The large crowds can be unbearable and the prices unreasonable. But as autumn advances, the heat fades, the crowds disappear, (along with the sunburn and sweat) leaving behind a cooler, calmer and cheaper destination. Travel search site Skyscanner takes a look at ten notorious holiday hotspots which are ideal for cool autumn adventures…
The large crowds can be unbearable and the prices unreasonable. But as autumn advances, the heat fades, the crowds disappear, (along with the sunburn and sweat) leaving behind a cooler, calmer and cheaper destination. Travel search site Skyscanner takes a look at ten notorious holiday hotspots which are ideal for cool autumn adventures.
Orlando, Florida, USA
Orlando, home of Mickey, Minnie and friends at Walt Disney World, along with the other huge theme parks, is overrun with throngs of tourists, including lots of young children, all summer long. That means long lines and jacked up prices. And in Florida, the temperatures can also be scorching during summer. But in autumn, you’ll have a cooler, less crowded experience, and the chance to score off-season deals at the same time. The lovable Disney characters await!
Santorini, Greece
Santorini, the most popular of the Greek islands, with its bright white buildings and sea blue roofs, set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea, is also one of the most visited spots in all of Greece. In autumn everything calms down, including the heat, so you actually get to relax and enjoy this gorgeous island with a bit of peace and more pleasant temperatures.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has become a big must-see European destination for people from all over the world lately, which means the city can become bogged down with tourists during the summer. But in autumn, the leaves are turning, and the locals are returning following their summer escapes, so you’ll be able to enjoy this Danube-hugging gem of a town with fewer queues and crowds.
Chicago, Illinois
The “windy city” may be situated on one of the world’s largest lakes and get quite chilly in the winter, but its mid-continent locale additionally makes for steamy summers. Even though Chicago won’t be seen on worldwide TV screens for the 2016 Olympic Games, stop in to see it for yourself this autumn, when you can taste the flavours of the season, like hot cocoa, apple cider, a bowl of hearty chilli or a slice of pumpkin pie.
Seoul, South Korea
Jennifer Barclay, South Korean expert and author of Meeting Mr Kim, says autumn is an ideal time for a first visit to the country. The days can be sunny and warm without being oppressively hot, the beaches and mountains are often empty, and the maple leaves change to a spectacular red. There are also cultural festivals across the country celebrating local traditions such as eel-catching and lantern-making. The Seoul Grand Sale is also on until November, offering big discounts plus there’s free entry to many palaces and museums.
Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca is a beach bum’s dream and a party animal’s paradise in the summertime, with sandy beaches galore, raging nightlife, and plenty of heat and sun. But in autumn, the crowds begin to thin, and it’s the ideal time to take advantage of its other attributes; miles of scenic hiking trails, the grape harvest season and wine sampling, plus various historical attractions which make for a very different kind of Mallorcan holiday.
San Antonio, Texas
Ever longed to make like a cowboy and spend some time in the Lone Star State, without melting? If so, a visit to San Antonio and its Texas Star Trail in autumn is the place to head. It’s full of Wild West history with places such as the Alamo, the L. Frank Saddlery building, the Navarro House, and dozens of other structures of historical importance.
Tokyo, Japan
This ultra-modern metropolis is known for its advanced technologies, jam-packed, lightning-fast trains and colourful street fashion, but also has the added reputation of being expensive and very crowded. But by autumn the heavy heat and humidity of summer has passed so you’ll be able to enjoy the glitz of Shinjuku, the gadgets of Akihabara and the gothic girls of Harajuku, in the cooler autumn climes.
Venice, Italy
While winding through the streets of Venice, marvelling at the elegant architecture and admiring the maze of canals, instead of bumping into other gawkers and roasting under the summer sun, an autumn visit to the northern, coastal Italian city will prove to be much more refreshing. Most of even the ritziest hotels slash their prices too after the peak-season crowds depart, so your wallet can also breathe easier!
San Diego, California, USA
San Diego is known for its year-round pleasant, dry weather, but in summer, the mercury can sometimes spike in this Pacific coast hotspot. Instead, go now; the tourists have left, so it’ll just be you and the locals at some of the best places in town. Don’t miss downtown’s quaint Gaslamp Quarter, and Coronado Island with its grand old, possibly haunted, hotel. Also, step onto the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier and check out its museum, and look for other imposing navy ships and that are docked around the shoreline.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
