Each fall around the globe, destinations come alive in ways that are unique to the season, from special events to spectacular scenery. Plus, summer crowds tend to thin out, and, in some places, peak-season prices dip. Here’s where to travel in the fall.

• The Mediterranean: This sun-soaked region is one of the best places for fall vacations. Autumn mornings in countries like Italy and Greece can be crisp and cool, but days are warm enough for swimming and sunning on Greek islands like Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete, and along Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

  Travelers who book Food & Wine Tours in the fall can get their fill of wine, olives, truffles, and mushrooms during the region’s harvest season and festivals.

  Eyeing fall trips to Italy? Check out three reasons to visit Florence in the fall.

• U.S. National Parks: The U.S. is home to several dazzling national parks whose scenery ranges from towering, red rock formations to thundering waterfalls. Fall’s cooler temperatures make for comfortable outdoor exploring, and fiery foliage allows visitors to see some of the country’s most iconic landscapes in a colorful new way.

• Albuquerque: Every October, this New Mexico city hosts the world’s largest hot-air-balloon festival, making it one of the best fall vacation spots in the U.S. More than 500 giant, colorful balloons dot the sky above the Chihuahuan Desert’s rugged mountains, creating a one-of-a-kind, kaleidoscopic scene. Travelers can watch it unfold on our Albuquerque Balloon Festival & U.S. National Parks tour.

• Munich: Every year in September and October, Oktoberfest brings traditional music, dance, food, and beer—plus thousands of travelers from around the world—to this German city. Whether you’re a beer aficionado or simply love making friends with fellow travelers, Oktoberfest makes Munich one of the best places to travel in the fall.

• Spain: Spain makes our list of the best places for fall vacations for several reasons—fewer crowds and mild temperatures among them. Another reason to travel to Spain in the fall: the country’s seasonal food and cultural events. Seville plays host to Festival de las Naciones, a multi-cultural event highlighting music, food, and entertainment, in September, and Noche en Blanco, a contemporary art festival, every October.

• New England: The northeastern U.S. is one of our favorite fall getaways. In this region of the country, rolling hills, forested mountains, and jagged coastline burst to life each fall with shades of red, orange, and yellow. Travelers can take in the colorful scenery on our Fall Foliage Tour: Vermont to Massachusetts.

• Iceland: Travelers traditionally come to Iceland for sprawling glaciers, soaring volcanos, and roaring waterfalls, but it’s also one of the best places to travel in the fall thanks to the northern lights, or aurora borealis. The lights are at their most active from September through March, but you'll get the best show during the autumn equinox due to the tilt of the earth’s axis relative to the sun.

• Belize: The rainy season in Belize lasts from June through November, but travelers who visit during the fall will be treated to average afternoon temperatures in the 80s, not to mention fewer crowds. (Rain is typically limited to short-lived showers in the afternoon.) Local celebrations, such as Belize’s Independence Day, kick off in September, too, making this Caribbean country one of the best international fall vacations.

• Hawaii: Travelers planning trips in the fall might want to set their sights on Hawaii. High temperatures this time of year hover between 84 and 89; peak season’s crowds have long gone back home, and the Aloha State comes alive with food, coffee, and cultural festivals. Although it peaks in January and February, humpback whale season starts in November, so those who plan their fall vacations to Hawaii in November might just catch a glimpse of the awesome animals off shore.

Fall brings with it so many exciting experiences. Here are a few of our favorite activities to do on trips during the fall.

• Go leaf peeping. Hands down, enjoying colorful leaves is one of the most popular activities among travelers on fall trips. Travelers can enjoy autumn scenery on trips like our Fall Foliage Tour: Vermont to Massachusetts or Fall Foliage Tour: The Canadian Maritimes.
• Take a haunted Halloween tour.  Trips in the fall coincide with the season’s spookiest holiday. Travelers can see a scarier side of Britain and Ireland on our Haunted Halloween Tour: Dublin, Edinburgh & London.
• Experience harvest season. Italy, Spain, Greece, France, and Portugal are ideal fall travel destinations for food and wine enthusiasts. That’s because grapes, truffles, olives, and other tasty ingredients are harvested there during the season, and travelers on fall trips can try them at their freshest. Visit an olive oil farm on our Grand Tour of Spain during the fall to see how farmers pick the fleshy fruit and produce the golden oil. Or, if you love all things truffle, our Food & Wine: Northern Italy & the Alba Truffle Festival could be just the ticket.
• Go whale watching. Humpback whale season starts in Hawaii in November, and sightings of the creatures are at their peak in South Africa in September, making both appealing places for fall tours. In September, killer whales are plentiful in the waters around Vancouver.

What travelers pack for fall tours will depend largely on where they’re headed, as temperatures and climates vary around the world during that time of year. Here are a few essentials that will come in handy on any of our fall trips.

• Light layers. Lightweight sweaters, vests, and jackets will help you go from chilly mornings to warm afternoons comfortably.
• Your camera. Whether you decide to go whale watching in South Africa or leaf-peeping in New England, be sure to bring your favorite camera along so you don’t miss a single, jaw-dropping shot.
• An umbrella or raincoat. Travelers who book fall vacation packages in tropical destinations such as Belize should bring these items along to stay dry during afternoon showers.
• Travel-friendly wine sleeves. Wine lovers who book fall trips in Italy, Spain, France, and other wine-producing countries can bring bottles home safely with help from these padded, protective sleeves.
• A small backpack or tote bag. No matter which fall travel packages you’re considering, a small bag will keep personal items close, and your hands-free for picture taking, truffle tasting, and fun only-in-the-fall activities.