Sure, you might immediately be daydreaming of Paris or New York, but these cities start becoming increasingly cold from October and so your mind should drift further south for warm countries.

Many countries that are warm this time of the year are located in the Southern Hemisphere (I’m looking at you South America!) where it is now almost summertime and there is a warm climate.

Besides being warm, it’s important to book a trip to a cheaper country. That way your money gets stretched further and more fun can be had.

The Best Cheap & Warm Countries To Visit

1. Mexico
2. Colombia
3. Thailand
4. Indonesia
5. Argentina
6. South Africa
7. United Arab Emirates
8. Portugal
9. Croatia
10. Bolivia

1. Mexico

Located in between North and Central America, Mexico is the ideal country to escape to for whatever cheap fun in the sun action you are searching for. Whether it be the ideal beaches of Tulum, discovering the beautiful old town of Mexico City, or seeing the temples of the Yucatan Peninsula.

While it does have some incredible destinations, the real star of the show may be the food that Mexico offers. From tacos to huevos rancheros to mollete, Mexico has great food to offer any visitor. Considering a taco can be had for less than a dollar, you’ll have plenty of change left over.

Going to Mexico always means escaping to some of the best beaches in the world. With Isla Holbox in Quintana Roo, Playa Los Cerritos in town of Todos Santos, or Playa la Ropa in Zihuatanejo, Mexico has so many beaches on offer!

2. Colombia

A country that is in the midst of a comeback, Colombia is deserving of its place as one of the best warm countries to escape to. Whether you want hot sun in Cartagena or year-round spring-like weather in Medellin, Colombia has plenty to offer.

The real treat is visiting the country’s Coffee Triangle, where a large percentage of the world’s coffee is grown. You can taste some of the best coffee you’ll ever have straight from the source…a tour and coffee are only $10.

Also, there are some truly impressive historical sites to check out such as the Walled City of Cartagena, or La Popa Monastery located on top Mount Popa.

Colombian food also deserves a mention. Treat yourself to some traditional (and yummy) foods such as Bandeja Paisa or Chicharrón, and don’t be shy in trying out the street food. Arepa with cheese is a classic type of street food in Colombia that only sets you back about $1. So eat away without worrying about the cost!

3. Thailand

Thailand has exploded in popularity among visitors in recent years. It’s actually become a favorite destination for digital nomads and it seems like every day you see pictures of someone’s friends heading over for a week or two.

From Chiang Mai’s mountain ranges to Bangkok’s chaotic beautifulness to Koh Phi Phi’s party beaches, Thailand is just waiting to be discovered.

I recommend going rogue and renting a motorbike to explore all of the harder to reach spots. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the prices. Food, rent, and entertainment are all a third of what they would be back home.

Thailand is just waiting for you to explore its beautiful varied regions.

4. Indonesia

Unfortunately, Indonesia has recently been in the news for natural disasters that have pounded the island country. Now, it’s even more important to go visit the country and support it any way you can.

Many opt to go to Bali, but since you are a real trekker, you’re more likely to go off the beaten path to a spot like Maluku Islands or Tanjung Puting National Park.

Considering you can eat like a king for only $7 USD or go on a full day trip to go see endangered Orangutans, I’d say Indonesia is a great, warm weather country that’ll make your money go far.

5. Argentina

I bet you weren’t expecting to see Argentina on this list, but considering that summer is coming and the exchange rates are quite favorable at the moment, it’s a great time to go explore all that the country has to offer.

While the Argentine Peso is lower than usual, it’s a nice time to go visit the Patagonia region and do some incredible hikes.

Of course, no trip to Argentina would be complete without first visiting the Paris of South America (Buenos Aires). With its small streets, incredible street art, and delicious food, Argentina is a great fall or winter getaway.

6. South Africa

Speaking of warm Southern Hemisphere destinations, South Africa is a country that’s becoming more and more popular among travelers. The country has big cities, nature, lively culture, and tons of history.

In terms of prices, it’s actually one of the cheapest in Africa. This is due to the fact that other countries on the continent have converted their prices to USD whereas South Africa has kept their currency.

It goes without saying that the wildlife in South Africa is pretty incredible all around, but especially in places such as Kruger National Park.

Moreover, there are great opportunities for hiking with Table Mountain or the Cape of Good Hope, and also wonderful beaches such as Boulders Beach that features a penguin colony!

Take advantage of South Africa’s affordability before the secret is out.

7. United Arab Emirates

When you think of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, what do you think of? If oppressive heat comes to mind then you’re not far off! Luckily, October is when the temperatures start to drop to a more reasonable average (around 86°F/ 30°C).

In terms of cost, you might think of Ferraris driving around Dubai, but for a visitor, the costs are pretty reasonable. A good meal should set you back about $15 USD and a museum pass costs about $1 USD.

There are also some colossus feats of architecture in the United Arab Emirates. From impressive mosques to palaces, you’ll be constantly admiring the architecture.

Being closer to the desert too also adds the benefit of opening up more opportunities for thrill-seekers. Go on a desert safari tour in the Liwa Desert, try some dune driving, or see the desert by quad bike. Maybe even try sandboarding. (Yes, that is a thing!)

If you can, try to avoid Abu Dhabi or Dubai to cut down on costs and get a more local view of this incredible country.

8. Portugal

This Mediterranean country is now on many travelers bucket list and is one of the best warm European countries to escape the cold.

I remember when I visited in 2014 and many of my friends were confused about why I would go to Portugal and not Spain first…I changed their minds when I came back with some incredible pictures of Portugal!

This country has every modern comfort and is easily accessible from the rest of Europe and North America (5 hours flight from the East Coast of the US and Canada.)

Portugal has a bit of everything too: castles, beaches, mountains, beautiful scenery, lakes, cool cities, and great architecture. You’ll get that vintage European feel while basking in the warmth and not breaking the bank.

9. Croatia

With daily highs in fall of 72°F/ 22°C and lows of 59°F/ 15°C, fall or winter is an ideal time of the year for a vacation in Croatia. It also is way less crowded than in the warmer summer months. With fewer visitors means cheaper prices for tours and other tourist related activities.

Be sure to take advantage of great deals on cruises around the Croatian coast and check out some of the islands. Croatia really has some of the best beaches Europe can offer!

But not to forget to also mention, with it being a Balkan country, it offers more than just Mediterranean culture. You really feel something different and unique here.

It’s also a diverse country in that it offers many opportunities for adventurous types. Go check out the wonderful national parks such as Plitvice Lakes National Park, or try hiking, diving, snorkeling, or sailing.

As you can see from the photo above too, there are so many beautiful towns in Croatia! You won’t be short of options to explore.

Note: Although one of the warm countries in Europe, depending on which part of the country you’re in, Croatia can start to get a little bit cooler in deep winter…but only very rarely will drop below 41°F/ 5°C.

10. Bolivia

This South American country is often seen as a pass over for many going to visit Peru, but you are missing so much by not spending time exploring Bolivia.

Sure, it’s not as cheap as people originally assume, but you can easily live as comfortably for way less than back home.

Be sure to take one of the cheapest jungle tours on the continent, but be wary there are many shady companies. La Paz is also a lovely city to spend some time and has a large expat community.

Sucre is a city in the southern highlands that has a subtropical climate meaning its hot in the summer and not too cold in the winter.

The Historic City of Sucre with its incredibly well-preserved 16^th Century churches like Santo Domingo and San Lázaro showcase a blending of old-world European architecture and new-world American architecture. This is part of the reason why the History City of Sucre is actually a UNESCO world heritage site!

With it also being the prettiest city in Bolivia, I’d say its a good option to visit!

Bolivia is one of those warm countries that deserve to be a part of your next trip.

Other Questions:

What Is The Warmest Country In Europe?

There are multiple winners of the “warmest country in Europe” competition, some of them cheap enough to arguably deserve a place on this list! These countries include Cyrus, Malta and Greece.

What Is The Warmest Scandinavian Country?

Scandinavia is certainly not known for being warm this time of year, but perhaps you just LOVE the Nordic countries and you’d like to know what the warmest Scandinavian countries are anyway? These answers may surprise you, but we’d like to nominate these places.

• Røst in Lofoten, Norway

In the Arctic North of Norway (wait, what?!) is our first recommendation. Despite being pretty far north in Norway, it is sat right in the middle of the Gulf Stream meaning there is barely ever snow here. In fact, the average temperature of Røst is a bit over 0°C / 32°F all year round. So, if you want stunning views, and don’t mind it being just slightly chilly, go here!

• Iceland

Despite its misleading name, Iceland is actually one of the warmest Scandinavian countries during winter (at least in the south of Iceland). It’s warmer than Minnesota this time of year and its a country that has become really popular recently. It has some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in the world.

• Denmark / southern Sweden

Our last recommendations for the warmest Scandinavian countries are pretty obvious. Denmark is the southernmost Scandinavian country, and south Sweden has the same latitude, therefore this is your more traditional answer for what is the warmest Scandinavian country.

Do You Live Longer In Warm Climates?

Warmer climates are usually more enjoyable for people, so there is something to be said in believing that mental health can improve by spending some time in a warmer climate.

But in regards to physical health, it is a pretty well-documented trend that more people die during the winter than summer. Summer tends to be a time where people drink more water, eat healthier foods, and receive more Vitamin D from the sunlight.

So, in a sense, yes warmer climates can help you to live longer and be healthier—but mainly because of the way it changes our lifestyles for the better.

So after reading my list of warm places to go, what do you think of it? Will you fly off to one of the countries with the best weather in the world, or will you just accept the cold weather and travel somewhere colder?

Let me know how you travel and we can share tips on how to experience the best climates in the world all year round. Happy travels!

Suggested next reading: 12 Cheap & Exotic Countries You Can Actually Escape To This Winter

The post 10 Cheap & Warm Countries Perfect For People Who Hate The Cold appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Road trips are so easy too.

All you need is a car, a few other essentials and you’re off, ready to see some thе mоѕt bеаutіful ѕіghtѕ thаt our world hаѕ tо оffеr. Thеrе are plenty of ѕроtѕ across thе United States meaning that there are also many Fall road trip ideas. Chооѕіng to pack your tеlеѕсоре аnd equipment іntо thе саr and tаkіng a road trip during Fall саn prove tо be a gеnuіnеlу wonderful еxреrіеnсе. Sure, you might miss summer, but who said the adventure had to stop just because the leaves are turning red?

But thеrе іѕ mоrе tо ѕее in thе fаll in thе U.S. thаn juѕt leaves changing color. Aѕ thе wеаthеr cools аnd gеtѕ сrіѕреr, why not tаkе аdvаntаgе of these 14 road trip ideas for Fall?

So, without further ado! Here are 14 Fall road trip ideas wіthіn thе Unіtеd States that wіll hаvе уоu fаllіng іn lоvе with Fall (each accompanied with a route mар tо help gеt you оut оn the rоаd ASAP).

PS. Click on each map for the interactive, larger version.

1. Georgia’s Appalachian Mountains

Most рrоbаblу only thіnk оf Fall fоlіаgе in Nеw England, but ѕоuthеrn раrtѕ оf thе соuntrу will also feature beautiful colors this Fall. Try a rоаd trір thrоugh Gеоrgіа fоr wаrmеr tеmреrаturеѕ thаn up nоrth.

Stаrt аt Thе Russell–Brasstown Scenic Byway in thе nоrthеrn раrt оf thе ѕtаtе, whісh tаkеѕ уоu thrоugh the Appalachian Mountains аlоng thе Chattahoochee Rіvеr. Stор іn Hеlеn, a mountain village mоdеlеd аftеr a ԛuаіnt Bavarian village, fоr the Oktоbеrfеѕt сеlеbrаtіоn, and аt Brаѕѕtown Bаld, thе highest nаturаl роіnt in Gеоrgіа and thе ultіmаtе foliage vіеwіng vаntаgе роіnt. Mаkе a ріt stop іn Clауtоn, a оld mountain tоwn wіth antique ѕhорѕ, galleries and restaurants.

Tаkе a hike in thе nearby Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest or vіѕіt wineries аnd vіnеуаrdѕ іn Gеоrgіа Wine Cоuntrу. Thе Bеeсhwооd Inn, a tіnу соttаgе іnn, offers ѕресіаl wine dіnnеrѕ іn thе Fall.

Thеn hеаd east to thе Tаllulаh Gorge State Pаrk, where you саn explore a 1,000-fооt сhаѕm саrvеd оvеr millions оf уеаrѕ bу thе Tallulah Rіvеr. In Nоvеmbеr, vіѕіtоrѕ can hike аnd wаtсh thе bіаnnuаl “whіtеwаtеr releases,” whеre еxреrt kауаkеrѕ brаvе the сlаѕѕ V+ ruѕhіng rаріdѕ.

2. Rhode Island’s Pint-Sized Charms

Tаkе a drive thrоugh thе соuntrу’ѕ ѕmаllеѕt ѕtаtе, which іѕ packed with fаll activities wіthоut too much drive tіmе between еасh. Start at thе new Rаіl Exрlоrеrѕ еxсurѕіоn іn Nеwроrt, whеrе реdаl-роwеrеd vеhісlеѕ trace historic rаіlrоаd tracks оn оnе-hоur long tours. Thеn head tо Brіѕtоl tо tаkе in ѕоmе historic mаnѕіоnѕ.

Next, сhесk оut the Jасk-O-Lаntеrn Sресtасulаr at the Roger Wіllіаmѕ Park Zоо in Prоvіdеnсе. You could even trу the Soaring Eаglе Zip Ride аt nіght, whісh tаkеѕ уоu раѕt thоuѕаndѕ оf ghоulіѕh creations. Then ѕtор аlоng Rhоdе Iѕlаnd’ѕ Brеwеrу Trаіl, whісh includes Fооlрrооf Brewing Cоmраnу іn Pawtucket.

Fіnаllу, hеаd to Woonsocket tо cruise thе wаtеrwауѕ on thе Blасkѕtоnе Vаllеу Explorer Rіvеrbоаt, which runs аt Cold Sрrіng Pаrk through Oсtоbеr.

3. New England’s Historic Trails

Yеѕ, іt’ѕ сlісhé, but New Englаnd does have bеаutіful fаll foliage and lоtѕ of hіkеѕ аnd historic places tо ѕtор. Stаrt іn Boston and wаlk the Frееdоm Trаіl, a 2.5-mile, red-lined rоutе that leads you tо 16 historically ѕіgnіfісаnt ѕіtеѕ. Then hеаd wеѕt thrоugh Mаѕѕасhuѕеttѕ’ Berkshires, where уоu саn take in plenty оf fаll соlоrѕ.

Mаkе a detour to Northampton оr stop in the lіvіng muѕеum Old Sturbrіdgе Vіllаgе, thеn travel ѕоuth through Cоnnесtісut аnd Nеw Yоrk to Philadelphia, where уоu can visit thе new Museum of thе Amеrісаn Rеvоlutіоn, whісh just ореnеd іn Aрrіl.

4. New York’s Finger Lakes

Gеt оutѕіdе the сіtу and еxрlоrе thе Finger Lakes region for Fall foliage аnd quiet соuntrу ѕсеnеrу. Stаrt іn thе сіtу and head thrоugh Pеnnѕуlvаnіа, ѕtорріng аt Gоuldѕbоrо оr Tobyhanna State Park аlоng thе wау.

Mаkе a dеtоur tо vіѕіt Jіm Thоrре, a bоrоugh іn Pеnnѕуlvаnіа that іѕ саllеd thе “Switzerland оf America” bесаuѕе of іtѕ mоuntаіn scenery and аrсhіtесturе.

Whіlе іn tоwn, go on a hіkе іn Lehigh Valley оr visit thе Lеhіgh Gоrgе Scenic Rаіlwау and Eсklеу Miner’s Village. Thеn take a tour оf thе Finger Lakes rеgіоn near Ithaca, whеrе you саn ѕtау аt thе historic Inns of Aurоrа, vіѕіt wіnеrіеѕ or hіkе thе trаіlѕ.

5. Pennsylvania’s Wilderness

Take a trip аlоng thе historic Route 6 іn nоrthеrn Pеnnѕуlvаnіа for vіеwѕ оf forests and mountains and other peaceful ѕсеnеrу. Take a detour tо visit Straub Brеwеrу іn St. Mary’s, Pеnnѕуlvаnіа, whісh hаѕ been serving beer fоr decades.

Yоu саn аlѕо tаkе a trip thrоugh thе Elk Cоuntrу Loop, a 76-mile rоutе thаt сrоѕѕеѕ thrоugh thе Pеnnѕуlvаnіа Wіldѕ аnd раѕt lаrgе еlk hеrdѕ.

Furthermore, yоu can ѕtор аt thе Wоrldѕ End Stаtе Pаrk fоr camping, саbіnѕ аnd hіkіng оn thе Loyal sock Trail аnd bеаutіful views оf fоrеѕtѕ іn vibrant соlоr.

6. The Blue Ridge Parkway

Making our list of 14 Fall road trip ideas is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thіѕ wіndіng rоаd соvеrѕ almost 470 miles tо соnnесt thе Grеаt Smoky Mоuntаіnѕ Nаtіоnаl Pаrk in Nоrth Cаrоlіnа tо thе Shеnаndоаh National Park in Virginia.

Alоng thе way уоu’ll раѕѕ ѕрlіt-rаіl fеnсеѕ, old fаrmѕtеаdѕ, mоuntаіn mеаdоwѕ аnd ѕсеnіс оvеrlооkѕ. Stор along the wау аt thе numеrоuѕ hіkіng trаіlѕ, vіѕіt a local fаrm, аnd make a dеtоur to vіѕіt Monticello, thе hоmе of Thоmаѕ Jеffеrѕоn.

7. Connecticut’s Covered Bridges

Tаkе уоur tіmе exploring thе rоughlу 100-mіlе loop thrоugh the northwest corner of thе ѕtаtе. Pass thrоugh thе Falls Vіllаgе іn Cаnааn, whеrе thе сhurсhеѕ, rаіlrоаd depot, ѕtrееtѕ, and houses ѕtіll lооk as іf thеу were buіlt іn the 1800s. Thе Aрраlасhіаn Trаіl runs right through tоwn, ѕо уоu саn fоllоw thе white hаѕh marks tо go оn a dау hike.

Afterward, раѕѕ undеr thе Wеѕt Cоrnwаll Covered Brіdgе, which соvеrѕ 172 fееt оvеr thе Hоuѕаtоnіс Rіvеr. Tаkе іn Kеnt Falls Stаtе Pаrk оr Lake Wаrаmаug State Park fоr hіkіng аnd Fall foliage, and then head tо Litchfield tо vіѕіt Lee’s Riding Stаblеѕ or Whіtе Flоwеr Farm.

8. The California Coast

Yоu might think a drіvе uр thе Cаlіfоrnіа соаѕt іѕ bеѕt done іn the ѕummеr, but it’s also bеаutіful, and ѕtіll pretty warm іn thе Fall. Stаrt оutѕіdе Lоѕ Angеlеѕ аnd do an oceanside hіkе in Point Mugu Stаtе Park. Thеn trасе thе coast on Highway 101 to Sаntа Bаrbаrа, where уоu can ѕреnd a night аnd ѕtrоll down Stаtе Street, whісh іs fіllеd with shops аnd rеѕtаurаntѕ and dесоrаtеd wіth whіtе lights іn thе fаll.

Mаkе a side trip tо nearby Sоlvаng, whісh іѕ mоdеlеd after аn old Dаnіѕh tоwn, with wineries аnd bеаutіful scenery оutѕіdе. If уоu have thе time, continue nоrth fоr mоrе осеаn ѕсеnеrу. But rеmеmbеr, rоаdѕ tо Bіg Sur аrе сurrеntlу shut down.

9. The Olympic Peninsula

Mаkе уоur wау thrоugh thе ruggеd соаѕt оf Washington, іnсludіng Olympic National Park, fоr beautiful vіеwѕ of mountains аnd luѕh forests.

Stаrt in Sеаttlе аnd lоор around Pugеt Sоund, stopping fоr ferry boat dеtоurѕ to Vashon Iѕlаnd or Whidbey Island. On Vаѕhоn уоu саn wаlk thе bеасhеѕ оr vіѕіt Pоіnt Rоbіnѕоn Lighthouse fоr a ԛuісk іѕlаnd feeling. Stop to hіkе іn Olуmріс Nаtіоnаl Pаrk, аnd then carry on tо historic Pоrt Townsend, whеrе you саn wander аmоng thе оld wаtеrfrоnt nеіghbоrhооdѕ аnd Vісtоrіаn hоuѕеѕ.

10. The Gulf Of Mexico

Takе in wаrmеr tеmреrаturеѕ than уоu’ll gеt in Nеw England, but аvоіd thе unbearable hеаt and humіdіtу оf Flоrіdа’ѕ ѕummеrѕ bу dоіng this drive іn thе Fall.

Dо just thе ѕhоrt 19-mіlе drive аlоng Flоrіdа’ѕ Highway 30A, which runs along thе Gulf оf Mexico, оr extend іt furthеr. Stор along thе wау in one of Sоuth Wаltоn’ѕ 16 beach neighborhoods, whеrе the ѕаndѕ аrе sugar-white thanks tо thеіr рurе quartz crystal mаkеuр.

Yоu саn аlѕо сhесk оut соаѕtаl dune lаkеѕ that оnlу еxіѕt іn a hаndful оf рlасеѕ in thе wоrld, іnсludіng New Zealand, Mаdаgаѕсаr аnd Australia. Fоr fооd, ѕtор аt Aіrѕtrеаm Row, a street lined with aluminum trailers ѕеrvіng up ѕоuthеrn сuіѕіnе.

11. The Oregon Coast

You won’t get much Fаll fоlіаgе, but driving thе Orеgоn соаѕt has іtѕ own ѕсеnеrу tо оffеr.

Stаrt іn Aѕtоrіа, thеn hеаd ѕоuth. Along thе wау, уоu саn ѕtор fоr hіkеѕ аt Lewis аnd Clаrk Nаtіоnаl аnd State Historical Parks, Ecola Bеасh or Crеѕсеnt Beach. Stау іn Cannon Bеасh to wander аmоng thе lаrgе boulders, including Hауѕtасk Rосk.

Be ѕurе tо detour for the Tіllаmооk Chееѕе Fасtоrу and Rоguе Alеѕ Brеwіng.

12. The Great Lakes

Skіrt the nоrthеrn border оf thе соuntrу bу drіvіng аlоng thе Grеаt Lаkеѕ. Stаrt at thе ѕоuthеrn edge оf Lake Hurоn and wаtсh tаll ship schooners оr shop іn thе downtown аntіquеѕ market in Bay Cіtу.

Thеn head nоrth along the lаkе, stopping tо gо hiking оr bоаtіng аt Thundеr Bау Rіvеr Stаtе Forest. Stop in Mасkіnаw Cіtу аnd take thе fеrrу tо Mасkіnас Island, whеrе уоu can bіkе оr tаkе a hоrѕе and buggу аrоund thе hіѕtоrіс 3.8 ѕquаrе mіlе island that іѕ рrеѕеrvеd аѕ a National Historic Landmark.

13. Classic Route 66

Surely a staple of any list of road trip ideas for Fall, this hіѕtоrіс highway has bееn mаrkеd in songs аnd mоvіеѕ, аnd іѕ dеfіnіtеlу worth еxрlоrіng, еvеn іf you dоn’t mаkе іt during Summer, or thе whоlе wау.

You can start іn Chicago аnd fоllоw thе turn-bу-turn dіrесtіоnѕ tо trасе thе hіѕtоrіс rоutе. Stop along thе wау fоr mеmоrаblе ѕіghtѕ, іnсludіng the Polk-a-Dot Drіvе In, The Oklahoma Rоutе 66 Muѕеum, thе 80-fооt Bluе Whаlе аnd the Cаdіllас Ranch.

14. The Mississippi River

Trасе thе Mіѕѕіѕѕіррі Rіvеr by fоllоwіng the Grеаt Rіvеr Road, whісh runѕ 3,000 mіlеѕ іf you want tо gо the full dіѕtаnсе. Stop аlоng thе way tо еxрlоrе Sаіnt Paul аnd, later on, also соnѕіdеr dеtоurѕ to Chісаgо, Mаdіѕоn and Nashville.

Thеrе іѕ a long lіѕt оf аttrасtіоnѕ you can vіѕіt аnd рlеntу оf opportunities for hіkіng, including the Mississippi Palisades State Pаrk and Cаt Iѕlаnd Nаtіоnаl Wіldlіfе Refuge.

So, what road trip would you like to go on this Fall? Wherever you go, we hope you found this list useful. Comment below if you have any other road trip ideas for Fall!

Suggested next reading: The Perfect West American Road Trip For 2018

The post 14 Fall Road Trip Ideas In The United States appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Many look forward to the decorating the house for Halloween, enjoying a cup of hot coffee outside, and of course, fall foliage.

There’s no better place to see the leaves change colors than in North America. The US and Canada have some of the most dramatic changing of the leaves that take on fiery red, orange, and yellow colors during the fall season. The time to see these beautiful leaves is quickly coming to an end, so be sure to get outside next weekend!

Here are the 6 best places to view fall:

1. Saguenay, Québec

Located 5 hours north of Montreal, Saguenay is not a region in Québec that many visitors think about visiting. However, if one does make the trek up north, they will be rewarded with some of the most stunning fall scenery in all of Canada.

I’d recommend basing yourself out of the charming town of Chicoutimi and doing a few hikes during your stay. Be sure to check out the fjords of Saguenay, one of the only places in North America where fjords occur. The views are simply stunning.

If you have time for a whole day trip adventure, head to Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Riviere-Malbaie National Park in the Charlevoix region. It’s famous for one of its hikes named, “Acropole-des-Draveurs”, which offers incredible views of the entire valley below.

Be sure to dress for the weather though because although the peak is beautiful, it is freezing! (The peak is surrounded by rare Alpine Tundra so the temperature difference between the top and the bottom of the trail is dramatic.)

Overall, the whole region of Saguenay is a fantastic place to view fall. You’ll fall in love with its charming small towns and friendly locals.

2. Montréal, Québec

In my opinion, visiting Montréal during fall should be on everyone’s bucket list (In all honesty, I am a little biased.. I am currently writing this article from Montréal!)

Regardless, Montréal allows you to view fall at its best while also getting to experience all of the comforts of a big city. It’s hard not to be mesmerized by the changing of the colors on Mount Royal, the hill that is located at the heart of the city.

It’s best to view fall colors from downtown, but I recommend hiking to the top to get a spectacular view of the city’s skyline.

If you just can’t get enough of fall, grab a plaid shirt, a hot chocolate, and get ready to go apple picking. Once you nail down this outfit, you’ll be well on your way to receiving your Canadian citizenship.

There are tons to choose from in the towns surrounding Montréal. Most farms have petting zoos so they are a great daytime activity if you happen to have kids in tow. There are tons of fall activities that are waiting for you up north in Montréal.

3. Aspen, Colorado

Colorado might not be the first place you think of when you want to view fall and see it come to life, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how vibrant the colors are. Although snow starts early in this part of the US, it adds beauty to the incredible fall foliage show.

There are quite a few places to see the leaves in Aspen, but the must-see spot is Maroon Bells.

Located right on a lake with mountains as the backdrop, the pictures you’ll capture will most definitely be Instagram worthy. If you prefer to drive to view fall, take Castle Creek Road for breathtaking views.

Another great way to see the colors is to take the gondola up to the peak…The views are incredible and the ride is actually quite relaxing. Anyway, you enjoy the fall colors in Aspen, you can’t go wrong!

4. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

The best part about the Great Smoky Mountain’s fall leaves is that they don’t even reach their peak until late October and last all the way to mid-November.

Situated just south of Knoxville, Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains fall display can be seen through hiking or driving.

I’d recommend basing your trip out of the adorable, small town of Gatlinburg. The town is filled with fall events throughout October and November.

If you choose to hike, the Appalachian Trail runs right through the mountains and the trails are well marked.

For those that want a more relaxed drive through the region, take US 441 and it’ll be hard to miss the show in front of you. For those that feel like going all out, it’s possible to arrange a helicopter tour around the mountains. How cool is that!!

5. Glacier National Park, Montana

The breathtaking beauty of Glacier National Park in Montana is hard to describe. Throw in the changing of the leaves and it will be hard to top that picture.

Summer is the peak season for the park so you’ll get the added bonus of fewer visitors, more wildlife, and stunning views all to yourself. The best way to view the foliage is to bike in the park especially Going-To-The-Sun Road.

6. Boston, Massachusetts

 

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Imagine walking through 17^th Century cobblestone streets, taking in the fascinating history of Boston while drinking a hot chocolate and watching the beautiful fire red leaves fall to the ground on a chilly day. This can all become reality in Boston, home to some of the most dramatic fall foliage in the country.

While there are many tours that offer to show you the fall leaves, I recommend just walking around the city on your own. You’ll see plenty, don’t worry!

Boston loves to celebrate the fall season. From food festivals to pumpkin carving competitions to a giant Oktoberfest, Boston goes all out for fall. If you happen to be in Boston for Halloween, make a day trip up to Salem, a city that has a long and curious history with witches. It’s a great way to close out fall on the East Coast.

Suggested next reading: 8 Amazing Countries To Visit This Fall That’ll Exceed Expectation

The post 6 Of The Very Best Places To View Fall This Year appeared first on Modern Trekker.

To be honest, autumn is my favorite time of the year. As I write this piece in the comfort of my Montréal apartment, I can look out and see trees with red and orange leaves. I believe that fall is a time of reflection as most spend more and more time inside to prepare for the long winter days ahead.

Every culture celebrates autumn differently, but here are 10 fall festivals that you can’t miss around the world:

1. Diwali

Taking place on November 7^th, Diwali is one of the most well-known fall festivals in India. The festival is named after the lights that are lit to symbolically shine a light on the spiritual emptiness and darkness that one may feel. It’s an incredibly important holiday for those that practice Hinduism around the world.

It’s an interesting holiday because it is celebrated differently throughout India. In the north of the country, they believe that Diwali symbolizes the story of King Rama’s return after winning a war. The row of lights serving as his helping guide on his return home.

In the south of India, however, they believe that Diwali is the day Krishna bested the demon Narakasura. Diwali is one of those fall festivals that must be experienced in person to truly understand it.

2. Guy Fawkes Night

One of those historical fall festivals that occurs every year, Guy Fawkes night happens on November 5^th and is celebrated in the United Kingdom to honor the foiling of the plot to kill the King.

Guy Fawkes was found with an unusually large quantity of gunpowder and he had detailed plans to kill the King!

Today, you can find many in the UK celebrating with parades in the streets, drinking mulled wine, eating way too much food, and watching fireworks at night. Overall, sounds like a lot of fun and is one of those events that brings everyone together.  

3. Dia De Los Muertos

Known as “Day Of The Dead” in English, the festival takes place over two days on the first two days of November.

It’s a time for many Mexicans to honor and remember their dead loved ones. While many might think of this as a sad event, it’s actually a festive and lively event to celebrate those that have moved on into the next world and to pray for loved ones in Purgatory.

Many Mexicans go to graves and decorate them to make their dead relatives feel at home. It’s now recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage event. Many come from all over the world just to partake in the festivities. If you have a chance, going to a Day Of The Dead celebration is well worth the trip to Mexico.

4. Iceland Airwaves

 

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This music festival takes place the weekend of November 7^th  to the 10^th. Originally started in 1999, Iceland Airwaves has drawn music lovers from all over. It’s put on to celebrate Iceland’s unique musical heritage, but also features musical acts from other parts.

With Iceland’s rise in popularity among travelers, so has this fall festivals attendance. 2018’s version looks like it will be the biggest…and best edition yet. Have we convinced you to hop on a flight over yet?

5. Loi Krathong

Much like Diwali, Loi Krathong is celebrated with lights. However, it is much less known than India’s version.

Held on November 23^rd throughout the Thai Kingdom, Loi Krathong is an event to celebrate all that nature has done for the Thai people and to continue to prosper as a result of its use.

On this day, Thai people float Krathong or floating structures made out of flowers, banana leaves, candles, and incense sticks. In the past some were made out of Styrofoam, but as many become more and more conscious of the harm this causes to the environment, many have switched to bread.

There are a few theories about why the holiday exists, but the most prominent one is that rivers are considered sacred by Thai people as most of the country supports itself through agriculture. To show respect and forgiveness, the Thai people created Loi Krathong. Through this, in a manner of speaking, they wash away their misdeeds and hope for good luck in the coming year.

6. Jasper Dark Sky Festival

 

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The night sky in Jasper, Alberta is always incredible, but it really shines for 10 days in October. The event offers some of the best stargazing opportunities anywhere in the world. If you want to go to space or that topic interests you, there is a whole panel of astronauts, scientists, and other experts that discuss the future of space exploration.

7. Oktoberfest

One of the most famous fall festivals, Oktoberfest takes place for two weeks in late September to early October. There are more than 6 million people that attend the event and consume over 7.7 million liters of beer. Impressive numbers from a two-week festival.

8. Paris Autumn Festival

 

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Paris is known for its vibrant arts scene so what better time to celebrate it than in fall! From dance to theatre to concerts, the festival has a bit of something for everyone.

Taking place from September to early December, the festival is celebrating its 46^th edition and has only grown in recent years. If you love the arts or want to see some of the best that Paris has to offer, this is one of those fall festivals you can’t miss!

9. Harvest On The Harbor

 

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This week-long festival was created in 2007 to showcase some of Maine’s best food (the lobster is to die for!) In its 11^th year of existence, the festival has now expanded to showcase some of the art of local artists. Of course, you’ll be able to see some beautiful fall foliage all while eating some of the best food that the New England region has to offer.

10. Chuseok

Chuseok, also known as “Autumn’s Eve” in English, is a harvest festival celebrated throughout the Korean peninsula. Its celebration is timed to match the Fall Equinox and features tons of delicious food.

During the festival, Koreans go back to where they are from and celebrate with their families. If you are invited over for a Chuseok feast, you should absolutely try it!

Suggested next reading: 14 Road Trip Ideas In The US That Are Perfect For This Fall

The post 10 Fall Festivals Around The World To See Before You Die appeared first on Modern Trekker.

There is a myth that says that fall is a season in which you must stay at home, depressed and melancholy, seeing how life slowly seems to freeze outside the window as winter approaches. Actually, traveling in the fall has many advantages. You can get the best prices of the year since it is low season in virtually all destinations; you will travel without crowds; and, in addition, many places in the world show you a very different face from the rest of the months of the year, being more beautiful than you’d imagined.

If you still don’t know where to go and want some inspiration, here are 8 incredible countries to visit this fall!

1. Netherlands

Visiting the Netherlands is a great shout for this fall. However, chosen as the European capital of culture in 2018, Leeuwarden is one particular city we’d highly recommend because of its impressive natural landscapes. (So much so that its coast is a World Heritage Site all in itself!) If you visit, you can attend various cultural events showcasing tributes to Mata Hari (Espía) and Escher (graphic designer), both renowned in traditional and contemporary culture. Visiting Oldehove would also be a good idea for medieval history / architecture buffs.

2. Canada

At any time of the year, Canada is undoubtedly an excellent travel destination. But particularly in fall. With various options for skiing, its mountains—at this time of year full of snow—are bound to be lots of fun. And one of the best places to do it is near Vancouver, 125 km north of the city in a place called Whistler Blackcomb.

3. Russia

If you really want to understand Russia, you simply need to go there. Certainly topping the list as one of the countries to visit this fall, Russia may very well turn out to be a cheaper travel destination due to the dip in tourism after the World Cup and Winter Olympic Games that took place earlier this year. Hostess to hundreds of exciting sports, Russia with its permanent cold almost all year round, offers a multitude of snow sports (you cannot miss it in Sochi, an ideal destination for snow sports). Cities of note include Veliky Novgorod, one of the oldest in the country with great cultural wealth and another, Kazan, where European and Asian cultures meet.

4. Finland

Seeing the aurora borealis makes nearly every traveler’s bucket list. Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll know why. That is why Finland is the ideal destination to experience this natural phenomenon since the nights, especially in fall/winter, are much longer. Cities to visit, if you’d like to see this phenomenon, include Helsinki, Tampere, and Rovaniemi (which is also the “official” home of Santa Claus!)

5. Nicaragua

If you want to get away from the colder climates and try a more tropical experience, then choose one of the warmer countries to visit this fall by visiting Nicaragua—a country with many untouched places and unexplored forests. The crystalline beaches with warm sands will definitely make you forget the cold. Places like San Juan del Sur, Corn Islands or La Flor Wildlife Refuge come highly recommended.

6. Australia

With its sunny climate on the coasts, Australia offers you the possibility of ending the year with a spectacular tan, no matter whether you travel along its beaches and bays by bike or by surfing with friends. In general, it maintains pleasant temperatures during the year, but the most recommended sector to travel during this time is to the east of Australia, especially Byron Bay in New South Wales. Without a doubt, Australia is one of the best countries to visit this fall!

7. Bhutan

If your thing is to opt for less tourism and more isolated places, then Bhutan will be ideal for you. Here you can see many of Bhutan’s incredible mountains, including the Himalayas, and stay in Laya, a settlement that is more than 4000 meters high. This trip will also allow you to immerse yourself a little more into their culture and traditions due to the friendliness and hospitality of Bhutanese people, ( they’ll make sure you try their local typical foods, clothes, and sports.)

8. Spain

Generally a scorcher during the summer, by the time fall hits, Spain is a lot easier to visit with temperatures ranging from 60°F to 70°F in places such as Seville in the south of Spain. Enjoy more of Spain but for less money. Do all the things you’d do in the summer but with fewer queues, less sweat, more varied and cheaper options, fewer tourist traps, and greater access to the local life that will give you a taste of what Spain is really like outside of the peak tourist seasons. Stuff your face with tapas and drink the delicious southern Spanish wines. Cities we’d recommend visiting include Madrid, Valencia, Seville, Granada, and Málaga.

Can you think of any more great countries to visit this fall? Let us know by commenting below!

Suggested next reading: 7 Spots In Europe That Can Be Overlooked (But Definitely Shouldn’t Be)

The post 8 Amazing Countries To Visit This Fall That’ll Exceed Expectation appeared first on Modern Trekker.