Autumn is a wonderful time to travel, no matter what your destination may be. The air is crisp, the landscapes dramatic and weather at its most pleasant. Scott Fitzgerald once said that “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall…” We wholeheartedly agree!

Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere falls in September, October and November, while in the Southern Hemisphere it’s March through May. In most destinations these months are synonymous with shoulder season travel – a season outside of high or low seasons. This means it also brings the benefits of less tourists and, therefore, lower travel costs!

For all of the reasons above (and many more), we’ve pinpointed 10 of the most glorious destinations to travel to in fall…

1. Rome, Italy

Autumn in Italy means mild temperatures (September – December: high 20°C, low 10°C). However, ‘mild’ is not how you would describe the sights as you explore… Think more along the lines of ‘breathtaking’!

2. Wilderswil, Switzerland

From September to December the colours appear on the trees in Switzerland, rearranging the landscape in a kaleidoscope of colours. While the view may be warming up, the temperatures tend to stay relatively cool (high 8°C; low 15°C).

3. Dublin, Ireland

Follow the autumn breeze through the city of Dublin to local pubs and sightseeing destinations that brim with true Irish craic! What temperatures can you expect as you explore during September, October and November? Highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C.

4. St Petersburg, Russia

The colourful architecture of Russia is accentuated by the orange, yellow and red hues of the autumn leaves.  The temperature doesn’t drop too much either – expect highs of 15°C and lows of around 8°C.

5. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Autumn is the best time to see the Big 5 and the rest of the wild animals roaming the famed Kruger National Park! The grass is shorter during the months of March to May, which makes it much easier to spot the animals. Also, the temperatures cool down to refreshing lows of 16°C, with highs of 23°C. 

6. Istanbul, Turkey

Autumn in Turkey? Rainfall, perfect weather to enjoy the hearty local cuisine (rather than in the sweltering heat of summer) and bushels of freshly picked cherries! While the coast offers great weather till late in September, most of the country cools down to a low of 13°C and high of 25°C.

7. Eilat, Israel

From late September to November the daytime temperatures are nothing short of pleasant, and simply perfect for swimming in the Red Sea! Expect daytime temperatures of between 15°C and 25°C.

8. Wadi Rum, Jordan

It’s the best time to explore the wetlands, deserts and ancient Bible sites! Daytime temperatures are still nice and warm, while the nights can be colder (high of 32°C, low of 8°C).

9. Cairo, Egypt

Egypt is known to only have two seasons: the hot season between May and October, and the cool season from October to May that brings about milder temperatures. Temperatures could still reach a high of 30°C.

10. London, United Kingdom

You can see London at its most beautiful from September to November. The parks and gardens bost autumn foliage that is a sight to behold. The locals soak up the last bit of sun or settle in late afternoon for some tea and hot scones. With a high of 19°C and low of 6°C, it’s a great time to discover The Big Smoke before winter well and truly arrives.  

These are just a few of the many wonderful autumn destinations you can explore – be sure to have that camera ready to capture all the colours!