Summertime is high season for world travelers, especially in the northern hemisphere. Beaches and warm weather beckon, but they can come with significant drawbacks and big crowds. If you’re craving something a bit more remarkable for your next luxury private jet charter destination, we recommend heading out for fun in the fall. This wonderful time of year is just right for experiencing a mixture of great food, high culture, and gorgeous surroundings. From Bruges to Bhutan, we list the best places to travel in October right here.
Bruges, Belgium
Take a step back in time or recharge during a vacation and truly relax with a vacation in Bruges, Belgium. In this small, medieval city, beautiful churches and colorful building facades appear as if they were taken straight from a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. Each is surrounded by old-world romantic canals.
In Bruges, you’ll enjoy open-air markets, high-culture points all throughout the city, and some of Europe’s most incredible chocolatiers. Quieter tourism seasons in the fall produce more intimate experiences with fewer crowds. It’s the ideal spot for romantic photo ops, engagements, weddings, and anniversaries, too.
Thimphu, The Kingdom of Bhutan
This landlocked country in South Asia sits in the Himalayas next to Tibet. It’s unique in that its constitution mandates that 60 percent of the country has to remain under forest cover at all times, making the tiny country one of the most heavily protected in the world. Thimphu also measures gross national happiness in addition to more traditional economic indicators.
This unique mountain kingdom is unlike any other place on Earth, which is why it’s one of the best places to travel in October. A visit provides you with instant access to many fall festivals you just won’t find anywhere else in the world. A trip to the Thimphu Tshechu festival exposes you to three incredible days of color, blessings, and mask dances by monks. It takes place every November in the capital city. This amazing experience honors the Guru who brought Buddhism to Bhutan centuries ago.
Piedmont, Italy
While many people run to Italy’s numerous historical and artistic sites in the summer, food and wine connoisseurs know that Autumn is when the Italian experience hits its peak. October in Italy, in particular, provides endless opportunities to indulge, especially in Piedmont.
Stay in Piedmont, Italy, and dine on truffles, chestnuts, and chocolate; each has its own associated autumn festival. Craving wine? Vineyard harvests begin in early October and range into the beginning of December, depending on the grape. Even if you don’t care for wine and chocolate, there’s always gourmet Italian restaurants to experience first-hand. Because of the many events, Piedmont is one of the best places to visit in October to immerse yourself in culture.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is a tourist destination all year long, but most tourists leave once the summer ends. Those that do are missing out on some of the best experiences the city has to offer.
Prague’s numerous historic sites and streets take on a beautiful glow in the autumn as leaves change, turning bright crimson reds, ochre yellows, and vibrant oranges. Cool temperatures and thinned-out crowds make this gorgeous city an ideal place to enjoy delicious brews and hearty Czech food without feeling claustrophobic. It’s also the perfect destination for the quiet contemplator at heart — there’s a beautiful park just begging you to curl up with a good book around every corner.
Love the nightlife? Prague has plenty to offer in this area, too. It’s home to some of the world’s best nightclubs and music, including the renowned Karlovy lázně and Mecca. Dance the night away in a crowd who won’t recognize you unless you want them to.
Oaxaca, México
One of the best places to travel in October is Oaxaca, México. In late October, Oaxaca celebrates the Day of the Dead with a massive festival. This celebration of love and loss involves both bombastic revelry and quiet reflection as people mourn and honor their dead loved ones. This ancient holiday originated thousands of years ago with indigenous cultures of Mexico, but today, it’s celebrated with fireworks, bright costumes, calenda processions, mezcal, and music in the streets. Families also gather to give offerings to the dead.
Although the rest of Mexico does celebrate the Day of the Dead, there’s nothing quite like celebrating in Oaxaca. It’s a one-of-a-kind holiday that’s just right for the sensitive traveler who loves cultural immersion.
Portland, Maine
You don’t always need to leave the country to be wowed! New England’s picturesque coastal towns become especially beautiful in the fall, enlivened by crisp air and vibrant foliage. A visit to Portland exposes you to historic lighthouses and gives you the opportunity to hike up Bradbury mountain. Take in a hayride, attend local fairs, curl up in some of Maine’s fanciest luxury hotels. Or head into the city for gourmet dining experiences — all while taking in a genuine beauty of Portland’s fall.
Love seafood? Don’t forget that Maine is a seafood-rich state. If nothing else, come for the incredibly succulent lobster cooked to perfection.
Louisville, Kentucky
While this soulful city isn’t one of the world’s most famous tourist hot spots it is one of the best places to travel in October. Those who know their bourbon whiskey know all about Louisville. A third of all of the world’s bourbon whiskey comes to this city, which toasts to its heritage every September during National Bourbon Heritage Month.
Louisville’s many eateries often have a whiskey bourbon menu that can sometimes rival a beer list in Bruges. Choose from brand-new formulas or expensive, timeless classics from decades past.
Louisville is also incredibly beautiful all throughout fall. Come for a visit to enjoy the autumnal atmosphere in Iroquois Park. Experience it at its best in Crisp October, when 5,000 jack o’lanterns are put on display.
Istanbul, Turkey
Because Istanbul is an exotic and historic city with so much to offer culture junkies, it’s one of the best places to travel in October. Autumn is truly the perfect time to visit.
Istanbul’s intense summer heat is scorching, and winters can be intensely cold, deterring many tourists from walking the streets of this fairytale city. In contrast, autumn weather is almost always cool, yet comfortable, encouraging exploration and adventure.
When you come for the fall, you’ll enjoy historic buildings, beautiful architecture, and delicious traditional Turkish food without the crowds. You’ll explore Istanbul’s winding alleyways uninterrupted while hearing traditional Turkish music around every corner.
Loire Valley, France
The last on the list of best places to travel in October is France. Wine lovers will love Loire Valley in the fall. With over 180,000 acres of grapevines, it is truly a paradise for those who appreciate a variety of fine wines and winemaking as a whole.
Loire’s vines stretch across hills and valleys and turn a stunning palette of fiery reds and golds as the seasons change. This region is surrounded by forests and romantic chateaux, making every walk and look around incomparably beautiful. It’s also home to many luxury chateaus — rent them with a sweetheart to spend time together away from the crowds. There is no better place in Europe to appreciate crisp fall weather paired with the best wines.
In our opinion, these are the best places to travel in October. Avoid the congestion, while taking in amazing scenery and culture. Start planning your trip today!