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When summer sizzles out, autumn moves in. The shoulder season is a fabulous time for adventures, the crowds have all dispersed, accommodation costs have dropped, and travel replaces its hard edge with something softer. Here are our pick of the perfect cities for celebrating the change.
Prague //
The city of a thousand spires looks lovely when placed against a backdrop of autumnal foliage. Warm weather clings a little longer in Prague, inviting you to stroll across the Charles Bridge, watch the famed clock tower strike on the hour, and shop for witch puppets at the market. Even when the cold weather comes you can hide away in a host of literary cafes, dine on wild boar stew and warm up with apple strudel and beer.
Lisbon //
If you aren’t quite ready to wave farewell to summer, then Lisbon could be the perfect city. The mild Mediterranean weather is dreamy for riding the ancient tramlines through Alfama, staying up all night to watch live faro music and for gorging on cinnamon dusted custard tarts fresh from the oven. Ride the train to nearby Cascais to watch the wild surf crash and taste your last ice-cream of the year.
Florence //
Fabulously romantic, Florence is perfection for art aficionados. In the summer season you cannot move for the crowds in Florence, but come the autumn and the city can breathe again. Roasted chestnuts mingle with chimney smoke, and ducking into wine bars, world class museums, and family trattorias is the best way to embrace the change. Autumn sees the truffles bloom beneath the fallen foliage in Florence, meaning that pasta and risotto dishes get even more mouthwateringly wonderful come the fall.
Reykjavik //
After the white nights of summer and before the first fingers of frost, this is the perfect time to visit Reykjavik and its steaming volcanoes and hot springs. Autumn is also the time of wild berries blooming from the bushels, perfectly complementing the harvest meaning that feasting is certainly on the menu.
Kyoto //
Demure, elegant, and brimming with cultural charm, Tokyo may have the lights but Kyoto has the art of fine living. Famed for the cherry blossom that froths in spring, Kyoto is also a jaw dropping sight come the autumn when the leaves turn a thousand shades of red and gold. Stroll through Gion to catch sight of peeping geisha, sip sake, and tour the temples.
Oaxaca //
Mexico is always a riot of color but come October and you have the chance to witness the deliriously fascinating Day of the Dead. During the festival of Dia de los Muertos you can admire the intricate alters that spring up across the city, taste the seasonal yolk bread dipped in chocolate, and walk through the stunning cemeteries glittering with midnight candles.
Marrakech //
The city that blurs the edges between Africa and Europe doesn’t suffer from a chill making it a comfortable temperature to explore the maze-like markets and medina’s. Marrakech is a fascinating fable of a city, inviting endless wandering, plenty of haggling, and a touch of the exotic for wily adventurers. Stay in a riad for the real experience, soak up the charm of Jemaa el Fna, and take a day trip to a Berber village.
Oct 16, 2017
seven cities to escape to this autumn
When summer sizzles out, autumn moves in. The shoulder season is a fabulous time for adventures, the crowds have all dispersed, accommodation costs have dropped, and travel replaces its hard edge with something softer. Here are our pick of the perfect cities for celebrating the change.
Prague //
The city of a thousand spires looks lovely when placed against a backdrop of autumnal foliage. Warm weather clings a little longer in Prague, inviting you to stroll across the Charles Bridge, watch the famed clock tower strike on the hour, and shop for witch puppets at the market. Even when the cold weather comes you can hide away in a host of literary cafes, dine on wild boar stew and warm up with apple strudel and beer.
Lisbon //
If you aren’t quite ready to wave farewell to summer, then Lisbon could be the perfect city. The mild Mediterranean weather is dreamy for riding the ancient tramlines through Alfama, staying up all night to watch live faro music and for gorging on cinnamon dusted custard tarts fresh from the oven. Ride the train to nearby Cascais to watch the wild surf crash and taste your last ice-cream of the year.
Florence //
Fabulously romantic, Florence is perfection for art aficionados. In the summer season you cannot move for the crowds in Florence, but come the autumn and the city can breathe again. Roasted chestnuts mingle with chimney smoke, and ducking into wine bars, world class museums, and family trattorias is the best way to embrace the change. Autumn sees the truffles bloom beneath the fallen foliage in Florence, meaning that pasta and risotto dishes get even more mouthwateringly wonderful come the fall.
Reykjavik //
After the white nights of summer and before the first fingers of frost, this is the perfect time to visit Reykjavik and its steaming volcanoes and hot springs. Autumn is also the time of wild berries blooming from the bushels, perfectly complementing the harvest meaning that feasting is certainly on the menu.
Kyoto //
Demure, elegant, and brimming with cultural charm, Tokyo may have the lights but Kyoto has the art of fine living. Famed for the cherry blossom that froths in spring, Kyoto is also a jaw dropping sight come the autumn when the leaves turn a thousand shades of red and gold. Stroll through Gion to catch sight of peeping geisha, sip sake, and tour the temples.
Oaxaca //
Mexico is always a riot of color but come October and you have the chance to witness the deliriously fascinating Day of the Dead. During the festival of Dia de los Muertos you can admire the intricate alters that spring up across the city, taste the seasonal yolk bread dipped in chocolate, and walk through the stunning cemeteries glittering with midnight candles.
Marrakech //
The city that blurs the edges between Africa and Europe doesn’t suffer from a chill making it a comfortable temperature to explore the maze-like markets and medina’s. Marrakech is a fascinating fable of a city, inviting endless wandering, plenty of haggling, and a touch of the exotic for wily adventurers. Stay in a riad for the real experience, soak up the charm of Jemaa el Fna, and take a day trip to a Berber village.
