Fall is quickly approaching, and one of the things that people love to do during this season is to have a vacation. Travelling during fall is perfect because you can find the best deals; there are fewer crowds compared to summer, which is the season when most people travel.
Seeing magnificent fall colours is also such a perk. It’s my favourite time to travel because of the amazing photo ops. If you’re thinking the same, these basic photography skills are a game changer.
Plus the weather is not too hot and not too cold. Which is why I compiled a list of countries you could go to. Here are some of the best fall destinations for a 3-week trip.
TIPS ON PLANNING A TRIP
Fall or autumn is a great time to go on a trip. Fewer people are travelling during this time, which decreases the accommodation, flights, and even tour costs. It’s what we call the off-season, an ideal time to go on a trip for those on a budget or who want to avoid big crowds.
What to pack
Packing for autumn or fall trips can be complicated because it could be warm or cold. But you want to be prepared and avoid spending money to buy clothes during your trip. One thing to remember is to arrange outfits that can be done in layers.
This includes a long-sleeve top that is breathable and lightweight. When it comes to a jacket or sweater, bring one that is thinner and one that is lined in wool/fleece and big enough to layer on top of a long-sleeve shirt and a light sweater/jacket. We have a complete fall packing list for a 3-week trip.
Where to book
I recommend the websites below to find the best deals when planning your trip. You should be able to book last-minute hotels or even cancellation-free accommodations. But when it comes to flights, it’s still better to book in advance, especially if planning to go to a popular destination.
BEST FALL DESTINATIONS FOR A 3-WEEK TRIP
As the leaves turn shades of gold and crimson, several spectacular fall destinations exist to explore worldwide. New England, USA, is renowned for its quintessential fall foliage. With its picturesque landscapes, towns like Stowe in Vermont epitomize the region’s charm.
Quebec, Canada, is another North American gem, where the Laurentian Mountains burst into colour and Montreal’s parks, such as Mount Royal, showcase autumn’s beauty. In Europe, the Lake District in the UK offers serene lakes surrounded by foliage, while Tuscany, Italy’s vineyards and rolling hills are imbued with autumnal hues.
Kyoto, Japan, is an Asian haven during fall, as vibrant maple leaves frame the historic temples. For the Southern Hemisphere, the Patagonia region in Argentina and Chile is ideal during March and April, when the rugged landscapes are adorned with autumn colours. These destinations promise an unforgettable immersion in the beauty of fall.
Nova Scotia, Canada
Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s three Maritime and four Atlantic provinces. It is well-known for lobsters, apples, blueberries, and high tides. They offer many activities during fall, including apple picking, cosy city getaway, pumpkin patch, and winery tours.
One of the most famous tourist destinations here during fall is Cape Breton Island, where Minas Basin and the Bay of Fundy can be found. Aside from that, it has acres upon acres of trees with leaves that are turning red, yellow, and orange during this season.
Other places include Lunenberg, a UNESCO world heritage site, and Windsor, where the world’s largest pumpkins are produced during the fall season. You could also attend Celtic Colours Music Festival and Devour Fest.
Honestly, the list of things to do here is endless. It is advisable to rent a car here as you can visit locations far from each other more easily and have time on your hands. Check our travel itinerary for 3 weeks in Canada and start planning your trip.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands and is a designated UNESCO world heritage site. It is also one of the top financial centres in Europe. It is well-known for its elaborate canal systems, well-preserved structures from the 17th century, and artistic heritage.
The fall season is actually a perfect time to visit Amsterdam’s Museums, one of which is the Rijksmuseum. One of the most bizarre museums, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, can also be found here.
You can also visit their parks and witness the orange leaves up close. One of the most famous parks here is the Vondelpark, where you’ll also find a rose garden and an open-air theatre. Some of the lesser-known but equally beautiful parks are Westerpark and Amstelpark.
Other locations to visit include Anne Frank’s house, Amsterdam Royal Palace, and Dam Square. Renting a car is unnecessary here because you can easily go around by biking, using public transport, which could be easily accessed, and even walking. We don’t have a specific itinerary for the Netherlands, but we have a 3-week Western Europe guide covering Amsterdam.
Vermont, USA
Vermont is a state in New England bordered by New Hampshire in the East, New York in the West, Massachusetts in the South, and the Canadian province Quebec in the North. Vermont is one of the best places to spend the fall season as ¾ of the area is covered by colourful ash, oaks, vibrant maples, birch, and the like.
While staying here, you could do hiking, a foliage road trip, and explore Stowe Village. You can also swing by the Cold Hollow Cider Mill for treats. This place is popular with locals and tourists, so there will likely be a queue here.
Some well-known parks here for the fall season are Lake Carmi State Park, Woodford State Park, and Oakledge Park, which also has a nice sunset view. Car rental is advisable in this area as the locations are pretty far from each other. You can explore Vermont and other parts of the East Coast USA under 20 days.
Paris, France
We are all familiar with Paris because of the Eiffel Tower. For museum buffs, it’s because of The Louvre, and for sports enthusiasts, because of the football team Paris Saint Germain. Aside from that, it is also one of the 4 major fashion capitals of the world. But there’s more to Paris than being the city of love and all those other things I previously mentioned.
Paris is also wonderful to see during the fall season. Fall is when wine festivals are abundant, the foliages are enchanting, and there are also tons of exhibitions all around. Head to Places des Vosges or Jardin des Tuileries for aesthetic foliage.
Luxembourg Gardens is Paris’ largest public park. If you’re looking for something a little bit more different, Promenade Plantee is the way to go, as it is a raised park on an old railway line. You can totally spend 3 weeks in France, planning one week in Paris alone.
Other things to do include visiting museums or even exploring their catacombs which is timely as this is also the Halloween season. Of course, trying our Parisian comfort food shouldn’t be off your list. I am personally dying to try out charcuterie, croissants, and baguettes. Renting a car isn’t advisable because most locations here are easily accessible by public transport or on foot.
Scotland, UK
Scotland is the second largest country in the United Kingdom. It is divided into 32 administrative subdivisions. This country is famous for its lively music culture, whisky distilleries, bagpipes, and beautiful lochs. There are many things to do in Scotland during the fall season, including stargazing. The Isle of Coll has a unique stargazing annual event during October.
Aside from that, you may see Northern Lights up close during this time. You can walk through autumn colours on the East Coast by North Berwick or witness numerous wildlife, including geese, seal pups, red deer, and more. Twenty days in the UK features Scotland, which is perfect for visiting during autumn.
Some places to visit during this season are Glencoe Lochan, Castle Tioram, Big Tree Country, the Cairngorms National Park, and one of Scotland’s many Botanical Gardens.
I highly recommend renting a car in Scotland, especially if you’re going to stay for more than a week (in this case, three weeks), because aside from having schedule flexibility, you can also reach places that are hard to get to using public transport.
Kyoto, Japan
Last but definitely not least in the list of best fall destinations for a 3-week trip is Japan, with a specific visit to Kyoto, the seventh most populous city and one of Japan’s oldest municipalities. Kyoto is famous for its shrines, temples, traditional atmosphere, and Japanese gardens. That’s why it is a perfect place to spend your autumn vacation.
Some things to do in Kyoto include visiting temples and shrines after dark, as the view during that time is simply ethereal. You can also seek out tasty treats in Nishiki Market. This is also the perfect time to drink sake with a fine meal like Sukiyaki.
Here’s a list of a couple of must-see places during autumn. Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Eikando Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Hozugawa River, and more.
Renting a car in Kyoto is generally not encouraged as the transport system here is very expensive. However, you may rent a car if the places you want to visit in this prefecture are highly remote. Check out our 3 weeks in Japan itinerary to see what is the best way to get around and what to see apart from Kyoto.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON BEST FALLS DESTINATIONS FOR A 3-WEEK TRIP
From Asia to North America to Europe, there are places all over the world wherein experiencing the fall season feels more magical. Thus, this list of best fall destinations for a 3-week trip. Aside from the changing colour of leaves and lesser crowds, their accommodations and airfares are generally lower than in peak season.
There are foods and activities you could only eat or do during autumn, and of course, it’s within the Halloween season, so this vacation can also be your way to celebrate Halloween with your loved ones.
I hope that this list of the best fall destinations for a 3-week trip has helped plan your travel itinerary.
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