Why Fall Is The Best Season For Travel

It's the middle of October and fall is in full swing. Halloween is almost here and we still have other festive holidays to look forward to, all while the slight scent of mulled cider wafts through the house. Although I hate leaving home during this, my most favorite season, it is actually a fantastic time to travel. Here are just a few reasons why autumn is the best season to hit the open road.

Off-season

Nearly every so-called travel expert will tell you that the best time of year to travel is the off-season, and they're right. Off-season dates vary by destination, but in plain English it's when popular places see their lowest number of visitors. This means that everything from airfare to hotels and even meals are cheaper than during the high period. Not only will you save some money, but the overall experience will be so much better. A few years ago I spent some time in Venice around Christmas. Sure, it was cold, but I was practically alone in some of the most famous parts of town. This is literally unheard of during the summer months and the experience was a lot more intimate and personal as a result. Fall is generally the off-season in most places around the world, so take advantage of it!

Generally good weather

This obviously varies by destination, but in general the weather is ok almost anywhere you want to travel. It's right before Europe starts to get cold and rainy and if you're looking at the Southern Hemisphere, it's the middle of spring, a lovely time to travel. Even here in the US it's generally a great weather time of year to play tourist. Hurricane season is over, it's not too hot and not too cold and most places won't have had their first snows yet. So pack a fleece and go out and enjoy this beautiful time of year.

Skip the holidays

A few years ago, my partner and I decided to try an experiment. We actually took a vacation over the Thanksgiving holiday. I know, I know, we're awful people, but the experience was actually a great one. We love our family, but once in a while it's nice to get away and Thanksgiving was the perfect time. We took a quick trip up to Canada, which was NOT observing a holiday, enjoyed low prices for airfare and hotels and had an overall great getaway. We've also done this over Christmas with similarly positive results. Just be careful not to do it every year for every holiday, or you may see some cranky cousins.

Other fall traditions

Fall is a generally festive time around the country and even the globe. Here in the US, there are hundreds (probably thousands) of fall-related festivals that are well worth a visit. Renaissance Faires, pumpkin festivals, harvest fairs, food and wine events you name it, and there's a place somewhere celebrating it. So do a little research and go enjoy a classic fall festival away from home.

Do you travel during the fall months? Where's your favorite place to go?

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.