Top 10 Destinations to Experience Fall | EF Ultimate Break

Starting off strong with a stroll through the Bavarian region of Germany. We're talking dense foliage, medieval cities, and spooky castles to get you in the Halloween-meets-Renaissance-fair spirit. Not only is Germany gorgeous in September, but did we mention it might also be the most fun? Oktoberfest, anyone? Grab your lederhosen or dirndl and hit the Hofbräuhaus of Munich for the party of a lifetime. I’ll raise a stein to that!

What’s better than brick buildings and bike rides canal-side under autumn leaves? I don’t know, maybe throw in a stroopwaffel and a windmill or two. That’ll really set the mood. And if it gets too chilly, you can cuddle up in a cafe with a warm slice of Dutch apple pie or catch a flick for Amsterdam’s fall film festival season. Whatever you decide, they got the ultimate cozy vibes. Get a taste of that and more on our multi-destination trip to Amsterdam, Paris and London.

For all the period piece and fantasy lovers, the Scottish Highlands are calling. With rolling hills, rugged terrain, and vibrant moors, these vast landscapes are the perfect spot to channel your inner Arya as you trek Winterfell aka, Doune Castle. Or cosplay as a fellow villager escaping to Craigh Na Dun from Outlander. As you continue your journey, travel back in time and wander the labyrinth of gaslamp alleyways, cozy pubs, and haunted undergrounds of Edinburgh for an old-timey, autumn atmosphere.

Believe it or not, Italy isn’t just summertime spritzes and coastal cruises. It’s also a top tier fall destination as crowds begin to thin and temperatures drop into the low 70s. In Tuscany specifically, hills are aflame with changing leaves and vineyards begin picking their grapes and olives. Can anyone say, harvest festival? Here you can stroll the cobblestone streets without being elbow to elbow with other travelers. Or sit on a terrace with the freshest of wine and ripest of olive oil. Sounds like a relaxing year-end paradise to me.

I mean, c’mon do we really need to say why this one’s on the list? Transyl-freaking-vania. It doesn’t get more Halloween and spooky-centric than prancing around Dracula’s hometown. Although, the gothic fortresses, Baroque buildings, and mountainous villages also do the trick. Just be sure to pack plenty of turtlenecks because it might get a bit breezy—and you don’t wanna be an easy target for the vampires.

Hygge: a Danish word that describes a calm, contented mood caused by a lifestyle of enjoying life's quieter pleasures amid the daily rush. Yep, sounds like the embodiment of fall to me. Plus, Copenhagen literally looks like its pulled straight from a storybook with its colorful, dreamy buildings, fairytale-like harbors, and warm energy throughout the city. As the weather begins to cool down, grab a delicious pastry and chat it up with a Dane at the local cafe to warm up not only your body but your soul, too.

Siri, queue up some Billy Joel because Vienna waits for you so pop in those earbuds and slow down as you take it all in. The Autumn season in Vienna is jam-packed from opera shows in the literal city of music to All Saint’s Day or “Hallowmas” as the Viennese call it. Stroll gardens of orange, red, and yellow with warm chestnuts in hand. Or if you’re more into the art scene, bundle up and tour one of the many grand museums around the city like The Albertina for up-close looks at works of Monet and Picasso.

Get ready to have your jaw permanently on the FJORD because these dramatic Norwegian landscapes and scenic waters make for the ultimate autumn backdrop. When weather allows, take a hike through crisp, mountain air and stop off at cozy villages for fire-side hangs. Love apple picking? Join in on the harvest festivities as these plum, apple, and pear trees make the best fresh ciders and jellies to enjoy around the dinner table. And don’t forget to "ooh” and “ahh” on the Flåm Railway through the valley’s red and yellow painted lush hillsides while you’re at it.

Step aside cherry blossoms, there’s a vibrant new foliage blooming and Kyoto is the best area of Japan to see ’em. In Japanese culture, watching the trees change every season is a popular celebratory event. Around mid-November, fall is at its peak and you can find “Aki” themed treats at every corner and plenty of festivals welcoming the new wave of colors and flora. Walk Edo-period streets, visit tranquil temples, and of course make time to stop and smell the maple at Kiyomizu-dera, aka one of the many lookout points for autumn leaves. Bonus points if you stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan inn with tatami mat floors or take a dip in a mountain top onsen to really lock in the R and R.

‌Much like Japan, South Korea also celebrates the changing of the foliage with plenty of treats and festivals. As the temperature cools coming out of monsoon season, opt for a stroll around one of Seoul’s many parks to watch the Gingko trees turn a vibrant shade of yellow, (psst Olympic Park is a great spot for a fall-themed picnic). And make sure to stick around for Chuseok, South Korea’s version of Thanksgiving, where families come together to give thanks to their ancestors for the plentiful harvest. The smell of crisp leaves, K-Pop bops and all the Jeon savory pancakes one can eat—sign me up!

I don’t know about you, but I am definitely in the fall mood now. Where’s an apple cider donut when you need one? Whichever destination you decide, you’re guaranteed to have the time of your life. So, switch it up this year and trade your county fair hayrides and pumpkin carvings for fresh wine tastings, warm struedels, and all the Game of Thrones vibes with a year-end trip abroad.