Looking for some original vacation ideas for the fall/winter season? We’ve been screening our travel guides to come out with a Top 10 that guarantees a good balance between active, cultural, and eco travel options. During fall and winter (Sep to Feb), you can also enjoy the benefits of traveling in low season, including better deals and a far more genuine travel experience.
The Great Ocean Walk (Australia)
The Great Ocean Walk is a stunning long distance trail, traversing several areas of historical significance in Australia. It makes extensive usage of eco friendly facilities and covers approximately 100 km (up to 8 days of walk).
Catalonia (Spain) is a showcase of European landscapes on a small scale and a perfect set for active cycling holidays. Here you can count on a vast network of roads, greenways, and paths, as well as a good climate and beautiful sceneries.
One of the best vacation ideas for ski and snowboard enthusiasts is to head to Hinterstoder, a true “Pearl of the Alps” in Upper Austria. Its ski resort offers 40 km of slopes up to 2,000 m above sea level and a wonderful winter landscape.
The Nakasendo Way, is a 530 km route which linked Kyoto to Tokyo during Japan’s feudal period. Once crowded with samurai, merchants and pilgrims, now is much less busy and offers a pleasant path through Japan’s fascinating history.
During September and October, Hungary hosts many festivals, which offer a unique chance to discover its culture and traditions. Wine and music seems to be their favorite combination, but here you’ll get a few more good suggestions.
Te Araroa Trail is New Zealand’s long distance tramping route, stretching the length of the country from Cape Reinga to Bluff. The trail has approximately 300 sections and crosses all the most spectacular New Zealand landscapes.
With Frontier, you can take part in various conservation projects all over Australia and help to preserve, protect and restore the country’s rich natural environment and unique wildlife, which includes koalas and kangaroos.
Via Francigena is an ancient, enchanting route that in medieval times connected Canterbury to Rome. Nowadays you can gently go through it in several stages, on foot or by bike, enjoying the typical Italian atmosphere.
Ever heard of beer tourism? Sounds great, and tastes even better! Belgium is the best place to indulge in the pleasures of beer tasting, with over 450 different varieties, all drinkable in beautiful abbeys and traditional brasseries.
Learn about and embrace a sustainable organic lifestyle by WWOOFing in Denmark, one of the greenest countries in the world. Free food and stay in ecological farms, in return for volunteer help, doesn’t look like a bad deal.
Extra: Other Fall/Winter Vacation Ideas & Things to Do
Go climbing: from the parks of Provence to the city walls of Salzburg.
Get inspired by the bright colors of fall foliage in the Douro Valley.
Take a scenic train ride through Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
Participate in a film festival: Gijon, Vienna, Camberra, and more.
Be seduced by the truffle flavor in the Italian Langhe region.
Help revitalize abandoned countryside areas in Slovenia.
Related Travel Guides: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in Sep, 2016, and has been updated to revise the list of things to do, include additional items, and keep it fresh and accurate.