In the northern hemisphere, the crispness in the air that signifies fall is on its way also means that within a few weeks, the trees will begin showing off their color. If you live in the United States and want to see fall foliage, chances are that the first place you think of going is New England: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and, to a slightly lesser extent, Connecticut and Rhode Island are known for having flamboyant, spectacular displays of gorgeous fall foliage. Other places in the States to visit in the fall if you want to see colorful leaves include North Carolina, the Great Lakes region, New York and other areas in the northern half of the country. What about the rest of the world, though? New England doesn’t have a monopoly on fall beauty when it comes to Europe, Asia and other parts of North America. Here are some vacation destinations to consider if you’re planning on seeing some fall foliage this year:
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Japan Starting in mid-September, the northern regions of Japan will begin getting ready for their wintertime slumber with a colorful display of fall. While Japan is most famous for beautiful spring cherry blossoms, the autumn is just as beautiful. If you’re traveling early in the season, consider visiting Hokkaido, a northern island, or other northern cities in the country. As the fall progresses, the color will move slowly south. Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto might not see color until November, and the leaves will likely still be pretty into the first week or so of December.
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China The city of Beijing is the perfect place to see beautiful fall foliage from mid-October until mid-November. There are several fall foliage tours that you can take in the city, or you can simply explore the region on your own. You’ll see a lot of red maple leaves and exotic gingko trees. Visit the mountainous areas near the Great Wall, or stroll through any park to get good views.
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France In the wine valleys of France, particularly the Loire Valley, you can see large swaths of color as the vineyards explode with autumn’s beauty. The good part about visiting France in the fall is that summer’s tourism will have largely died down, leaving you with a few foliage-chasers and the area’s natives. You’ll be just in time for wine-tasting, and it’s quite romantic to enjoy the views from the chateaux and castles that make Europe famous.
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Canada Don’t forget about our northern neighbors when it comes to fall foliage! Try the Laurentian region, which is just north of Montreal, for spectacular displays. Other good bets include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, whose fall foliage rivals that of northern New England in terms of intensity and color.
No matter where you go to see fall foliage, be sure to take part in the festivals, fairs and traditions that make autumn special in the area. Many regions feature special foods and activities to say goodbye to summer and to prepare for the upcoming winter, so don’t neglect to be a part of that.
Where have you seen the best fall foliage? Share your experiences with our readers!
