Best Travel Destinations for Fall
Fall can be a great time to get away. The summer crowds have gone home and shoulder season softens up air and hotel prices. Whether you’re in the mood to go near or far, there’s a destination for everyone. Here are my favourite travel destinations for fall:
Stay Close to Home with Canada
The Ottawa River separates Ontario and Quebec, and there’s nothing quite like the valley in fall. With Ottawa on one side and Gatineau on the other, autumn is arguably the most beautiful season in Ontario. I spent five years living in Canada’s capital and I loved the festivals, fall colours, and winters on the Rideau Canal.
For a perfect autumn outing, take a drive through Gatineau Park and watch the changing leaves. Pack a picnic lunch and head out early to Philippe Lake to enjoy a barbecue and a walk along Breton beach. Snap lots of pictures and play some Frisbee with the family. The Lusk Caves are only a short drive away and a fun adventure for anyone interested in doing some amateur caving. Water runs through the caves so wear appropriate clothes and a helmet to protect your head.
You might be surprised to discover that a staycation (or at least an in-country vacation) offers one of the best travel destinations for fall – and it won’t break the bank.
Caribbean Getaways on a Shoestring Budget
It’s about this time of year that you can score a Caribbean holiday for under five hundred bucks. You might come across an all-inclusive vacation for next to nothing, but don’t start dreaming of sun-drenched beaches quite yet. The risk you take when the Caribbean is one of your travel destinations for fall is the possibility of getting caught in a hurricane.
The stormy season runs from June 1st to November 30 and it looks like everything south of Florida is no-go zone. But never fear, finding a storm-free sunny destination is as easy as ABC - Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.
According to HurricaneCity.com, only 22 tropical storms or hurricanes have even come close to these islands between 1871 and 2014. It’s only brushed or hit every 6.5 years. Compare that record to Morehead City, North Carolina which gets savaged by storms every 1.54 years. In fact, the climate in these islands remain pleasant and sunny almost year round. So score your own sweet deal on a Caribbean vacay without the worry of Tropical Storm Erika washing you out.
Go Big or Go Home, Paris in the Fall
You always hear about Paris in the spring but there’s something to be said about autumn. Hordes of people head for European destinations over the summer, while both the sun and school is out. Visiting France in the fall is a free pass from two hour long lineups to see Notre Dame Cathedral and shoulder checking your way through the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa.
You’ll also get a better chance to score upgrades on flights and hotels will be more reasonably priced. Paris has a lot to offer and the fall is the perfect time to enjoy the city as a local. Walk through the Palais-Royal Gardens in full colour, swing by Angelina for a hot chocolate, and visit Versailles at your leisure.
So those are my three top travel destinations for fall. Wherever your travels take you, make sure you get travel insurance to get you through any interruptions or emergencies that might crop up. It always pays to be prepared when you’re travelling.