As summer winds down, there’s no need to tuck away your passport. In fact, the fall season offers all sorts of different adventures, from traipsing across the vineyards in France to experiencing the wonders of the United States National Parks. In the spirit of autumnal travel, National Geographic Travel has released their list of best fall trips 2017.
The list includes far off exotic locations, as well as local adventures, all inspired by National Geographic Expeditions and Lodges. Let’s take a look at what’s on the top of the list for fall 2017, and for full details visit National Geographic Travel.
The constitution designates that 60 percent of the country remain under forest cover. In between your wooded explorations, explore the Taktsang Palphug Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. (Photo: Sean Caffrey, Getty Images)
Revel in Bhutan’s Sacred Rituals
With its eco-friendly constitution and measurements of gross national happiness, a trip to the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan can’t help but be enlightening. Annual festivals—Thimphu Tshechu and the Black-Necked Crane Festival—in October and November make fall a great time to visit the country, which only opened its doors to outsiders in the 1970s.
Spend endless hours exploring the coral reef that dominates the waters around Lizard Island, home to one of our Unique Lodges of the World. (Photo: Oliver Lucanus/Minden Pictures)
Enjoy Land and Sea in Australia
When spending time Down Under, hit up the Great Barrier Reef or ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway through a rainforest. Either way, you’ll be experiencing something uniquely Australian. You may want to splurge with a stay on Lizard Island, which James Cook named after its abundance of monitor lizards. Between famous diving sites and 24 beaches, you can’t go wrong.
The Virgin River flows through Zion National Park in Utah, one of many national parks worth exploring during this colorful season. (Photo: Manuel Sulzer, Getty Images)
Explore the Wilderness in U.S. and Canada National Parks
With foliage changing colors and temperatures dropping to comfortable levels, autumn is the perfect time to explore the U.S. National Parks. And, up in Canada, there’s an even better reason to visit. In celebration of the country’s 150th birthday, Canada is granting free entry to all its national parks throughout the year.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is certainly an efficient way to get to the top for this epic view, so be sure to spend time at the top soaking in the full range of views. (Photo: Neil Austin, Getty Images)
Experience Something for Everyone in Cape Town, South Africa
More than ever with the opening of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Cape Town has something for everyone. Adventure seekers will want to rappel down Table Mountain, while animal lovers will want to spend some time penguin watching on Boulders Beach.