Throughout the year, the rhythms of nature offer many reasons to travel a little differently – but there’s something magical about the final few months, when the Southern Hemisphere spring and Northern Hemisphere autumn reveal colourful landscapes, captivating festivals and tranquil escapes that reward the traveller who slows down to take it all in. Here’s where to go before the year comes to an end.
Algarve, Portugal
September is a lovely time to discover Portugal’s popular southern coast. The summer crowds have decamped, the daytime temperatures hover in the mid-to-high 20s (°C), and the famously chilly Atlantic remains comparatively warm, having absorbed months of sunshine and with fewer northerly winds to draw cold water to the surface. By mid-month, must-see spots such as Ponta da Piedade, Praia do Camilo and the Benagil sea cave can be explored and enjoyed at a more relaxed pace.
There’s still plenty going on, however, including a host of worthwhile events. Feira da Dieta Mediterrânica, for one, celebrates Mediterranean heritage through food, music, crafts and workshops, while the nature-focused Algarve Nature Fest hosts free outdoor activities to bring visitors closer to the region’s ecosystems. At the same time, falling prices for flights and accommodations provide even more reason to kick back and enjoy.
Our Tip: For a taste of the Algarve’s quieter side without the peak-season price tag, check out our round-up of beautiful hotels and villas that pair luxury with serenity – and value.
Nara, Japan
By September, Nara has begun to ease out of the humid heat of summer, and these milder conditions, along with fewer visitors before peak autumn foliage, make for some of the best walking and cycling weather of the year. By late September, the grounds of Hannyaji Temple begin to fill with pink and white cosmos flowers, a display that continues into early October, while in Nara Park, visitors can get a closer view of the sacred deer roaming the grounds.
That same sense of calm extends to the city’s temples and shrines: at Todai-ji, there’s more room to take in the nearly 15-metre Great Buddha, while at Kasuga Taisha, lantern-lined paths invite you to wander at your own pace.
Our Tip: Get hands-on with the sake-brewing process at Nakatani Sake Brewery, a family-run brewery dating back to 1853, where the experience includes a sake-making walk-through and a chance to work with the rice and koji, and ends with – what else? – a tasting.
Park City, Utah, United States
The aspen trees are turning gold across the peaks of the Wasatch Range just as Park City’s fall festival calendar gets going. The Deer Valley Mountain Beer Festival opens the season with local brews and live music against a breathtaking backdrop, followed in October by the Park City Wine Festival, where wine tastings and culinary events give the whole town a gourmet glow.
Even pets can join the fun when, later in the season, Main Street hosts the hilarious Howl-O-Ween costume party reserved for man’s best friend. Between festivals, there’s plenty of time to get out on the trails – now clear of the hordes of summer hikers – to catch the changing foliage at its most awe-inspiring.
Our Tip: For a different leaf-peeping perspective, take to the skies in a hot-air balloon. As you rise above the city, you’ll get sweeping 360-degree views of the colourful trees, quaint town and surrounding mountains; it’s a memorable way to make the most of the season.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
The sky over Chiang Mai lights up in November as the famed Yi Peng and Loi Krathong illumination festivals fill the city with parades, music and glowing lantern celebrations around Tha Phae Gate and along the waterways.
Away from the festivities, the arrival of the cool season makes it one of the most comfortable times to explore the city’s temples, from Wat Chiang Mai to Wat Lok Moli, and peruse the iconic Sunday Night Market near Tha Phae. It’s also an excellent month for getting up into the mountains of Doi Inthanon National Park in search of crisper air, lush jungle flora and sweeping views over the rice paddies below.
Our Tip: Head to Jing Jai Central, a creative district just five minutes from Tha Phae Gate, and experience its three distinctive zones: Jing Jai Village blends traditional hand-carved architecture with cute cafés and greenery; Jing Jai Market brings together local produce, crafts and food; and Jing Jai Gallery showcases rotating exhibitions by Thai artists.
Lake District, Chile
For a taste of spring, head south to Chile’s Lake District, where November brings longer days, verdant vistas and snow-capped volcanic peaks reflected in deep blue lakes. Around Pucón, trails leading through Huerquehue National Park are inundated with spring flowers, while the snowmelt-fed Trancura River lures rafting enthusiasts to its exhilarating rapids. But there’s plenty of time to slow down, too: visit the natural hot springs in Villarrica or the charming lakeside towns of Puerto Varas and Frutillar, where life marches to an unhurried cadence. Add in stunning waterfalls, forest-clad hills, German-influenced architecture and delicious local cuisine, and November makes a strong case for exploring this southern corner of the world.
Our Tip: Seek out Salto El Claro, a 90-metre waterfall tucked into native forest just outside Pucón. A short trail leads to fantastic viewpoints over the falls and surrounding landscape, which is especially luxuriant in spring.
Geilo, Norway
The ski season in this resort town in south-central Norway, about three hours from Oslo, really gets going around December, offering groomed alpine runs on both sides of the valley and cross-country tracks radiating out from town. Ideal for families and groups with differing skill levels, Geilo offers plenty of pistes gentle enough for first-timers, along with more challenging terrain for confident skiers – plus dog sledging, snowshoeing, ice climbing and other winter activities to round out the itinerary. It also remains something of an underrated choice, meaning you can generally slice up the slopes without dealing with the kinds of crowds found at better-known Norwegian resorts.
When the festive season gets underway, Geilo lights up – literally. The annual Winter Opening and Christmas Market welcomes visitors with traditional stalls, seasonal treats, handmade crafts, baked goods and mulled wine in a winter wonderland atmosphere. And getting there is part of the appeal: Geilo sits right along the rail route between Oslo and Bergen, which is frequently named among the most scenic train journeys in the world.
Our Tip: Book a table at Hallingstuene. The rose-hued restaurant run by celebrity chef Frode Aga specialises in regional flavours served in a cosy, fireside ambience that feels especially fitting after a long, exhausting day on the slopes.
