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40 sweet spots for fall
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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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. France
France is a montage of thousands of sights, dishes, and tiny, charming towns. It’s little wonder that this profoundly culturally rich country ranks as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Wine regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy boast harvest festivals, sightseeing conditions are optimum in cities like Paris and Lyon, and weather conditions early on in the season are still suitable for swimming along the French Riviera.
Why go in fall: Hotel and airfare prices are lower, temperatures are generally pleasant, and the crowds are refreshingly absent. September and October bring grape, olive harvests, and busy cultural calendars. Note that some wineries are closed during this time. If swimming is an objective, best to come in September for a dip along the French Riviera.
28. 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.
29. 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.
30.
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.
31. 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.
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