Top 10 easy fall weekend getaways

updated 9:30 a.m. ET Oct. 7, 2008

Mesmerizing colors, mild temperatures, and fewer crowds are but some of autumn's travel bounty. Our ten favorite fall destinations will help you make the most of this vibrant season, whether you're a leaf-peeper, a wine-taster, or a city lover, with two premier wine regions to sample; a national park to explore; a trio of states loaded with apple orchards and sublime autumnal scenery; and no fewer than six of the world's most fascinating urban centers. Indeed, it's not all about fall foliage and hay rides at this time of year, though they do figure prominently. With summer highs (and prices) coming down, the season is equally tailor-made for a big-city visit, at home and abroad.

1. Florence
For many, Florence ranks as the art center of the universe — it’s certainly filled with some of the greatest murals, paintings, and sculpture in Western Civilization — and no trip to Italy, or Europe, for that matter, can be deemed comprehensive unless you've spent at least a few days exploring the streets, art museums, gardens, and villas of this Northern Italian city. The center of the Italian Renaissance art movement, Michelangelo's adopted hometown, the birthplace of modern politics, the source of modern-day credit. ... Florence is all of these and more. Enjoy it all without having to peek over the shoulders of throngs of tourists during the hot and sticky days of summer — come September and October, the crowds diverge, the days are wonderfully mild and sunny, and the gems of Florence are left to be discovered by in-the-know travelers

2. Great Smoky Mountains
Cloaked in a shroud of blue mist, the Great Smoky Mountains are a breathtaking sight all year round but really come into their own come autumn, when the mountain foliage turns to brilliant crimsons, oranges, and purples, for a sight that’s nothing short of spectacular. The most-visited national park in the U.S., the Smokies boast over 500,000 acres of pristine forest and valleys laced with picturesque rivers, streams, and waterfalls. Nestled between North Carolina and Tennessee, the park hosts plenty of camping grounds and over 800 miles of hiking trails tailor-made for horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and mountain biking. Good ol’ American fun awaits at nearby Dollywood, too, where theme-park offerings and an annual National Gospel and Harvest Celebration, complete with free country, bluegrass, and Americana concerts, draw visitors each fall.

3. Marrakesh
Exotic, enticing, red-washed Marrakesh (also known as Marrakech) is spectacular come fall, when the red-hot summer heat dissipates and the markets overflow with fresh produce grown on the slopes of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains that loom in the distance. While the Moroccan city’s colorful souks, palatial olive groves, bustling central square, and stunning Mosques and palaces are a delight to explore year round, early fall is our preferred time to visit, as the city heat is bearable, hiking is still possible in the nearby mountains, and the weather remains warm enough for a quick seaside getaway to the nearby coastal resort town of Essaouira. Note that while Ramadan, which runs through the month of September in 2008, and from August 21 through September 19 in 2009, translates to holiday discounts, it 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.

4. Munich

More from ShermansTravel.com Top 10 fall foliage destinations Top 10 emerging wine regions Top 10 Thanksgiving destinations

Pilsner, Dopplebock, Munich Helles — beer-lovers, take your pick! These lagers and more are on tap and up for pints every fall at Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest — Germany’s hallmark brew festival (which, surprisingly, starts in September). Serious beer drinkers descend in droves to chug cold Bavarian brewskys from some of the country’s famous (and high-alcohol-content producing) breweries like Hofbräuhaus. Arrive early to secure a bench seat in one of the 14 beer tents — really enormous pavilions — or to stumble around the fairgrounds and enjoy the big brass bands and theme-park rides while munching on traditional Bavarian fare like roasted chicken, sausages, wieners, and pretzels. Of course, the city has a lot more to offer those who aren’t into the beer guzzling festivities: plenty of museums, historical sites, nightclubs, and gourmet restaurants.

5. Napa Valley
You heard it through the grapevine: a tasty trip to Napa Valley is best in fall. Autumn is harvest season in Northern California wine country (the biggest wine-producing region in the U.S.) and connoisseurs flock to the vineyards to sample forthcoming vintages. The intoxicating juices that await at over 250 wineries aren’t the only reason to visit now, mind you; the 35-mile long valley is also at its finest come fall, with precise rows of vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, and picturesque towns, upscale restaurants, posh shops, and romantic inns shrouded in autumnal hues. For the best views of the sprawling vineyards and dazzling scenery, take a lofty ride on a hot-air balloon; rates start around $200 per person, and some include breakfast, lunch, or champagne.

MORE FROM SEASONAL

Seasonal Section Front

Strippers-on-a-truck promotion halted in Vegas Las Vegas and the 21st-century Strip Vegas nightclub owners file for bankruptcy Las Vegas reports increase in visitors in Sept. Top 10 fun fall foliage adventures The biggest bet in Las Vegas A fabulous weekend in Vegas Midler announces end date for Vegas show CityCenter hits center stage Sin City revealed Seasonal Section Front   Add Seasonal headlines to your news reader: