Where to Travel in October: 6 Colorful & Cozy Locales
Aspen, Colorado
The Rocky Mountain State is renowned for its breathtaking display of Aspens that blanket the mountains with amazing hues of vivid yellows and golden bronze shades. There are few better places to experience it than along the road to Independence Pass, which leads to the posh mountain town of Aspen.
The highest paved pass in North America, it peaks at over 12,000 feet above sea level, the dramatic mountain peaks rising into the nearly-always bright blue skies above a jaw-dropping array of fall colors.
Bavaria, Germany
Southern Germany hosts some of Europe’s most impressive scenery. In the fall, the nearly endless Alpine forests pop with brilliant hues against mountains dusted with snow.
Bavaria is somewhat the “Vermont of Europe” when it comes to the number of deciduous trees, where around every corner it feels as if you’ve stepped into a different Bob Ross painting. Of course, this is also the time for Oktoberfest and plenty of wine festivals, as well as being an ideal season for hiking through the Alps and taking romantic horse-drawn carriage rides.
And the castles! You can visit some 25 historic castles and palaces here, such as the legendary Neuschwanstein Castle that was named after Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle, Linderhof Palace, Nuremberg Castle and the Burghausen Castle, all surrounded by magnificent foliage.
Looking to get away for a weekend? This guide to Amsterdam weekend breaks will help you plan the ultimate two- or three-day vacation to this beautiful city.
Leavenworth, Washington
Looking for a taste of Bavaria but aren’t able to travel overseas? Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style town set within the eastern slopes of Washington State’s Cascade Mountains, makes for one of the best fall vacations in the Western United States due to its beautiful autumn colors — and festivals.
There are numerous fall foliage routes that start here, including Highway 2, which stretches all the way to the Greater Seattle area. Along this scenic drive you’ll be awed by the brilliant yellow trees that are reflected in Lake Wenatchee, just north of town.
By driving south on Highway 97, you’ll find the forests of Blewett Pass covered with vibrant red huckleberry bushes, aspens and cottonwoods. October features its world-famous Oktoberfest, held throughout much of the month.
