Travel

Out of Office: Top 10 Places to Travel (& Stay) in the Fall

byTeam GM

6 years ago

It’s true, the seasons are changing and it will soon be time to put those sandals away. This isn’t a bad thing, of course as autumn is a lovely time to travel. You could go towards the season and seek out those cooling temperatures, or you could travel through hemispheres to follow the sun. Either way, our new contributors from In the Know Experiences will have us covered with lots of expert travel direction.

Launched in 2007, In the Know Experiences was created by Lia Batkin and Seth Kaplan, after noticing tremendous potential for a travel and lifestyle company that catered to a younger and more savvy demographic, wanting more than just a flight and hotel reservation. Specializing in creating experiences tailored to their client’s specific passion points, they are the perfect source to bring us today’s curated guide on where to travel in the fall. We’ll cheers to that!

1. LISBON

Europe’s new cultural capital of cool, Lisbon is host to legendary landmarks, elegant eateries and a buzzing art scene. Fall is one of the best times to discover this charming city as the weather’s still warm, and it’s shoulder season, which means it’ll be less crowded and hotels won’t be as pricey! Stay at Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina, a glamorous 18th-century palacio-turned-boutique hotel on the edge of the centrally located Chiado – the city’s historic heart. After a day of exploring the vibrant city (tuk tuk is our preferred mode of transportation), head to the rooftop pool to soak in 360-degree views of this magical city accompanied by some music, oysters & champagne. Be sure to spend a morning at the LX Factory, a hip mecca of boutique shops (vintage, included!), cafés, bars, art spaces, music venues, and yoga studios. Cervejaria Ramiro is worth the wait (no reservations) for the most incredible fresh fish. A Lisbon classic by celebrity chef Ljubomir Stanisic, 100 Maneiras has just 30 seats and is incredibly intimate plus a remarkably well-priced tasting menu that changes seasonally. A former convent now two restaurants under one roof (à la Eataly), Jose Avillez’s Bairro do Avillez is an absolute must.

2. BOLIVIA

A raw beauty unlike anywhere else in the world, Bolivia is the world’s highest city and is home to the world’s largest salt flats. With an impressive food scene, some of the most surreal landscapes in the world, and adventures galore – put Bolivia on your list. Stay at Atix Hotel in La Paz, which is tucked away in the exclusive Zona Sur district of the Calacoto neighborhood and backs up to some of the cities hottest restaurants. It will tickle any art-inclined, design-savvy traveler’s fancy. There’s an Instagram-worthy indoor infinity-edge pool with a breathtaking backdrop of the city. Eat at Gustu, a fine dining restaurant by Noma cofounder Claus Meyer, and don’t miss Ali Pacha, a new vegan restaurant with a secret menu. The more dramatic and very remote, Palacio de Sal, is an ideal base to explore the Uyuni Salt Flats. It’s one of the most unusual stays as it’s the world’s first salt hotel where everything from the ceiling to the furniture is made from salt.

3. PALM BEACH

Palm Beach is an easy East Coast escape where old-world glamour meets new-age sophistication. From the beautiful beaches to the dining du-jour, and to some of the best boutique shopping - there’s so much you can do at this iconic coastal destination. Playful rooms designed by Jonathan Adler plus a seriously incredible 40,000-square-foot-spa makes the Eau Palm Beach the perfect place for some fun in the sun mixed with serious R&R. If you want more of a resort-style stay, the just-renovated Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach offers a ton of on-property activities and the service is true to the brand’s DNA. Have lunch at the legendary 1941-vintage bistro Ta-boo on Worth Avenue. For some of the best Italian, dinner at Renato’s is a must (be sure to snag a table in the beautiful courtyard!). Check out the brand new Royal Poinciana Plaza, where you’ll find some of the best high-end boutiques (Kirna Zabête, Beach by Everything But Water) and some of the best restaurants.

4. BARCELONA

The sunshine (and beach season) most definitely continues through September, with the temperature actually a little more tolerable. Though it drops a bit in October, there are less tourists, making it all the more enjoyable to see the best of the city! We’re big fans of the primely located Cotton House Hotel, a boutique property that has tons of character and seriously chic spaces. Not far from Cotton House, you’ll find another one of our favorites: the more discreet and super-luxe Almanac Barcelona. Removed from the beach district chaos, get some of the best paella Barcelona has to offer at Martínez. Our favorite experiences in Barcelona include touring the most exclusive art galleries and museums with a top curator and doing a tapas tour to the city’s best-hidden gems with a local food journalist!

5. BHUTAN

A long-closed remote land that still remains untouched by most of the world, Bhutan–the last Himalayan Buddhist kingdom–lies between India and the Tibetan plateau. It’s a magical and notoriously mysterious destination that is slowly opening up to foreign visitors. So if you love exploring new cultures, hiking, and relaxing at a hotel tucked in the mountains with a spa – there really is no quite better place to do this than at Amankora. Spread out in stunning and varied locations across the country, Amankora’s five lodges offer unprecedented access to the world’s last surviving Buddhist kingdom in the most unique way. Expect: the most seamless experience, expert guides and some of the most spectacular sites in the world.

6. ASPEN

Aspen is really a year-round destination and autumn is no exception, as the valleys turn yellow. Stay in the heart of Aspen town at The Little Nell, with its sumptuous art-filled rooms and top-notch amenities. Discover the beauty of this destination and adventure outdoors. Rent a bike from Aspen Bikes (definitely opt for the e-bike to make the scenic ride more enjoyable!) and take the Rio Grande Trail to Woody Creek Tavern for lunch. Another great lunch option is the Aspen classic,Ajax Tavern, thenCache Cache is a must for dinner!

7. PARIS

The City of Love exudes sophistication and style and there’s nothing quite more romantic than experiencing this magical place with fall foliage, fewer tourists and a cozy vibe the city takes on. No matter how many times you’ve been, the Jardin du Luxembourg and Jardin des Tuileries are extremely special during this time. Be right by the gardens and stay on the more artistic Left Bank at the recently re-opened Hôtel Lutetia. On the Right Bank, the timeless Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, is within walking distance from some of the city’s best shopping and most iconic sites. The spa at Hôtel Ritz Paris is a destination in and of itself. Le Voltaire is the quintessential Parisian dinner spot on the Seine. Girafe is a new hotspot quite literally on the tip of everybody’s tongue right now with its Eiffel Tower views, 1930s décor by Joseph Dirand and sea-inspired cuisine by Benoît Dargère.

8. NAMIBIA

With an influx of new luxe lodges, this under the radar African country is shaping up to be the next safari hotspot. From the seemingly endless sand dunes and abundance of wildlife (think: cheetahs, rhinoceros, and giraffes), to world-class surfing (who knew?!) – Namibia has long been an off-the-beaten-path safari destination…until now. There’s simply no better time than the present to discover the untouched landscapes and wildlife than with a stay at one of the many, gorgeous new lodges… Omaanda is a super-chic, 10-room lodge with a laidback luxe vibe. Expect to spot curious baboons lounging on the cool polished concrete of your savannah-level covered deck by morning. Shipwreck Lodge opened earlier this summer on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, and it’s the only luxury accommodation in the entire 6,300-square-mile concession.

9. SANTA BARBARA

Santa Barbara has long been a destination for art & wine lovers, outdoor junkies and epicureans alike. From new hotel hotspots to iconic properties that seemingly get better with time, the American Riviera is back and better than ever… Adjacent to the legendary Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club on Butterfly Beach, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara offers exclusive access to the private members-only social club that has been the backdrop of countless society events attended by Hollywood elite and extravagant overwater fashion shows. Hotel Californian is the new cool-kid on the block that has transformed the downtown waterfront and is steps from all the boutiques and galleries. There are so many great restaurants to choose from, but if you could only have one meal – make it be at The Lark.

10. NANTUCKET

Come fall, Nantucket is still full of life and may actually be at its finest – with crowds much quieter and the weather warm enough for nighttime strolls along the charming cobblestoned Main Street. If you’re looking to discover all that this historic salt-sprayed “Grey Lady” has to offer, stay in the heart of it all at the newest and buzziest Greydon House. It doesn’t get better than an aperitif cart that roams the halls with a complimentary pre-dinner cocktail! And if you’re looking to kick back, relax and do nothing at all – White Elephant has serenity written all over it with waterfront views, your own private outdoor patio, and a fireplace to cozy up to. Housed in a vintage railroad car, check out The Club Car Restaurant & Piano Bar and snag a spot near the piano. The Nautilus is an absolute must for a mouthwatering dinner – be sure to order the whole roasted peking duck! Take a tour of Nantucket from downtown to Sconset or Madaket by bike and snag Instagram-worthy photos from the island’s most iconic lighthouse, Sankaty Head Lighthouse.

Wow! Where would you go? It’s too hard of a choice, right? Thanks so much for all of the advice from our new travel experts at In the Know Experiences. If you’re in the market for a curated experience, we highly recommend you checking them out right here as well as following along @intheknowexperiences.

Xo Team GM

Header Image @graymalinpersonal in Aspen