there is no finer destination than the Lake District during those autumn months. Small towns like Ambleside and Elterwater offer the chance for visitors to explore the untamed, raw natural beauty of the landscape. There’s nothing more enjoyable than spending a few hours rambling around the district before returning to your warm, comfortable hotel for a hot bath, warming drink in front of an open fire all followed by a good country pub meal.
