The 7 best fall travel destinations for 2022

Fall travel is, without a doubt, the best type of travel. The weather on earth is better in autumn. Case in point: I was in Croatia last week, and – while it’s a hot summer, it was 75 and sunny for my entire stay – and of course, it was more of a survey when the summer tourists weren’t there. as well as.

Also, according to travel booking app Hopper, average round-trip domestic flights in September and October fell 37 percent to $238 — $142 below average summer round-trip domestic flights, and another 3 percent below 2019 prices. In other words: if premium airfare has had you standing up for most of the summer, carpe diem… it’s time.

Luckily, Brandon Berkson knows a thing or two about travel. After his travel advertising career took off, Berksen turned his attention to his epidemic hobby — an Instagram page for hotel enthusiasts — and grew it into a full-fledged media company highlighting the world’s trendiest hotels, restaurants and destinations. The resulting product, Above Par Hotels, features two-minute guides designed for the “time-strapped hip traveler.” Since its inception, Above Par Hotels has garnered over 128,000 readers across its various platforms.

And it’s easy to see why: Berksen has an excellent radar for travel trends, combined with a penchant for high-end, forward-thinking hotels. That’s why I thought Berkson would be the perfect candidate to pick this year’s top seven fall travel destinations (it actually got it right in spring). Below, his tips for harvesting both local and international varieties.

Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon, is a multifaceted city in the Pacific Northwest. Endless forests, cool hipster neighborhoods and an unrivaled food truck scene are just a few of the many attractions that make the city unique.

Where will you stay? The Palisade Hotel Grand Stark is located in Portland’s Central Eastside neighborhood. The 57-key boutique stay has a contemporary classic interior inspired by the Pacific Northwest, reflected in the lobby, with hunter green and antique furniture.

what to do: A large number of settlements are spread across the city. My favorites are the Pearl District – Powell’s Books is located here (AKA the best bookstore ever) – and the Nob Hill/NW 23rd Ave area, with cute shops and restaurants, and bars galore (Portland’s coffee scene is awesome).

Where to eat? Kachka is a unique restaurant with a menu that includes dishes that reflect the cuisine of the former Soviet Union. The vodka menu is one of the best I’ve ever seen, with 50+ types of vodka from around the world, from Moldova to Russia.

Oceanside, California

Oceanside, California, is a SoCal beach town that you should have on your radar. It’s approachable and frugal yet growing and trendy. Other nearby beach towns like Laguna Beach and La Jolla feel like a lifetime away when you’re here. The past five to seven years have seen the city go through a renaissance: more chic boutique hotels, cocktail bars and inviting farm-to-table restaurants seem to pop up every day. If you’re a fan of surfing, Oceanside is your kind of town.

Where to stay: The Mission Pacific Hotel is across the beach. The beach breezes are both laid back but well appointed. For everyone Top gun Fans of the graveyard in the original film sit on the grounds. The hotel has preserved the original historic structure and transformed it into a delicious bar called Hi-Pie.

what to do: Oceanside City Beach and Oceanside Pier make for a perfect fall beach day trip. The California Surf Museum offers interesting historical highlights of the state’s most famous sport, surfing.

Where to eat and drink Cococabana is a Caribbean-style restaurant and bar at the new boutique brick hotel. Expect high spirits, tropical cocktails and delicious bites – the Octopus ceviche It’s a must try.

Madeira, Portugal

When it comes to “spending time” destinations, the Portuguese island of Madeira ranks high. And soon, it will be more accessible than ever with air service from New York City to the island’s capital, Funchal, thanks to a new nonstop direct flight starting this November. So what does Madeira have to offer for your fall trip? The list goes on, from five-star hospitality to Michelin-star restaurants and mountains overlooking the sea on footpaths.

what to do: The island is beautiful in every corner, so it is important to take a walk here. Most important to Madeira, there are over 200. picked up – Former irrigation wells are now used as hiking trails. Funchal town is also integrated with regional shops and restaurants.

Where to stay: Reed Palace, the Belmond Hotel, is a sugar-pink palace perched on the cliffs of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a bastion of luxe beach, to say the least.

Where to eat? Reed Castle is a knock-off of the Michelin-starred William’s Restaurant – combining farm-to-table cuisine with Portuguese charm and sensational sea views.

Barnard, Vermont

The northeastern region of the United States is one of the best places for a fall trip, with all its spectacular foliage. The trees here dazzle visitors with their seasonally distinctive yellow, gold, orange and red leaves.

what to do: Enjoy the crisp weather and hike through the local fall-leaf forests. The setting makes for a perfect romantic getaway.

Where to stay: The five-star Twin Farms is a Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel with 20 rooms. It was the former country home of author Sinclair Lewis and his journalist wife Dorothy Thompson. Here, it’s all about escaping the hustle and bustle you’ve brought from home: get a pampering treatment at the on-site Bridge House Spa and wander the hotel’s 300 acres, where you’ll witness Twin Farms’ 18th-century farmhouse, endless bark and trees. Resident Pond, here are a few ideas on where to start.

Where to eat? Chef Nathan Hill helps with the culinary efforts at Twin Farms, preparing the ever-changing menu with farm-to-table dishes, much of which is purchased on-site. If you’re with your significant other, I recommend booking a private winery dinner: a bottled, candlelit setting where you partake in a five-course dinner, accompanied by a head sommelier with special wine pairings.

Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand is the pearl of Southeast Asia. The capital, Bangkok, is a sprawling Asian city incomparable to its capital. Golden temples, delicious street food on every corner and canals full of boats are found here.

what to do: The grand palace is a feast for the eyes. Today, the centuries-old site hosts royal quarters (Thailand’s royal family abdicated in 1925, but the kingdom still lives on), ceremonial sites, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Those looking to shop should head to Chatuchak Weekly Market (often called JJ Market). It’s one of the world’s largest outdoor markets, with more than 15,000 stalls under the sun selling everything from clothing to art to home decor and accessories.

Where to stay: Banyan Tree Bangkok is a five-star hotel, a slice of famous Thai luxury (the hospitality and service in Southeast Asia are some of the best in the world). Each room and suite here has a separate bath and shower, as well as additional living space, making accommodations feel spacious. Replenishment at the hotel’s spa, with panoramic views of Bangkok’s cityscape and an extensive treatment menu, is the step.

Where to eat? Thai food has my heart. When it comes to dining in Bangkok, I recommend eating homemade Thai food in the old quarter of the city in Samsong. It’s a complete mom-and-pop joint. Ordering the Sukhothai Noodles (basically rice noodles with string beans and pork sauce) is a must.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s impossible not to fall in love with all the gingerbread-style houses, historical novels, boat-filled canals, bike-friendly paths and chic boutiques.

what to do: Amsterdam is filled with many interesting places. I find Holocaust education very important, so I am always eager to recommend a visit to the Anne Frank House. If you are an art fan, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum should be on your list. Naturally speaking, the Vondelpark is a large green space perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Where to stay: Choose to stay at the World Canal House Amsterdam, a small luxury hotel with 23 rooms in three historic merchant houses. Right at the Keizersgracht, the main canal in the city.

Where to eat? Jansz at the Pulitzer Amsterdam serves modern bistro fare in a fashionable setting overlooking the resident canal at the edge of the hotel. The Dutch Cheese Platter is a cheese lover’s dream.

Providence, Turks and Caicos

If you’re looking for Caribbean seclusion during your fall trip, the Turks and Caicos Islands should be on your list. Tropical landscapes, crystal-clear waters and luxury hotels await here.

what to do: Take a cruise with Caicos Dream Tours, cruising the Caribbean Sea, strolling along abandoned shipwrecks and exploring a clutch of desert islands in the area. One of these islands includes Iguana Island, an uninhabited home to roaming feral iguanas.

Where to stay: The Beach Club, a Turks and Caicos five-star retreat, is right on the beach. These suites – with their island-chic decor, spaciousness and dreamy views of the Caribbean Sea – are perfect for those who “want to go” during their fall trip.

Where to eat? Turks and Caicos staples, Da Conch Shack’s pink and white buildings, beach front dining, plus reggae music soundtrack and lapping waves in the background, will make you fall in love with the Caribbean. Have their most famous dish, conch fritters.