It’s early August. God forbid I get excited already for when the leaves will start to turn. Once I feel that first crisp breeze, it’ll be game over for my denim shorts and sandals. The changing of the closet guard is nearing, even if it may not feel like it.
Another reason j’adore this time of year is that it’s the most underrated time to travel. Many call it shoulder season (there’s a great explainer in this article), but TLDR: mild weather, better prices, fewer crowds. How does one begin to decide where to go in this glorious season? I asked our staff where they’re headed for some inspo.
Who: Me!
Why: I’m headed to Damariscotta with friends for an end-of-summer-beginning-of-fall trip. We’re especially looking forward to visiting Monhegan Lighthouse and trying to snag a table at Lost Kitchen over in Freedom. And just walking around all the cute little towns!
Who: Anne Zalatoris, Director of Media Operations
Why: For a yoga/wellness retreat in October. Looking forward to a week unwinding in the jungle and experiencing some of the local rituals/ceremonies (and likely stopping over in Tokyo on the way).
Who: Deepa Lakshmin, Head of Social Media & Video
Why: This summer, I went hunting for 75-million-year-old dinosaur bones in Alberta’s Canadian Badlands, which was such an epic experience in and of itself that this fall I’m going even further back in time on the opposite side of the world! I’m planning to visit South Australia’s outback, which has 650-million-year-old fossils in the Flinders Ranges. For me, there’s something humbling about seeing extremely old things, rocks included, that put all the chaos and noise into perspective.
Who: Chamidae Ford, Digital Editor (and fellow Substack writer)
Why: I’m going to Seattle for a wedding, but I am really excited to swim in some lakes, hit the Museum of Pop Culture and eat great seafood at The Walrus and the Carpenter and soul food at Communion.
Who: Aly Yee, Vice President
Why: I am taking a long-distance best friends trip to Paris and London in October. Standard destinations, but the theme of the trip is very textile-arts forward - seeing the weaving, embroidering and embellishing exhibit at the Palais Galliera, the Schiaparelli exhibit at the V&A and doing a day class at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace.
Who: Alexander Howard, Senior Editorial Director
Why: I’m taking the fam to Mallorca, where we’ll split our time between hikes in the Serra de Tramuntana (if I have my way) and building sandcastles on the beach (more likely). Most excited about how many ensaïmadas I can put away before my wife starts giving me the look.
Who: Melinda Anderson, Managing Editor
Why: In September, I’m taking my 11-year-old son to Washington, DC, with my grandparents to do a light version of all the things. He’s already done the greatest hits monuments, so this year we’re doing Air and Space and the Marine Corps Museum, and I’ll likely make a visit to Politics and Prose, which I trust he’ll love.
In October, I’m visiting my stepdaughter at the University of Wisconsin to see the Badgers play Michigan State and am already dreaming about the tailgate. Having never been to Madison, I’m also keen to understand why everyone loves it so much.
For Thanksgiving, I’m headed to Big Bend with our family to do all the things most of them like: biking, hiking, floating, kayaking and camping. One daughter and I are less those types of people, so maybe it will be three of them doing the camping and two of us doing the nearby amenity Airbnb-ing, but I’m most excited about the floating, stargazing, viewing, reading and biking.
Who: Taylor Stevanovski, Social Media Manager
Why: I am heading to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for my bachelorette! So excited for trail riding, a wine tasting at Jackson Hole Winery and lots of hiking in Grand Teton National Park (and hopefully spotting some bison and moose).
In October, I am visiting Paris, Venice and Vienna, all in one week – lots to see in so little time! I will be in Paris for the Steelers vs Saints football game (my fiancé’s idea) and a tour of the city’s most beautiful buildings, like the Palais Garnier (my idea). I’m most excited to try the ÖBB Nightjet sleeper train from Venice to Vienna, where a stop at Schönbrunn Palace (and lots of apfelstrudel) is a must.
Who: Rhia Hylton, Photo Editor
Why: I’m going to the Philippines with some friends for a wedding in October. So excited to see what the locals get up to in Manila, do some post-wedding island hopping, and eat copious amounts of Kare-Kare (a Filipino oxtail dish).
Who: Zara Sekhavati, Destination Editor
Why: As a half-Hungarian, I’m excited to return to Hungary this autumn. I will be running a 10k charity run (could this heatwave please stop so I can train?) in Budapest. After, I will be having a well-deserved rest and soaking in Lake Hévíz, the biggest swimmable thermal lake in Europe.
Who: Brekke Fletcher, Senior Director of Content
Why: Going to Round Top, Texas, in October! About 90 minutes from Houston (where I’ll be spending a day or two), this teeny tiny town is one of the best places in the USA for antique shopping (they do a monster tri-annual fair, but that’s after my trip). I also plan to eat, drink and explore. Breakfast tacos, vintage shopping, cocktails and pie – and I def want to visit this alpaca ranch! Staying at Hotel Lulu and very excited to tick this teeny tiny town off my list after YEARS of wanting to go.
Happy fall,
Ann Douglas Lott
Editor, Lonely Planet
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