Autumn is a fantastic time to visit Europe. The high-season crowds are gone, which means hotel prices usually drop, and the temperatures (which have been particularly hot this summer) become more comfortable. Europe’s fall season also brings with it festivals in the cities and countryside, and landscapes brimming with spectacular fall colors. And, of course, there’s a cornucopia of seasonal food and drink, as various veggies and fruits (including wine grapes) are harvested.
Want to join the fun? Here are eight of Europe’s best fall destinations and experiences.
- Rambles in The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds, about 80 miles west of London, are known for charming English villages dotted with honey-colored cottages that seem to come fresh out of a painting. From early October until mid-November, there’s a riot of color in the hedgerows along the country lanes, with trees dazzling in shades of gold, orange and red. Make sure to visit all of the region’s most beautiful villages, in particular Broadway, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Lower Slaughter.
- Foliage and Fjords
Norway’s West Coast is fjord country, and fjord fall foliage is quite a thing. Start in Bergen (Western Norway’s largest city) and then hop around to places like Geiranger, Norangsdalen Valley, Alesund, and more. Go on a hike and you’ll discover rugged mountains paired with spectacular fjords, all surrounded by changing colors. And guess what? Since the coastal areas are the warmest parts of Norway, you won’t even have to don too many layers.
- Beer in Bavaria
Bavaria for Oktoberfest. Need we say more? Okay, we will. Go to Oktoberfest and, in addition to tasting a lot of excellent beer, sample the best soft pretzels, bratwurst, and currywurst you’re likely to ever eat. During the fest, many of Bavaria’s cities and towns are in reveling mode, with locals often sporting traditional attire and playing an oompah tune or two. But, of course, the biggest celebration takes place in Munich. Do be aware, however, that Oktoberfest is a bit of a misnomer. This traditional beer festival starts the third weekend in September and runs through to the first Sunday of its namesake month.
- Harvest Season in France
For oenophiles, the Loire Valley is the place to be from September through mid-November. Thanks to the wide range of grape varieties grown here, the harvest season is long and, ahem, fruitful. The region’s vineyards and forests also put on a show, presenting the full spectrum of autumn colors, which you can enjoy while sipping a glass of the local grape. If you pass through Paris on your way there, start celebrating the harvest right away in the Montmartre neighborhood of the French capital.
