The shoulder months are always a great time to travel. The weather isn’t as extreme as summer, the prices are generally lower, and the attractions are often less crowded. With travel plans for the spring shoulder months now dashed by travel restrictions, we turn our attention to the enticing Fall weather. Here are our recommendations for the 5 Best Places to dream about visiting this Fall:

#1 France

The romance of this already enchanting country reaches it’s height as the weather cools and the leaves begin to change.  Walk through one of Paris’ legendary parks (like the Jardin du Luxemburg) under a canopy of brilliant Fall foliage. Then move to a cozy café and enjoy a delectable chocolat chaud as you watch the leaves cascade down onto tree-lined boulevards. The cool weather outside means it’s the perfect time to enjoy Paris and its many museums and art galleries.

If you’re looking to leave the city behind, France offers the beachy Riviera or the mountainous Pyrenees. You’ll discover wineries in harvest, amazing gastronomy, history and tradition. Vineyards and forests display the full spectrum of Fall colors in the countryside. Enjoy these idyllic spots while sipping a glass of local wine.

#2 Germany

Germany offers a huge variety of parks and public gardens in which to view the Fall foliage. Add to that impressive castles ( Neuschwanstein & Burg-Eltz) and medieval bridges around every corner and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. Any city you choose is perfect in the Fall. October brings the Festival of Lights in Berlin. Dresden is great to explore on foot without the exhausting heat of summer. Hannover offers world-class shopping next to its picturesque parks. Or you can take a River Cruise on the Danube to see even more!

Germany is for those who want to mix history with fairytales and still see amazing Fall colors. What’s more, typical German food such as sausage, stews, soups, and beers are ideal for warming up on crisp Autumn day.

#3 Oregon

If you want to stay closer to home, still see brilliant Fall colors but avoid the New England leaf-peeper crowds, then head to Oregon. It’s the perfect place to explore the great outdoors and fill your lungs with fresh crisp air. Oregon offers hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, horseback riding and all kinds of other outdoor activities. Warm up after your days outside at any of the award-winning local craft breweries.

A huge variety of scenery will enliven your trip to the Pacific Northwest. Volcanoes, cinder cones, and lava-flows leap out against the brightly colored leaves along the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. Cascading waters lead you along leaf-strewn paths in the Columbia River Gorge. Or enjoy the vineyards, orchards and vegetable patches along the Hood River County Fruit Loop.

#4 Croatia

Looking to hang onto the tendrils of summer while still getting a taste of Fall colors? Look no further than Croatia. Croatia offers up great history and culture at a relaxing pace. Walk the medieval city walls and Old Town of Dubrovnik without the crowds and the heat. Or enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the Dalmatian Islands while indulging in great seafood and local wines.

The temperatures stay mild through October and the sun-soaked sea is usually still warm enough to swim. But you can also find a decent display of Fall colors at the Plitvice Lakes National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park features 16 lakes connected by waterfalls and surrounded by colorful foliage. The weather is optimal for hiking along the easy paths and you can even take a ride around the larger lakes when you tire of walking. Croatia has a little bit of everything for everyone. History, culture, Fall foliage, nightlife, and beaches.

#5 Greece

Escape the cool Fall weather entirely with a trip to Greece. Here you won’t find many Autumn colors, but you can enjoy the warm sunshine and water temperature in the mid-70s! Greece is a great place to extend your summer vacation into September when the crowds disappear. Enjoy the white-washed, blue-roofed buildings, labyrinthine streets and picturesque alleys of rugged Greek Islands like Santorini or Paros. Relax at water-front spas, enjoy incredible seafood and soak up the local history and culture.

The water temperature is still warm and the seas are clear making Fall a great time to go diving or snorkeling. The days are not too hot making archeological ruins more comfortable to explore. Enjoy a less crowded, more temperate Greece without losing out on any of the summer fun.

Now is the perfect time to start planning and researching your future adventures. If we’ve sparked some excitement about where you could be in the cooler shoulder months send us an email so we can start planning your next ‘escape’!