7 Destinations You Should Not Visit This Fall According To Travel Experts

Fall trip—two phrases that conjure photos of crisp air, vibrant foliage, or a last-ditch effort to absorb some solar. However let’s be actual: the hole between the journey you see on Instagram and the truth on the bottom may be huge, particularly in autumn.

Because the skilled workforce of editors and writers right here at Travel Off Path, we have seen all of it. We all know the frustration of arriving in a “dream” vacation spot solely to seek out the height colours have already handed, the climate is depressing, or the “shoulder season” is simply as crowded as summer time. This is not about avoiding these great locations endlessly; it is about avoiding them after they’re more likely to disappoint.

So, drawing on our collective data and present journey developments, listed below are 7 locations we’re advising warning on for this fall. We have additionally included a wise various for every, as a result of the purpose is to journey smarter, not more durable.

1. New England (Vermont, New Hampshire)

The Drawback: The “You Missed It” Lure

These basic, fiery pink New England landscapes? They arrive with a notoriously brief and fickle expiration date. Vacationers plan a visit for mid-to-late October anticipating peak foliage, however the actuality is that in lots of the most well-known areas, the colourful colours have already come and gone, abandoning the grey and barren “stick season.” You are paying the best costs of the yr for a visit with a excessive likelihood of disappointment in case your timing is not good right down to the day.

As a substitute, take into account: The Blue Ridge Parkway, VA/NC. As a result of it stretches for a whole bunch of miles with various elevations, the foliage season right here is for much longer and extra forgiving, providing you with a much better likelihood to catch the height colours with out the nail-biting gamble.

2. Rome & Florence, Italy

The Drawback: The “Shoulder Season That Is not”

For years, the savvy traveler’s mantra was to go to Italy’s iconic cities within the fall to keep away from the summer time crowds. The issue? Everybody caught on. The truth in 2025 is that October is the brand new August. These cities are nonetheless packed, the traces for the Colosseum and Uffizi Gallery are nonetheless extremely lengthy, and the resort costs haven’t dropped considerably. It doesn’t ship the relaxed, romantic expertise you are hoping for.

As a substitute, take into account: Bologna, Italy. This is Italy’s undisputed foodie capital, and fall is the best possible time to go to for its harvest season of truffles and porcini mushrooms. It affords beautiful medieval structure and a vibrant, genuine environment with a fraction of the vacationers.

3. The Greek Islands (Crete, Rhodes)

The Drawback: The “Finish of Season Blues”

Whereas not a complete ghost town like in deep winter, the bigger Greek islands is usually a letdown in late October and November. The full of life vitality of summer time is gone, and the climate turns into a chance, with a a lot increased likelihood of cool, windy, and wet days. Many waterfront tavernas and outlets start to shut for the season, and also you would possibly discover your desires of a sun-drenched seaside journey are met with a cold actuality.

As a substitute, take into account: The Algarve, Portugal. As one in all Europe’s sunniest areas, Portugal’s southern coast nonetheless affords stunning, gentle, and sunny days nicely into the autumn, with dramatic cliffside surroundings and costs which are a fraction of their summer time peak.

4. The Philippines

The Drawback: The “Storm Gamble”

It is a important “do your analysis” pitfall. Our fall is correct in the midst of storm season for the Philippines, some of the energetic storm areas on the planet. Planning a visit to see the beautiful, world-famous seashores of Palawan or Boracay throughout this time is a high-stakes gamble, with a big danger of flight cancellations and days of torrential rain that may derail a whole trip.

As a substitute, take into account: Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai). November marks the start of the cool, dry, and completely good season right here. The panorama is extremely lush after the wet season, and also you get to expertise magical occasions just like the Yi Peng and Loi Krathong lantern festivals.

5. The Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper)

The Drawback: The “Winter Got here Early” Lure

Vacationers see photographs of the long-lasting turquoise lakes and suppose they’ll get that view in October. The truth is that by mid-October, the area typically will get its first main snowfalls. The well-known lakes freeze over, the golden larch season is completed, and plenty of scenic drives just like the Icefields Parkway can change into hazardous or quickly shut. It is typically full-blown winter, not the crisp autumn journey you had deliberate.

As a substitute, take into account: Utah’s Nationwide Parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon). October is absolutely the prime season right here. The brutal summer time warmth has vanished, the crowds are thinning, and the cottonwood bushes within the canyons flip an excellent golden yellow towards the pink rock, making for a spectacular and dependable fall journey.

6. Dubai, UAE

The Drawback: The “Nonetheless an Oven” Lure

Whereas technically fall, September and October in Dubai are nonetheless oppressively scorching and humid, with temperatures typically hovering nicely into the 90s. It’s not but the nice “winter” season that makes the town a pleasure to discover open air. You’re paying excessive costs to be caught indoors within the air con, which defeats the aim of a getaway.

As a substitute, take into account: Muscat, Oman. The climate right here additionally begins to change into stunning in October, nevertheless it affords a extra genuine and arguably extra scenic Arabian expertise. You’ll be able to discover dramatic fjords, beautiful wadis (river valleys), and an exquisite, historic metropolis with far fewer crowds and a extra relaxed vibe than Dubai.

7. Munich, Germany (Throughout Oktoberfest)

The Drawback: The “Competition Overload” Lure

Except your one and solely purpose is to go to Oktoberfest, visiting Munich in the course of the pageant (late September to early October) is a logistical and monetary nightmare. Lodge costs skyrocket to absurd ranges (often 4-5 times the normal rate), the town is packed to the gills, and each different attraction is crowded. It is a poor worth proposition for a normal fall journey to Germany.

As a substitute, take into account: Prague, Czech Republic. It affords a stunningly stunning fall expertise with attractive colours, fairytale structure, a world-class (and famously low-cost!) beer tradition, and costs which are a fraction of what you’d pay in Munich in the course of the pageant.

Selecting the best vacation spot for the season is the final word journey hack. Earlier than you guide your sensible various, run our important 1 Minute Trip Check to immediately confirm all present entry necessities and journey advisories in your trip!