Goodbye summer, hello fall: 6 perfect city escapes

Upset that the summer is over and that your tan will fade quicker than those sweet memories of summer? Fear not, because fall – or autumn as the Brits like to call it – is the perfect time to explore a new city: as people return to their daily grind (hello office! hello school!), prices, crowds and temperatures drop for a bunch of popular city destinations around the world.

Here’s our by–no-means-exclusive-but-still-really-good list of six cities perfect for beating the post-summer blues and ushering in a fabulous fall.

1. Paris

“Paris is always a good idea” – Audrey Hepburn

Paris is called the City of Light (La Ville Lumière) not only because of its leading role during the Age of Enlightenment, but also because of the beautifully lit streets and boulevards that make this one of the most romantic cities in the world. And fall is the perfect time to soak up those lights. How about bringing someone you care about along and heading off to the observation spot in front of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre? It offers bucketloads of romance and one of the best views of the city, with the Eiffel Tower as an obvious centerpiece.

2. Rome

“When in Rome do as the Romans do” – Proverb

Local culture in Rome is all about the food, especially in the fall. With porcini mushrooms, truffles, grapes and olives oozing out of every neighborhood trattoria, there’s no better time to eat yourself silly in the Italian capital. The historic center of Rome is full of food markets, Campo de’ Fiori being one of the best ones. Here you’ll find seasonal products like artichokes, chestnuts and pumpkins – all which feature heavily in traditional Roman fare.

3. London

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life” – Samuel Johnson

What’s the best thing to do once the leaves start fall and the temperatures drop? Cuddle up with an interesting book while nibbling on some scones with jam and a cup of warm tea or hot chocolate, of course. And what’s the best city in the world to do it in? London, of course! The British capital is pretty much synonymous with the glorious tradition that is ‘Afternoon Tea’, and to make your planning easier we’ve put together a handy list of London’s best spots for a cuppa & scone.

4. New York

“Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?” – Vernon Duke

As the weather cools down, New York City’s cultural scene heats up with tons of new Broadway shows and concerts to for you to check out, not to mention all the great food, awesome shopping and hard-to-beat nightlife. Tired of the non-stop buzz of the city? Head to Upstate New York, an easy train ride away where the air is crisp, the sky is blue, and the landscape is painted with brilliant shades of red, yellow, orange and gold. Check out a farmers’ market or go apple picking while you’re there – or better yet, let someone else do the picking whilst you dig in to a steamy, fresh-out-of-the-oven American apple pie!

5. Toronto

“Toronto is home; nothing beats home” – Ellen Wong

An even better place than Upstate New York to enjoy the glorious fall foliage is just north of the border in Canada (the country that even has a [maple] leaf as their national symbol!). Toronto, situated on the bank of Lake Ontario, is filled with gorgeous parks perfect for hiking or going on long, leisurely walks. And if all that fabulous foliage isn’t enough to satisfy your nature-loving needs, Niagara Falls is only a 90-minute-drive away…

6. Sydney

“Those who lose dreaming are lost” – Australian Aboriginal saying

If you REALLY can’t handle summer being over and feel absolutely compelled to top up on that fast-fading tan, just head over to the other side of the world where spring is in full bloom and summer’s just around the corner: Sydney. It’s the perfect time to get your surf on, spend a few days (or weeks) exploring all the beautiful (and tasty!) things this fabulous city has to offer and maybe explore the outback on a roadtrip with your mates.