What Does Fall Mean to You?
The return of football, back-to-school activities, pumpkin-spice beverages? For me, the highlight of the season is traveling to destinations where I can best experience the once-a-year beauty of fall foliage. Close to home, this might mean a road trip to Leavenworth, Mount Rainier or even just a quick stroll through Seattle’s Washington Park Arboretum. But, as hard as it is to admit, the fall colors elsewhere might be even more impressive.
Look no further than the bevy of East Coast fall color cruises, tours and guided vacations as evidence of just how awe-inspiring the display is there. One of my favorite itineraries is the 10-day Princess Cruises fall foliage departure in September 2022, traveling from Quebec City to New York, with stops in charming and historic ports of call like Bar Harbor, Halifax and Boston. Along the way, vibrant reds, yellows and oranges greet you from shore.
Or, get even closer to the colors on a fall rail journey with Rocky Mountaineer. Opt for GoldLeaf Service if your budget allows; I love staring out of the train’s humongous domed windows while traveling right through the heart of the beautiful fall foliage. With stops in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, the icy blue lakes and rugged mountains combined with the fall colors are a sight I’ll never forget. Farther afield, the Rhine in Europe is a different, more colorful experience in the fall as well.
The hardest part of planning your fall foliage adventure might be deciding where to go. Visit a AAA store near you to talk with an expert travel agent to help you find the right trip. Keep in mind that the pandemic has shifted many people’s travel plans, so trips in 2022 and beyond are already being booked quickly.
Start planning now; it’s not too early to begin dreaming of next year’s fall colors.
– Written by Lisa Anciaux, Director of Travel Products
