Let Fall Colors Ignite Your Love For the Season
While the New England region of the United States may be one of the world’s most famous destinations for striking autumn foliage, Europe is home to a number of spectacular spots in the fall as well, framing gorgeous scenery with fiery reds, vibrant oranges and golden yellow hues.
In many places, you can also enjoy fabulous festivals that celebrate the season with delicious food and drink as well. So what are the best places in Europe to visit this fall? We have a list of the destinations with the very best autumn foliage in Europe in addition to some entertaining festive celebrations for you to partake in.
Lake District, England
England’s Lake District is renowned for its scenic beauty, and with the autumn light, it becomes even more breathtaking. Without a doubt, the Lake District is one of the best places to see autumn leaves in the United Kingdom. The many lakes in the region are surrounded by ruby and golden hills, while the copper hues of the beech trees are splashed across the picturesque mountains.
This moody season that is notorious for unpredictable weather also means you’ll encounter far fewer visitors, more tranquil walking paths and lower room rates. While it’s not unusual to experience all four seasons in just one day this time of year, those passing clouds and occasional showers serve to emphasize the grandeur of the scenery.
And, when the rain comes, just duck into a cozy pub, grab a seat next to the fire and enjoy a pint of local ale or cider.
Perthshire, Scotland
Perthshire is considered one of the most magnificent areas in all of Europe for fall colors in a place already renowned for its jaw-dropping natural beauty. This time of year, you’ll see the many lochs and streams reflecting those gold and orange covered hillsides, providing the opportunity for lots of postcard-perfect photos.
Some of the most impressive autumn scenery can be found around the Pass of Killiecrankie, Knock Hill and Loch Tummel. Take the walk to Knock Hill, strolling through colorful mixed woodlands, and enjoy stunning views from the summit of the Highlands.
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Wicklow, Ireland
The Wicklow Mountains are one of Ireland’s many treasures. While they’re worth visiting anytime of the year, in the fall those dramatic mountains are covered with a vibrant golden hue and can often be enjoyed in virtual silence. It’s often possible to walk for miles and miles on the trails and encounter not another soul, though you may run into a deer or two.
The lakes at Glendalough are particularly beautiful, and this also happens to be one of the most important monastic sites in the Emerald Isle, founded in the sixth century by St. Kevin. After wandering through the area, enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire with a pint of Guinness and a chat with the locals in one of the many pubs.
Bridge of Orchy, Scotland
Deep within the Scottish Highlands, the Bridge of Orchy is a village surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery that includes towering mountains and grand castles that, in autumn, often seem to appear magically out of the mist before vanish just as quickly as they appeared.
Take the walk along the West Highland Way, which passes right through the village and links Fort William to Milngavie to experience some of the best autumn foliage around.
Loch Lomond, Scotland
Another Scottish gem, Loch Lomond is the largest inland body of water in the United Kingdom by surface area and is the focus of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The “Queen of Scottish Lakes,” as author Walter Scott described it, is filled with salmon and trout, making it popular with anglers, but it’s ideal for picnics and walks along the shore as well.
The park also boasts an area of woodland glens that is a top spot for autumn strolls, with the Western Atlantic oaks putting on a dazzling show. A road trip from Glasgow to Dundee will take you right through Trossachs National Park, so you can see plenty of Scottish beauty over the course of a few days.
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Lugano, Switzerland
Lugano sits just south of the Alps on the shores of Lake Lugano in Switzerland and is surely one of the best European cities to visit in October, at the peak of the fall season. During the fall, visitors enjoy a pleasant climate in a choreographed setting of glorious colors.
If you go during the first weekend of October, you can take part in the Autumn Festival too, which hosts lots of folkloric music along with the celebration of grapes and fine wines.
The Antrim Coast and Glens, Northern Ireland
The Antrim Coast and Glens of Northern Ireland was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1988. There may be no better time to experience it than autumn with the golden light and the changing colors of the trees in areas like the nine Glens of Antrim, filled with cascading falls, forest trails, sparkling lakes and lush rolling hills.
Giant’s Causeway, located near the town of Bushmills at the edge of the wild North Atlantic, is made up of some 40,000 basalt columns that are best photographed during this season, particularly during the last two hours of daylight, when the sun turns the columns into a lovely golden color.
Among the picturesque woodland colors in the countryside, you can watch for the mushrooms and toadstools that are found in abundance, and go searching for juicy wild blackberries while enjoying the crisp autumn air.
A trip to the Waitomo Caves is certainly illuminating, particularly if you want to learn more about the glowworms who call the caverns below home.
Umbria, Italy
The Umbria region is one of the best areas of Italy to experience autumn colors and cuisine. The village of Magione sits along the banks of beautiful Lake Trasimeno, and puts on the spectacular Olivagando Oil and Autumn Festival over two days in November.
It features antique markets, workshops, art contests and a lavish medieval dinner. The highlight, of course, is the olive oil, a much sought-after oil made from la dolce agogia.
There are also plenty of fresh walnuts and chestnuts, handmade cheeses, cured meats, truffles, wine and more wine. Did we mention wine?
If chocolate is more your thing, for nine days in October, you can enjoy what’s known as Europe’s biggest chocolate celebration, the International Eurochocolate Festival. It takes place in Perugia, a city that’s long been associated with chocolate, home to the famous Italian chocolate Baci, and the chocolate factory that’s open for public tours.
The festival itself features chocolate sculptures, cooking shows, live performances and more chocolate than anyone could possibly eat.