Autumn getaways to add to your bucket list

The Japanese have a term for the pursuit of autumn’s rich, earthy hues: momijigari, which translates to “hunting red leaves”. If you’re planning to get in on the action this season, our guide to the best autumn holidays will tell you where to catch the world’s most captivating changing leaves and indulge in the season’s culinary bounties. 

Kyoto, Japan

Come September, Japanese red maples transform Kyoto’s landscape into a wash of crimson and orange, framing famous temples like Kiyomizu-dera and Tofukuji. Grab your camera and head straight for the Philosopher’s Path, a tranquil, tree-lined river walk. Eikando Zenrinji Temple also bursts into colour at this time of year thanks to its numerous maple trees, while further afield in Arashiyama, the moss green Gio-ji Temple dons a citrus-hued blanket. 

Matsutake mushrooms become a staple across Kyoto’s seasonally focused restaurants. Foraged in the wild, they add a mouthwatering richness to rice dishes, tempura and more. Chestnuts – eaten roasted on their own or blended into desserts – also delight the senses with their warming nuttiness.

Where to stay: head to luxe ryokan KYOTO GENHOUIN, where private hot tubs look out onto sprawling gardens for your own private momijigari moment.  

Seoul, South Korea

South Korea’s fashionable capital explodes with lemon and butter tones this time of year, thanks to the towering ginkgo trees scattered across business districts, palaces and gardens. Known for their distinctively shaped leaves and pungent berries, the trees are so beloved that they’ve officially been named a symbol of Seoul.  

Leaf-hunting hotspots include the Deoksugung Stone Wall Road on Seoul’s northern outskirts and the sprawling urban Seoul Forest. Meanwhile, Seoul’s Olympic Park beckons not only with ginkgo-lined paths, but with stunning flower fields of mesmerising magenta muhly grass and kochia.

Chuseok, South Korea’s Mid-Autumn Festival, sees tables laden with seasonal dishes and produce: sweet stuffed songpyeon dumplings, taro soups, and fruits such as persimmons and jujubes. Much like Hong Kong’s hairy crab, blue crabs are abundant during this time, and they feature heavily on the menus of Seoul’s swishiest restaurants. 

Where to stay: experience traditional Korean architecture at Luxury Hanok Hotel DAAM, tucked away in a hanok home. It’s also just a stone’s throw from Gyeongbokgung Palace, where stunning gardens glow with an autumnal tint.

New York State, USA 

Venture beyond New York’s beating metropolis and you’ll be rewarded with corn fields, pumpkin patches and crimson trees. As crops ripen, local farms and spots including Apple Dave’s Orchard and Queen’s County Farm Museum throw open their gates for fun activities like apple picking, pumpkin carving and venturing into dizzying corn field mazes.  

Autumn foliage carpets the mountainous landscapes of the Adirondacks and Catskills, ideal for that American road trip you’ve been dreaming about. After basking in the stunning views, head back to the city for The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade : a larger-than-life event during which enormous floats and Broadway performers stream through the streets. 

Autumn showcases the best of American cooking, with seasonal ingredients inspiring dishes like spiced pumpkin pies, apple cider doughnuts and cornbread – many of which you’ll find on family Thanksgiving tables. 

Where to stay: Scandi minimalism meets rustic farmhouse at Inness, nestled between the trees of the Catskills. It’s the perfect base for hiking, swimming, golfing and more. 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

While spring tulips are Amsterdam’s biggest draw, its changing leaves in autumn are a close second. With over 400,000 trees lining the city’s canals and streets, it’s a magical time to do as the locals do and cycle beneath their russet branches. 

Culture vultures can make the most of their trip with the city’s Museum Night held in November, when 50 of the city’s institutions stay open till 2am. If you’re in the mood for a dance, world renowned DJs will also be in town for the Amsterdam Dance Event , during which electronic music takes over the town for five days straight. 

As the cold weather creeps in, comfort dishes become the go-to. Apple pies, served with a generous dollop of cream, make the most of the season’s produce, while the moreish split pea erwtensoep soup will warm you down to your toes. 

Where to stay: Located canal-side, you’ll be able to enjoy a bird’s eye view of autumn across the city or explore it on two wheels from Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Hotel.

Vancouver, Canada

Autumn morphs British Columbia into a riot of colours, with famed spots including Stanley Park, Trout Lake and Queen Elizabeth Park resembling postcards. Head to Vancouver’s botanical gardens to experience the hues in all their glory, especially Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Garden for its Mid-Autumn Festival festivities, and Nitobe Memorial Garden for the crimson Japanese maple leaves that scatter over still ponds. 

Fishing aficionados will want to head to the Sunshine Coast; numerous varieties of salmon migrate to its rivers, with boat companies offering day trips out onto the waters. Restaurants also celebrate this plethora with dishes of fresh salmon alongside prime sea urchin. In neighbouring areas, giant floating cranberry fields form a sea of bright crimson, ripe for the picking to be turned into jams, sauces and juices.

Where to stay: enjoy the comforts of home at O Canada House, a cosy B&B in a heritage Victorian building. Ask about the Garden Cottage, which opens onto the property’s shaded gardens. 

Barcelona, Spain

Delight in an extended summer in Barcelona, where warm temperatures last into October before breaking into rainier days in November. Vineyards bustle with activity as grapes are harvested, with spots such as historical Llopart inviting guests to enjoy bike rides and wine tastings. 

You can also opt for a day trip to the beech forests of La Fageda d’en Jordà in Girona, just an hour’s drive north of Barcelona, for an unforgettable autumnal experience. While some rain is to be expected, on wet days you can seek cover in one of Barcelona’s many museums for an artsy excursion.

Catalan food embraces a cornucopia of autumn ingredients: mushroom-hunting boletaires head out to forage for wild mushrooms like rovellons and chanterelles, while chestnuts and sweet potatoes can be found charred to perfection at roadside stalls or in hearty dishes in restaurants.

Where to stay: the lavish Almanac Barcelona is just a short walk from locations like La Rambla and Sagrada Familia. On rainy days, an inviting spa beckons, while sunshine will entice you up to the panoramic rooftop pool.