Day of the Dead souvenirs in Oaxaca, Mexico. (Photo: Oana Dragan/G Adventures)
Celebrate Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico
Late October brings the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico. A visit here is an incredible way to experience this Mexican celebration of love and loss through fireworks, processions, and music. The holiday originated thousands of years ago, first celebrated by the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people.
An African Elephant walks through the reception area of the Mfuwe Lodge in South Luangwa National Park. (Photo: Barcroft Media/Getty Images)
Commune with Nature in Zambia
Autumn is the perfect season to visit Zambia, when wildlife is gathered around rivers and waterholes. For something special, Mfuwe Lodge offers a unique experience. A small heard of elephants often sweeps through the lodge on its way to feast on mango. This, in addition to iconic sites like Victoria Falls, makes Zambia a must-visit destination.
The Vougeot Castle sits in a colorful landscape beyond a vineyard in Burgundy, France. (Photo: Matteo Colombo, Getty Images)
Relax in French Wine Country
For some, it doesn’t get any more relaxing than kicking back with a glass of wine. And as temperatures cool in France, the wine region of Burgundy makes the fall travel list. The grape harvest kicks off in mid-September, with many towns organizing festivals filled with food, wine, music, and workshops.
The mountain village of Parthenonas is seen through neighboring olive trees, which are ready for harvest in the fall. (Photo: Berthold Steinhilber, Laif/Redux)
Get Your Hands Dirty in Greece
A visit to Greece is well worth the trip, whether you decide to revel in the history of ancient Athens or get your hands dirty. Many agritourism businesses allow visitors to come work during the olive harvest, giving you an inside look at what goes on during the olive oil making process.
The Taj Mahal. (Photo: Jonathan Irish/National Geographic Expeditions)
Lose Yourself in India During the Festival of Lights
Fall brings Diwali to India. The Hindu festival of lights signifies the triumph of light over darkness and is a sight to behold, as light up lamps called diya outside their homes. National Geographic specifically recommends Jaipur for the celebration, with its half-submerged water palace in Man Sagar Lake.
A street market with stalls full of food stays busy in Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam. (Photo: Elena Aleksandrovna Ermakova, Getty Images)
Eat Your Way Through Vietnam
If you’re heading to Vietnam, be sure to bring your appetite. From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll find incredible specialties from pho to hu tieu noodles that will make your mouth water. And with plenty of Vietnamese coffee, you’ll be alert for any activity that comes your way, including strolling the country’s markets and food vendors.
Images via National Geographic Travel’s Best Fall Trips 2017. My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by National Geographic.
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