Here are some of the best places to enjoy the glorious colours of autumn:
Prague, Czech Republic
One of the most attractive European cities visually creates a stunning autumnal colour display. The best places to visit include Petrin Hill and Letna Park with views of the city and river Vltava offering a chance to soak up the beautiful orange coloured trees. Culture, music and a wine festival run throughout the season, including a music festival that lasts for a month called the ‘Strings of Autumn’. Be sure to include a day trip to Karlsteijn Castle, to see the surrounding hillsides explode into colour.
Kyoto, Japan
The iconic Japanese cherry blossoms disappear from their fairy tale beauty in just a week, however the autumn foliage continues to be a spectacle for almost two months. Autumnal hues explode on the hillside north of Kyoto in mid-November. Some temples, such as the Kiyomizu-dera and Tenjuan illuminate the maple trees at night which then reflect in the ponds for a stunning effect.
New England, United States
One of the best places on the planet to see autumn erupts in early October in six of the north-eastern states of the US, against the background of white churches and red-roofed barns. Various colours ignite, from yellow (poplar, birch, elm) to red (dogwood, maple) and purple (sumac). Scenic Route 169 in Connecticut and Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts make fine autumn driving routes, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire are spectacular.
Cotswolds, England
Rolling, sheep-grazed farmland and honey-coloured cottages symbolize the best of the English countryside and when in the “season of mists and mellow fruit” the hillsides become scattered with orange and yellow. For stunning Autumn walks, head to the Cotswolds and Westonbirt Arboretum Nature Reserve, which has a great Japanese maple in a variety of colours. The famous gardens of Blenheim Palace also give a great view. Need some help with your own autumn trees? Contact a Bournemouth Tree Surgeon at a site like kieranboylandtreeservices.com
Lake Geneva, Switzerland
Steep vineyard terraces that rise from the shores of Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux are quite spectacular when the vines change to gold, but even better to see the season on the French Alps. Take the spectacular 32 kilometer Grande Traversee walking trail, or the shorter path at Viticole Parcours.
Moselle Valley, Germany
The steep valley dotted with villages and castles is always beautiful, but the vineyards are well known (being the oldest wine region in Germany) for being at their most spectacular in the Autumn. As an added bonus, the wine festival is staged throughout September in riverside towns such as Bernkastel-Kues and Winningen.
Montreal, Canada
Montreal from mid-September to early November is a great city to do what Canada calls “leaf peeping”, with almost every park providing an outstanding Autumnal show. A visit should include the excellent Montreal Botanical Garden, the wooded hills of Mount Royal Park and the Bois-de-Liesse Park. Even the old port area explodes in the oranges and yellows of the roadside trees.
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