The turning of the season needn’t mean putting travel on hold, explore some of our favourite fall time destinations including Munich and Vancouver. Many cities can be even better in the off-season with fewer tourists and a better opportunity to really experience the people and culture of the place you visit. We hope you’ll enjoy our favourite fall vacation spots as much as we do!
Vancouver, Canada
The unique combination of Vancouverism architecture and incredible amount of green one finds in Vancouver make the fall season colourful and radiant with autumn shades. With hiking trails accessible by transit and a great many events happening throughout the week and on weekends one is sure to enjoy the relaxed, easy-going pace of Vancouver with a light sweater and a camera.
Where to Stay: The Burrard – with it’s unique style and central location this casual boutique hotel offers guests a taste of the 50’s but in a way even a luxury hotel buff can appreciate. Other options include the one of the three Fairmonts downtown – which one will depend on your personal tastes, Rosewood Hotel Georgia, and for a boutique-esque style feel in popular Yaletown OPUS Hotel has you covered. For longer stays check out the fully equipped L’Hermitage Hotel.
San Francisco, USA
The city of San Francisco is much the same in the autumn as it is most other times of the year, except for one key difference – tourists. During the cooler months, and we say cooler lightly, it is California after all, and if one looks at historical weather the difference from summer to autumn is actually only a few degrees. Going in mid October one should see fewer tourists, enjoy the colours of the season and maybe even catch some fall sales at your favourite department store!
When you’re done exploring the gorgeous city and seeing the people, take a tour or rent a car and head to wine country to see the colours of the season there too!
Where to Stay: We recommend the Asian inspired Hotel Nikko with it’s fresh accommodations nestled in the Chinia Town, Nob Hill and Downtown areas you’re just blocks away from shopping and excitement on Market street. If you would prefer something bit more formal there is always the Fairmont and the Hyatt Grand.
Munich, Germany
Reasons for visiting Munich in late September, early October are slightly jaded. If you enjoy crowds of happy Germans drinking, then Oktoberfest will be a delight for you. Beer gardens and a general good time are sure to be had in Munich during this time of year. If you can peel yourself away from the beer there are other treats to be had as well. Neuschwanstein castle is beautiful any time of the year, but to see it with a backdrop of autumn colours is a special treat. When you tire of the drinking or photo taking, be sure try out the shopping, Munich is abound with luxury and designer stores and a plethora of unique [German] brands you’ll love to find.
Where to Stay: From the amazing collection at DesignHotels.com the Flushing Meadows hotel is located in a great area of the city with easy access to the Haputbahnhof (main train station) and all the festivus activities you could wish to find during Oktoberfest. Directly across from the train station is Le Meridien Hotel from Starwood, this unassuming property offers guests a refined interior with excellent service and great access to the city and bus tours which typically leave from half a block away.
Tokyo, Japan
While the city of Tokyo itself may not offer any special fall attractions, there are plenty of surrounding areas one may visit from Tokyo that offer a great deal more than many people would expect. The Fuji Five Lakes (Fuji-goko) is a region at the northern base of Mount Fuji and offers some of the best views of the iconic mountain. Kamakura, home to many temples and shrines has such a mild climate that the autumn colours do not start until about early December.
Where to Stay: We’ve again defaulted to DesignHotels.com for this, since we can always trust the quality of the properties they put their name to. The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon gives guests a proper Japanese stay, featuring art and architecture by genuine Japanese artists.
