Looking for fall travel inspiration? We asked six travel bloggers to share their favourite places to visit in the fall off-season for less.
The fall is a great season for travellers to get away and explore if they’re looking to check some bucket list destinations off for less. Not only is airfare more affordable in the fall, but many hotels, resorts and tour operators often lower their rates to help incentivize travellers out of the peak travel seasons. Autumn is also a great time to travel because the weather is often still fairly mild, making many destinations easier to explore without snow on the ground.
1. New Orleans
Best fall off-season destination for: Foodies and culture-seekers
Rick Griffin of Midlife Roadtrip suggests heading to New Orleans in the fall off-season for a little bit of fun when the hotels are less expensive and there isn’t as much traffic in and around the city. New Orleans is Griffin’s favourite food city in the U.S. because “there is so much incredible food to be experienced; beignets, muffulettas, jambalaya, gumbo, po-boys and more.” In between meals, he recommends “exploring the shops and bars in the French Quarter, taking ghost tours & pub crawls or a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi, visiting the cemetery, and of course, people-watching is always fun in New Orleans.”
While most tourists dream of going to New Orleans during one of the larger festivals, Griffin recommends stopping by the Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World or the Preservation Hall for traditional New Orleans jazz music during the off-season.
2. Costa Rica
Best fall off-season destination for: Nature, eco, and adventure travellers
For seasoned traveller Casie Stewart, Costa Rica has always been one of her favourite countries to explore. Stewart has listed this country as one of her top destinations because of the “sun, sand, surf, waterfalls, ziplining, animal sanctuaries, and amazing food.” During the off-season, Stewart recommends visiting smaller towns like Montezuma or Santa Teresa to get the more local experience.
Looking for more recommendations on what to do in Costa Rica? Check out our travel guide.
3. The Islands of Tahiti
Best fall off-season destination for: That once-in-a-lifetime trip
In the fall, check off a bucket list destination like the islands of Tahiti when flight prices and accommodations are lower during the off-season. Travel vlogger Mike Rizzi recommends visiting “Ahe if you’re looking for a quiet, serene escape, and the island of Bora Bora for a romantic adventure” after beginning your trip flying into Papeete.
From San Francisco, the low-cost airline French Bee takes you right to Tahiti for an affordable fare. Save on your connecting flight to San Francisco by looking for a discounted fare on Skyscanner to make the trip affordable. The weather year-round is warm on the islands of Tahiti, and you can swim in some of the most beautiful water you’ve ever seen. Try booking guesthouses or bed & breakfasts for your stay, as they are a chic and cheaper option for accommodation in Tahiti.
4. Croatia
Best fall off-season destination for: Budget travellers in search of beautiful landscapes
Croatia is a destination that has been steadily growing in popularity, mostly due to the famous scenes in Game of Thrones set in picturesque locations like Dubrovnik and Split, the many national parks around the country, and the budget-friendly pricing using the Croatian Kuna instead of the Euro. Sharon Mendelaoui from Daily Dream 360 recommends avoiding the peak travel seasons in the spring and summer months when the cruise ships and backpackers fill the beachfront towns, and to travel to Croatia in the fall off-season instead.
If you travel early enough in the fall, you can still enjoy the moderate temperatures or go on a 7-day Adriatic cruise, stopping in ports like Split, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Hvar, Vela Luka, and Slano.
5. France
Best fall off-season destination for: Outdoor enthusiasts and foodies
Tamara Elliott of Globe Guide suggests saving a Mediterranean vacation like a visit to the south of France until the fall season, where temperatures are mild and the crowds much less! France is one of her favourite travel destinations during the off-season because there is always something to do or somewhere beautiful to explore, and the off-season allows you to plan your vacation with smaller crowds and lower prices.
During your trip to France, Elliott recommends a visit to the Loire Valley, where travellers can rent an e-bike and cycle to visit the many countryside castles in the area. For a serene place to explore, Annecy on the shores of Lake Geneva is both tranquil and picturesque year-round, but particularly in the fall when the colours of the leaves are changing.
6. China
Best fall off-season destination for: Nature and city-seekers alike
If you’re hoping to check somewhere in Asia off your bucket list, Dave and Deb from The Planet D recommend getting out of Shanghai to visit another city like Suzhou during the off-season for a multi-day adventure. They recommend Suzhou for “an immersive experience into Chinese culture, history, and artistry, Suzhou is a must-stop on any China itinerary.”
Suzhou is sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’ because it is a “historic city filled with canals, UNESCO World Heritage designated classical gardens and ancient pedestrian streets.” However even in the off-season, popular gardens like the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Tiger Hill can be busy with local tourists, so you’ll want to arrive as close to opening as possible to wander through with a smaller crowd. And, don’t forget to indulge in some of China’s best street food during your trip.
This popular destination is less than an hour away via the high-speed train from Shanghai to Suzhou, so it’s an easy trip if you fly into Shanghai.
