At Home and Abroad
Small Ship Cruise Vacations
As the cruise season begins to draw to a close, the fall foliage season begins its annual appearance in the North, slowly inching southward with the dimming Autumn light. The magical transformation occurs, not quite like clockwork, but close. Mother Nature does keep her own schedule. One thing is for sure though, it is many people’s favorite time of year. A sea of green is seemingly changed overnight into a world of sparkling oranges and golds. With it comes a bite of chill in the air, pumpkins are on everyone’s doorsteps, people don their plaid wool scarfs and drink hot lattes and spiced teas, and everyone seems happy and ready for the change. This can be the perfect time to be on a cruise or a tour to take in the brilliant foliage and enjoy the cooler temperatures and harvest festivities.
1. Hudson
The Hudson River Valley flows through upstate New York, lined with an unusual combination of historic homes and simple farmsteads. The entire Northeast region is known for its beautiful sugar maples, and the Hudson River banks are equally as beautiful – a rainbow of yellows, oranges, and reds. Excursions to places up on the hillside such as to West Point Academy, artist Thomas Cole’s house, or a magnificent mansion such as Lyndhurst will each offer outstanding overlook views.
Recommended: The Hudson River Fall Foliage 7-night cruise aboard the American Liberty
2. The Rhine
There is something magical about seeing a moody castle perched up on a rocky cliff, surrounded by fall’s deeply rich hues and perhaps a light mist in the air. Western Germany and the Rhine River Valley are known for their multitude of castles – you won’t have to go far to find amazing views. The charms of Germany do not end there – with half-timbered medieval villages, stone buildings lined encased with vines turning red, and cobbled streets curving around the bend lined with small cottages leading to the Oktoberfest celebrations. Autumn is the perfect time to visit this region!
Recommended: Rhine and Main Explorer 11-night cruise aboard the Viking Modi
3. Maine coast
Sailing in and out of the undulating Maine coastline, you will be thrilled by the bright red foliage coloring the nearby hills. The lovely red hills blend perfectly with the charming small towns and makes a perfect backdrop for stopping for a bowl of steaming clam chowder or lobster stew for lunch – New England style! Cruises run through late September when fall is at its peak.
Recommended: The Maine Coast Cruise 7-night cruise aboard the American Eagle
4. Columbia River
The banks of the Columbia River are awash in a sea of gold in the Autumn months of late September to early November. Big leaf maples, larches, and cottonwoods turn gold, lighting up the hillsides set off by the dark green of the evergreen firs. Visitors on cruises departing Portland might enjoy the opportunity to visit the world-famous Portland Japanese Gardens, known for their brilliant Japanese maple collection. The wide variety of trees that grow in the Pacific Northwest put on quite a show. You might even sail past a vineyard with its golden rows of vines, or a cherry orchard putting on a show.
Recommended: The Columbia and Snake River 8-night cruise aboard the American Jazz
5. Chattanooga
The Tennessee River Valley is a kaleidoscope of orange, rust, yellow, gold,and green and cruises go into November, so you will have plenty of opportunity to take in the glorious colors and fall activities. Enjoy a taste of sweet potato pie and a cup of hot coffee while you take in the dramatic cliffs around Chattanooga – a perfect backdrop for your foliage viewing!
Recommended: The Tennessee River 8-night cruise aboard the American Serenade
6. The Seine
When you think of fall color and fall celebrations, you may not immediately think of Northern France, but this area is a glorious place to be between late September and early November! The trees are at their autumnal best, and the French love their pumpkins – and indeed, any fall vegetable. How romantic to see a chateau decorated with the fall harvest and delight in a long path lined with fall foliage trees, as the French do so well. Try a glass of the local calvados, or sip a glass of red wine as you drift past romantic chateaus and charming villages.
Recommended: Impressions of the Seine and Paris 7-night cruise aboard the AmaDante
7. The Great Smoky Mountains
This combination river cruise + land tour takes you into the scenic Great Smoky Mountain National Park, world renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern-Appalachian Mountain culture. You’ll enjoy the best of both the Tennessee River Valley plus the vast colors of the wide open spaces of the Smoky Mountains – the view from Clingman’s Dome lookout is amazing!
Recommended: The Great Smoky Mountains 10-night cruise/tour aboard the American Symphony
Land or Rail Tours
8. Guided Bus Tours
These guided tours will take you onto the backroads of New England where you will be in the heart of leaf-peeping country. Travel between Boston, Kennebunkport, Portland Maine, and Bretton Woods in New Hampshire on the Grand New England itinerary. It will be 12 days of full-immersion Autumn heaven! Another offering is the Hidden Gems of New England – on an 8-day itinerary curated by local legend and filmmaker Ken Burns. On this itinerary, you even have the opportunity to visit his film studio in Bretton Woods. Deep in the heart of New England, the color show will not disappoint.
9. Riding Vintage Rails
If you love vintage trains and the romance of rail travel, the New England Autumn Foliage Express takes you on an 8-day journey through the heart of New England at peak fall color. Also on offer is a rail journey taking you into Quebec and Montreal, so if you time it right, you can follow the fall colors from north to south on a journey to remember!
10. Luxury Rail Travel
Witness the beauty of golden aspens set against a snow clad mountain as you ride the rails through the upper Rocky Mountains. On the Rockies to the Red Rocks itinerary, you can start in Denver, Colorado and head south to Moab with departures as late as mid-October. On the First Passage to the West, fall colors will start earlier. This itinerary travels from Vancouver, BC to Calgary and Lake Louise on a 6 night journey with departures into the 2nd week of October.
