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Forget mourning the end of summer. Autumn might just be one of the best times of year to travel in Europe – bringing fewer crowds, lower prices and destinations at their most atmospheric.
From crisp countryside walks and fiery autumn colours to cosy cafés and seasonal celebrations, these are the trips on the Euronews Travel team’s bucket list for the “-ber” months.
Saskia O’Donoghue: Why I choose Bavaria (and Malta)
If I’m honest, autumn is my absolute least favourite time of the year, with trees slowly dying and the nights drawing in. I think my hatred of the season is down to how miserable it is in England, where I call home. More recently, I’ve been trying to embrace autumn in other places which do it properly.
Last year, I visited Czechia and Nova Scotia in Canada, both of which manage to make the fall very enjoyable. This year, I’m planning to head to Bavaria when the summer crowds have thinned, and the landscape turns shades of gold, orange and deep red.
Despite my reservations about autumn, I’d happily spend my days wandering around Munich, hopping between cosy beer halls and markets, before heading south towards the mountains and, of course, the castles.
Neuschwanstein might be a little obvious as a must-see, but I’m not sure I’d ever get bored of seeing something that looks quite so spectacular surrounded by autumn colours.
Long walks followed by hearty Bavarian food, a local beverage and somewhere suitably cosy to warm up by an open fire? That sounds pretty close to the ideal autumn holiday – and it might just convert me into an autumn lover.
If I still despise it, I’ll head back to Malta, where I have happy memories of sunbathing in November and the sun setting at a non-depressing hour!
Dianne Apen-Sadler: Why I choose Latvia
As a travel journalist, I’m constantly being asked to share recommendations for my top spots in Europe, and nine times out of 10, I’m going to talk about either somewhere in the Balkans (think more Belgrade and Skopje than Budva and Split), or the Baltics.
With its picturesque – and UNESCO-listed – city centre, brilliant museums, and superb craft breweries, Latvia’s capital Riga has all the hallmarks of a great weekend break, and one that can be enjoyed equally in the peaks of summer or the depths of winter (or, for the purposes of this article, in autumn).
But the place I’m most excited about visiting during leaf-peeping season is Sigulda, Latvia’s “autumn capital”, which lies around 45 minutes outside of Riga by train.
Come October, the banks of the Gauja River are transformed into shades of orange – which also just happens to be my favourite colour! – and the Sigulda Cable Car and Turaida Castle offer the best vantage points.
Who needs New England when we have spots like this right here in Europe?
Mike Starling: Why I choose Scotland
I don’t want to come across like I’m a stay-at-home Brit, but as someone who’s been based outside of the UK for many a year now, it’s always nice to go back to the motherland. However, even though I am English, I would say forget London, the Cotswolds and the Lake District and head “north of the border”.
Scotland is lovely at any time of the year, but in autumn it’s perfect – especially if you’re heading outdoors. Of course there may be the odd rain shower (or five), but the autumnal colours of the trees, glens and lochs make any hike, walk or outdoor adventure truly worth it. Then there’s the golf… truly spectacular.
Also, once you’ve finished 18 holes or “bagged a Munro” – reaching the summit of a Scottish mountain that is at least 3,000 feet (914.4 metres) high – you can then enjoy the country’s warm hospitality. Literally. Think log-burning fires in pubs, hearty food and a dram of whisky. What’s not to like?
Fakhriya M. Suleiman: Why I choose Monaco
Monaco’s luxury appeal has always been attractive to me. But as a principality on the French Riviera that only spans two square kilometres, the summer crowds? Less so. However, shoulder season travel to an autumnal Monaco? Now, that I wouldn’t turn down.
I’ve heard so much about exploring the city-state leisurely on foot. I picture myself taking in the futuristic architecture of Mareterra or the vibrant colours in Fontvieille’s Princess Grace Rose Garden.
While I’m always game for new experiences (such as visiting Monaco for the first time…) admittedly, and paradoxically, I’m also a creature of comfort. I know I’d feel right at home travelling from Doha’s shopping paradise to Monte Carlo’s. My walking adventure will continue to the shopping promenade, where I’d work up an appetite before sampling Monte Carlo’s gastronomy scene.
The two-Michelin-starred Blue Bay by Chef Marcel Ravin offers guests an experience between Caribbean and Mediterranean cuisine, alongside a sea view. All that’s missing is a plane ticket.
Maya Abu Hajleh: Why I choose Italy
Italy is somewhere I’ve wanted to visit. I love the idea of walking around the streets, trying different food, sitting in little cafés and not really having to rush anywhere.
I’ve always liked the thought of living somewhere small and cosy, where you know the people around you and everything feels a bit slower. Maybe I’d find it boring after a while, but I actually want to experience it myself before deciding that.
As someone who’s lived most of their life in the Gulf, I’m used to hot weather and seeing a lot of desert and dry surroundings. That’s why I’d love to experience something completely different, like Italy in the autumn, with all the trees changing colour, the mountains, the lakes, and little towns.
I think one of my favourite things would honestly be walking through Italy’s beautiful streets and stepping on all those dry, coloured leaves after they’ve fallen. I think I’d really enjoy that slower kind of life, even if it’s just for a little while.
Rebecca Ann Hughes: Why I choose England
It’s been an intense summer in northern Italy, where I live. We’ve been more in heatwaves than out of them; long stretches of +35C degrees and 95% humidity. So I’ve found myself unexpectedly longing for what I’d normally consider a very mundane holiday idea – walking in the British countryside.
Europe has no shortage of spectacular hikes and natural parks, but I want that unmistakable environment of Britain’s forests: mizzling rain, the peaty, damp smell of fallen leaves underfoot, glimpses of scrabbling squirrels, and the warm country pub.
I’m lucky to have family living in two great spots of the English countryside (given I’m from Scotland, I’m heading in the opposite direction to editor Mike for a change of scenery!). My aunt lives in the Lake District, the ideal terrain for lung-busting hikes up mountain peaks or meanders around lakeside paths.
My uncle lives down south in the New Forest, where I’m envisaging delving into dark woods or striding across open heathlands – and making friends with the wild ponies that roam freely.
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