While summer is universally recognised as the best time to get out there and experience new things, places and people, we’d like to submit, for your consideration…autumn. Travel in autumn opens up a whole new range of experiences and a set of sights to see; it’s a unique experience you won’t get at any other time of the year. This is our case for travelling in autumn and how you can turn your trip into a blissful experience, you’ll want to recreate before it’s even over.
Why Travel in Autumn?
Before you start going on about the length of the day and the maximum temperature dropping faster than Tesla stocks, hear us out. Autumn is a shoulder season, meaning the number of travellers is not as high as it is near the festive season or in the summer months. While the temperatures are falling, the cold of winter hasn’t set in yet, allowing for cute, layered outfits and a reasonably sized suitcase. There’s the added benefit of autumn being a “slower” season. Instead of the FOMO that summer brings and the constant feeling of rushing around needing to do as much as possible, autumn encourages slow trips full of strolls, leisurely cups of tea or glasses of wine and calm introspection. Some places get a burst of travel when the leaves have all gone up in flaming reds, oranges and yellows. Others around holidays like Halloween and, if you’re travelling internationally, Thanksgiving, but if you’re careful about the dates you choose and the locations you visit, you’ll have the autumn experience of a lifetime.
Where to Travel This Autumn and Why
Bavaria, Germany
There are all the obvious reasons that people travel to Bavaria, like the convenience of well-run major cities (including very well-appointed airports which cater to both private jet flights and commercial ones), gorgeous mountain towns and stunning forests, but there are a few things that autumn highlights and a few seasonal events that are simply unmissable. Visiting Bavaria in autumn allows you to enjoy the world-famous Oktoberfest in Munich. Fun, friends, delicious food and more types of beer than you could imagine! There’s also the Wustmarkt Wine Festival in Bad Dürkheim, if you’re more of a wine person. As the harvest comes in, new wines are made and old ones are opened, there’s a feeling of camaraderie and a palpable sense of enjoyment wherever you look. Wherever you go, though, the season is a jackpot for foodies who enjoy hearty comfort food. Wild game is a favourite in autumn, and many flavourful, rich dishes are produced in different parts of Bavaria. The region is also home to several gorgeous, fairytale-ready castles that are at their most beautiful when draped in the dramatic colours of autumn foliage.
How to make it a blissful trip: Treat yourself to private jet travel. It will enhance the experience by starting the holiday from the second you board your flight instead of the second you check into your hotel. Smaller planes may also get you closer to terminal destinations that are more remote, like many of the charming mountain towns dotted around the region.
Seoul, South Korea
Autumn softens Seoul, an already gorgeous place, into a mellow blend of hard city lines, vivid autumn colours, warm coats and golden afternoon lights against grey skies. The ginkgo trees are one of the main attractions when visiting Korea in general, but the ones that line the paths in Namsan Park create a bright, golden passage to one of the city’s most wonderful sightseeing locations, Seoul Tower. If you prefer a slightly calmer setting, take a few days and step away from the city to locations like Bykhansan Mountain, where you can see unspoiled nature and the ancient fortress walls and ruins. The Jumong Festival at Gyeongbokgung Palace will share traditional archery ceremonies and give visitors a window into a rich, ancient culture with much to offer.
How to make it a blissful trip: Allow yourself a little luxury by booking a day at the Sulwhasoo Spa, where you can enjoy a selection of traditional Korean herbal medicine-based treatments in a chic, high-end setting. Travel and changing seasons can be hard on the body, and you’ll be able to enjoy your visit better if you’re refreshed and relaxed.
St Moritz, the Swiss Alps
While the Swiss Alps are well known for winter wonderland getaways, they’re often neglected as an autumn escape, which provides autumn travellers with a chance to experience them without the winter crowds. San Moritz in the autumn transforms into a hive of activity in winter, but in autumn it’s still just a sweet, sleepy little village. The green and gold hills surrounding the hamlet beckon to visitors who like a little outdoor exercise, as many hikes (at varying difficulty levels) wind through the forests. Before the snow begins to fall in earnest, visitors have a chance to experience the culinary side of the Alps as the last harvest is brought in from local farms. There are many festivals, lovely wine tours and tasting events, and the local cuisine shines with fragrant, rich dishes and treats. Aside from the season’s bounty, the tourist trade is much slower in autumn. Hence, attending events like the British Classic Car Meeting or the Engadin Festival (musical performances) is much more tranquil and enjoyable.
How to make it a blissful trip: Treat yourself to a stay at the Kempinski Hotel and have a spa day at the Alpine Spa Sauna. Alpine wellness is special, and the sauna is a tradition in these parts that you don’t want to miss out on. The facilities at the Kempinski are second to none.
Autumn Awaits
Embrace the cosy feeling of hygge (a Swedish tradition that emphasises all things cosy, comfy and languorously enjoyable) and plan your autumn trip—changing cityscapes, fiery landscapes, and a restorative trip that you’ll be dying to take again.