This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income. Click here to read our affiliate policy.
There’s something about fall that makes travel extra special. The air cools, the light softens, and summer crowds fade away. It’s the season that makes road trips irresistible and city breaks suddenly more atmospheric.
This list pulls together some of the best fall vacations worldwide: fiery foliage in New England, temples in Japan, castles in Europe, and big-sky landscapes in North America. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, a girls’ trip, or just itching for a new autumn escape, these are true bucket list fall
Vermont, USA
Vermont is as close as it gets to the fall postcard. Hillsides blaze with reds and oranges, and every bend in the road seems to reveal another white-steepled church. Stowe and Woodstock are classic stops, but the real joy comes from detouring down quiet backroads and finding your own views.
Pull over at roadside stands for cider donuts, wander through covered bridges, or hike into the Green Mountains for a quieter slice of foliage. Vermont isn’t just one of the best fall trips in the US; it’s the kind of place that defines the season.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is extraordinary in autumn. Crimson leaves frame temples, gardens glow in late afternoon light, and the Philosopher’s Path feels like walking through a painting. The city moves at a slower pace than Tokyo, which gives fall visits an even more timeless feel.
From Kiyomizu-dera to hidden gardens in Arashiyama, Kyoto’s beauty deepens with every turn. A bowl of steaming ramen or a matcha tea house break rounds it all off perfectly.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled in autumn feels calm and unhurried. The island church in the middle of the lake is surrounded by trees turning gold and red, with the Julian Alps standing quietly in the background. With summer visitors gone, the walking path around the lake is peaceful, and climbing up to Bled Castle gives sweeping views without the crowds.
It’s also an easy base for exploring more of Slovenia’s fall scenery. Day trips into Triglav National Park bring mountain hikes and alpine villages, while the wine country to the south is in the middle of harvest. Evenings are best spent enjoying a local tipple by the water as the light fades.
Bavaria, Germany
In Bavaria, fall is festival season and leaf-peeping season rolled into one. Munich’s beer tents are buzzing, while beyond the city, castles like Neuschwanstein sit framed by autumn forest. The Romantic Road winds past half-timbered towns that feel even cozier in cool weather.
Alpine hikes are crisp and clear, with trails leading to mountain huts serving hot stew and beer. Bavaria packs a lot into autumn: history, scenery, and the kind of warmth that makes you want to linger.
Great Smoky Mountains, USA
The Smokies are unbeatable for fall scenery. From Clingmans Dome, ridges roll out in every shade of orange and red. The Blue Ridge Parkway turns into one of the best fall road trips in the US, with every overlook worth a stop.
Cades Cove is perfect for a slow drive and wildlife spotting, while trails like Alum Cave mix big views with just enough challenge. It’s the kind of place where you plan a day or two and end up wishing you stayed a week.
Tuscany, Italy
Fall in Tuscany means harvest time. Grapes are being picked, truffles are discovered, festivals spill into piazzas, and the countryside is washed in that warm golden light that photographers love. Siena, San Gimignano, and Montepulciano all come alive with food and wine events.
Long lunches under vine-covered terraces, winding roads through Chianti, and afternoons wandering medieval streets make autumn one of the most rewarding times to be here.
Maine, USA
Maine offers the best of both worlds: dramatic rocky coastlines and forests ablaze with color. Acadia National Park is the jewel, where mountain hikes drop down to harbors dotted with fishing boats.
It’s also a place to eat your way through fall. Lobster rolls, clam chowder, and fresh apple pie taste even better with chilly salt air on your face.
Banff National Park, Canada
Banff in autumn gives nature a chance to show off its best. Moraine Lake and Lake Louise glow turquoise against golden trees, and the mountain air is crisp without being harsh. Wildlife is active, trails are quieter, and the scenery is some of the best in the world.
Drive the Icefields Parkway toward Jasper, and it’s one postcard view after another. Fall here feels short but spectacular, a season you catch just at the right moment.
Seoraksan National Park, South Korea
Seoraksan is South Korea’s answer to New England in the fall. The granite peaks are sharp and rugged, but in October they’re softened by forests of blazing red and yellow. Trails climb past waterfalls, temples tucked into valleys, and ridgelines with big views across the park.
The most popular hike is Ulsanbawi Rock, a steep but rewarding climb that looks out over both the mountains and the East Sea. Even if you stick to the cable car for easier views, Seoraksan is one of Asia’s most impressive fall landscapes, full of color and atmosphere.
Loire Valley, France
The Loire Valley is fairy-tale France with a fall twist. Châteaux like Chambord and Chenonceau rise from forests glowing in red and orange, and the river winds past vineyards alive with harvest.
It’s a place for slow travel: long lunches, quiet drives, and evenings in small towns where the local wine is poured straight from the vineyard next door.
Yosemite National Park, USA
Yosemite is dramatic any time, but fall gives it space to breathe. Granite cliffs rise above valleys dotted with golden oaks and dogwoods, and the trails feel calmer once summer fades.
From Glacier Point at sunset to quiet walks to Mirror Lake, Yosemite’s scale is hard to beat. Autumn makes it easier to see it at your own pace.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague was made for autumn. The city’s spires rise through misty mornings, while Letná Park and PetĹ™Ăn Hill turn golden and red. The Vltava reflects bridges lined with copper leaves, and evenings are perfect for hearty Czech food in old taverns.
It’s a walking city, and in the fall every route feels cinematic with cobblestones slick with rain, street musicians under Charles Bridge, and castle courtyards quieter than you’d expect.
Scotland, UK
Scotland in autumn is all atmosphere. Castles rise out of golden glens, lochs mirror copper hillsides, and roads wind past sheep-dotted fields. The light is softer, the air fresher, and the landscapes somehow even more dramatic.
From Edinburgh’s cobbled closes to remote Highland passes, it’s a country that seems tailor-made for fall road trips. Add in whisky by the fire after a day outside, and it’s hard to imagine a better autumn escape.
Looking for more fall travel inspo? Check out these top posts…
Scotland in Autumn: Ultimate Travel Guide
Autumn in Italy: Ultimate Travel Guide
Autumn in Europe: 28 Stunning Destinations for Fall
What to Pack for Europe This Fall: From Paris to Prague
Paris in the Fall: Ultimate Travel Guide
Fall Travel in Europe: Weather, Wardrobe & Where to Go
Love it? Pin it!
