When it comes to planning holidays, many adventurers tend to skew towards summer vacations. What they don’t know, however, is that travelling in autumn is often a lot more fun and possibly offers even better views – if you just knew where to find them. But why would we say this, and where do we recommend visiting for the best autumn holiday?
Well, we’ve rounded up our resident travellers to ask about their top 5 reasons why they love travelling in autumn and even got tips on the best places to visit for the season. So, we hope you’ve fastened your seatbelts because we’re about to convince you to change your holiday plans as you know.
Here are 5 reasons to travel during autumn
Many holidaymakers would argue that there’s never a “perfect” time to travel if you’re someone who loves being on the road, and we can’t agree enough. But if you’re seeking a great season that has the best of everything that makes a holiday fantastic, then you should look no further than travelling in autumn. Here’s why.
Big crowds in the city? We don’t know them!
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We all know that summer holidays are all the rage among travellers and for a good reason. Whether you’re travelling to enjoy the sun, want to hit up some music festivals, or aligning your vacation time with the entire family, it usually makes sense to plan your travels around the summer. However, this also means you’re travelling with just about everyone else with the same idea, making your favourite destinations crowded and chaotic. From busy airports to fighting for a table to dine in at top-rated restaurants, these big crowds often make your holiday less fun.
Now imagine the same experience at the holiday spot of your dreams, but with way fewer crowds and plenty of space to breathe. This is the beauty of travelling in autumn, where the crowds have become a lot easier to handle across most holiday destinations. Of course, you’ll still have sporadic groups of smart vacationers like yourself exploring a new country, but nothing like the packs from summer.
Much of this is because of the calendars from work and school, with most educational establishments already starting new terms and more. Parents with children of school-going ages are also less likely to be out of work at this point, making it easier for other travellers to get their annual leave approved for a well-deserved break.
Budget travellers unite: It’s time to explore for less
Another favourite reason to travel in autumn is that you get to explore for less. As travel prices typically fluctuate, you’ll often find that travelling around summer or winter when more holidaymakers go on trips yield higher prices whether in airfares or hotel reservations. However, prices are usually lower during autumn as there are fewer crowds and demand for travel. This is great news for travellers like yourself who are looking to travel in autumn, as these budget-saving tips can help stretch your bank account further.
Of course, you can also make early preparations for your holidays to help keep costs low. These recommendations are helpful if you’re someone who enjoys travelling on a budget or simply wants an escapade for less. By saving on your travel fees and accommodation, you’re likely to have extra budget to treat yourself while exploring a new city or country. Want to book a table at a fancy restaurant or splurge on a spa treatment for that maximum relaxation? Well, now you can!
The weather is just right for that fashionista in you
If you’ve always dreamed of getting extra dressy with your fashion, especially with layering, then travelling in autumn will be perfect for you. Unlike summer when the weather can be too hot, autumn offers temperatures that are often “just right” for travellers. With a short peek of sunlight and the light breezes to help cool you down, you can always count on travelling in autumn to be the best time to experiment with outfits.
While many holidaymakers might also recommend travelling in winter to get all dressed up, the usual habit of having to put on a jacket when you’re outdoors and promptly removing as many layers as possible whenever you enter a restaurant or shop can be a real hassle. The thick coats that you’ll need for winter also take up plenty of precious space in your suitcase that could be better used for souvenirs. As such, there’s no denying that travelling in autumn when the weather is perfect is simply the smarter choice.
Autumn is known as the prettiest season for a good reason
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With peeks of sun with rare rain showers, autumn is often hailed as the prettiest season of the year, and we can see why. After all, this is your moment to see the leaves on the trees trade their vibrant green foliage for a bright red or orange hue, making it a magical sight that’s unforgettable once you see it with your eyes. What’s more, certain destinations may already have piles of fallen leaves that you can stroll through, creating that satisfying crunch that you can’t experience in any other season.
In fact, this is one of the reasons many travellers specifically explore their favourite destinations during autumn, as the change in season means you get to be a part of the vibe shift. Should your holiday plans include visiting Europe, you’ll get to take advantage of the longer sunlight that hits the continent without the summer heat. This means more time to explore your favourite destination at a more comfortable pace, be it indoors or outdoors.
Calling all foodies: It’s time for comfort food
Let’s face it, if there’s anything more exciting than discovering new cities and their culture, it’s the opportunity to explore a country through their flavours. And when it comes to autumn, you’ll find that the seasonal produce is often better, with soul-warming food already on most of the menus. From your favourite soups to freshly baked pies and warm drinks that you can’t stop sipping on, enjoying a meal in this season is one of the many reasons why we enjoy travelling in autumn.
For avid foodies, this is your opportunity to enjoy all the flavours without worrying about keeping to a strict diet to keep up to summer fashion. So, break out those stretchy pants and set yourself to hibernation, because travelling in autumn is just another way to say it’s time for comfort food as the seasons get colder.
Get packing: These are the 5 best places to visit in Autumn
As you can see, there are just more perks to travelling in autumn if you’re looking to plan an escapade that’s sure to satisfy. And don’t fret if you’re lost on where to go, because we’ve packed up 5 of the best places to visit in Autumn below.
Be a part of the magic in Kyoto, Japan
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Whenever travelling in autumn is mentioned, Kyoto never fails to become the dream destination. The former capital of Japan, the city offers a classic charm with stunning views to match as the season changes. Its famous bright red-orange foliage is what draws travellers into Kyoto in autumn, serving as a backdrop to the temples and city skyline throughout the season. Unlike the fleeting cherry blossom blooms that pass in just weeks, you can experience the magic of autumn for up to two months in Kyoto.
To enjoy the best views, we recommend visiting one of Kyoto’s most beautiful temples, the Ginkaku-ji. Tucked away in the Sakyo Ward, this beautiful pavilion that’s known to the locals as “Jisho-ji” or The Silver Pavilion, is a crowd favourite to enjoy the crimson red maple leaves from its temple grounds. And if you follow the trail behind the gardens, you’ll even reach a fantastic viewpoint that rewards you with a glimpse over the temple and the city.
Stroll down the streets of Beijing, China
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If there were just one thing travellers wished for when visiting Beijing in autumn, it’s that this season needs to stay for much longer so they can savour the beauty of this city a little more. And it’s easy to see why, with the lush greenery around some of the best tourist attractions turning a crisp yellow as the wind turns colder.
The Fayuan Temple in Beijing is a local favourite that few tourists may know about, but this historic building which is said to have existed since the Tang dynasty, is one of the oldest temples in the country. Though further to reach from the city centre, you’ll be trading your travel time for a crowd-free visit as you walk through the park that’s filled with gingko trees that have turned yellow and perhaps even jump into piles of crunchy fallen leaves.
For those seeking a sight to behold, be sure to visit the Badaling Great Wall and Badaling National Forest Park. Stretching over 65 hectares, plenty of locals and tourists alike will often make their way here for the first sign of autumn as the maple leaves tend to turn crimson red earlier than the rest of the country.
Have yourself a great time in Porto, Portugal
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Porto hardly comes to mind whenever you’re planning a trip to Portugal, given that many more travellers would opt for visiting Lisbon. What most holidaymakers don’t know, however, is that this coastal city holds much more charm than one would have expected, and it’s even better when you travel in autumn.
Trading direct sunlight for milder weather, Porto in autumn brings forth wafts of roasted chestnuts wherever you go. Our recommendation is to grab them freshly made from the vendors in front of São Bento train station or Marquês Square before strolling over to the many parks sprawled around the city to enjoy the seasonal views. On selected days, you may even spot some locals enjoying the free festivals where live music and plenty of dancing happens. When this happens, don’t be shy to join them to have the most memorable vacation in Porto you can ever imagine.
Experience the beauty of Hanoi, Vietnam
Did you know that Vietnam also experiences the four seasons? This fact catches many travellers by surprise, but the beauty of travelling in autumn to Hanoi is undeniably fantastic and is an experience everyone should try at least once. Set just 3 hours away from Kuala Lumpur by flight, Hanoi is perfect for anyone who wants to have a short escapade, even if it’s just for a 3-day, 2-night holiday.
Different from the sweltering heat of summer and the blistering cold of winter, Hanoi transforms into a city where the cool breeze of autumn brings forth sweet scents from seasonal blooms such as the milk flowers. They’re typically seen growing everywhere in the city, filling the skies with their little white clusters amid the busy city.
Avid photographers will also fall in love with the beauty that Hanoi has to offer during this season, as the gentle sunlight shines through the streets all day round. The old quarters of Hanoi are a favourite for street photographers and couples looking to snap a few lovely shots together, while a visit to the Hoan Kiem Lake will present you opportunities to capture locals going through their daily lives in a dreamy setup.
Immerse yourself in the celebrations in Germany
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On top of the beauty that surrounds the cities, Germany brings travelling in autumn to the next level with a variety of fun celebrations, completely matching the energy of the summer that’s just passed. One of the most popular events is definitely the annual Oktoberfest in Munich, where people from all over the world come together to feast, drink, and be merry all across the city. Munich’s top breweries shine in this autumnal celebration, although non-drinkers are also welcome to put on a traditional Lederhosen and join in the fun festival games.
But we’d also understand if you’re looking to experience a calmer autumn holiday in Germany. In that case, you’ll have to make your way to Ludwigsburg for the unbelievable pumpkin festival. Hosting over 450,000 pumpkins of 600 varieties, this annual event features sculptures (made of pumpkin, of course) and delicious homemade treats that will satisfy both your eyes and your belly. From warm pumpkin soups to local delicacies such as the ravioli-like Maultaschen, the pumpkin festival is one that you can’t miss if you’re travelling in autumn to Germany.