Fall Is One of the Smartest Times to Travel

Scenic road trips, food festivals and end-of-season beach holidays. [Travel + Leisure: Notes From the Field]( [Travel + Leisure: Notes From the Field]( Illustration by: Bashel Lubarsky Maybe it's the East Coast girl in me, but September and October might just be my favorite months to travel. Fall in my neck of the woods signals cooling temperatures and changing leaves, back-to-school excitement and anticipation of the holiday season. Fall is also increasingly one of the smartest times to travel, whether you're looking to try a [dynamic new food festival]( embark on a scenic domestic [road trip]( or even splash out on an [end-of-season beach holiday in Italy.]( The prices are typically lower and the crowds are typically fewer. I'm just back from a sun-soaked vacation in Ischia, an Italian island that [consistently rates as one of the best in Europe]( in our annual World's Best Awards. Accessible via ferry or private boat transfer, [it sits in the Gulf of Naples and is renowned for its thermal waters]( and charming small towns, ideal for strolling long into the night. (You may also recognize this spot as the escapist holiday destination featured in the Elena Ferrante novel, My Brilliant Friend.) Like magic, as soon as the calendar shifted from August to September, the heat dissipated and the crowds began to thin. The vibe at our hotel, the Regina Isabella, shifted a touch too; the Americans were gone, and the Italians had the run of the place again. Everything became less of a scene, and more scenic to me, in a way. If you can get away during these next few months, please do. The holidays are fun, but never [stress-free and easy]( especially if you decide to travel. Just call any fall vacation a wellness break–or early gift to the self. [Jacqui Gifford - Editor-in-Chief]( Jacqui Recommends [This Is One of the Most Luxurious Cruises on the Nile River — With Excellent Food, Excursions to the Famed Pyramids and Just 84 Passengers]( [READ MORE]( Jacqui's Pick [10 Long-Haul Flight Carry-On Essentials to Relax]( Take it from me, a frequent traveler and a very sensitive sleeper who can't ever seem to relax on flights. [SHOP NOW]( [Rick Steves on the Best Meal of His Life, His Favorite Country in the World and What's Next]( [READ MORE]( [This Underrated Airline Has a Sauna in Its Lounge — Plus, Especially Comfortable Business-Class Seats]( [READ MORE]( [This Picturesque Road Trip Is the Most-Searched Route in the U.S.]( [READ MORE]( [Medellín, Colombia, Is the Next Big Thing in Global Cuisine — Here's Where to Eat]( [READ MORE]( [Travel + Leisure Logo]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [TikTok]( [[Check out our new podcast Lost Cultures: Living Legacies]Check out our podcast 'Lost Cultures: Living Legacies']( [Unsubscribe from Membership Updates]( [Manage My Subscriptions]( We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. This email was sent to {EMAIL} Was this email forwarded to you? [Subscribe Here]( [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Service]( | [Help Center]( Dotdash Meredith, 225 Liberty St, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10281 ©2024. All Rights Reserved. [Dotdash Meredith]( Travel + Leisure is part of the [Dotdash Meredith]( publishing family.