Three alternatives to the most famous and crowded autumn destinations

Once October arrives, it’s hard not to dream of a foliage-themed escape. The yearly spectacle unfolding across our woods and hills is the perfect excuse to plan a trip and enjoy a slow weekend immersed in nature.

While some destinations steal the spotlight this time of year, we prefer to wander off the beaten path, exploring lesser-known places that are just as vibrant, peaceful, and full of color.

Come take a stroll with us!

Carso

While everyone flocks to the Langhe hills in Piedmont, we’re heading east, to the wild and untamed Carso, just outside Trieste, in Italy’s far northeast. Shaped over millennia by water and wind, this limestone plateau reveals a dramatic landscape of rugged cliffs, caves, sinkholes, and sparse vegetation. The region is renowned for its karst formations, Terrano red wine, and traditional stone villages. In autumn, the fiery red of the leaves contrasts sharply with the pale gray rocks, creating an unforgettable natural spectacle.

Abruzzo

While everyone is going crazy for the famous foliage train from Domodossola to Switzerland, crossing the Alps, we’re heading just an hour east of Rome, to the wonderful region of Abruzzo, to board Italy’s very own “Trans-Siberian” train. Or to wander where valleys, forests, and medieval castles set the scene for a perfect autumn escape. Whether you’re riding the historic train or hiking up to a fortress, the landscape feels straight out of a fairytale, or perhaps a film. In fact, Rocca Calascio, one of the region’s most breathtaking castles, was the setting for the romantic fantasy Ladyhawke.

Pollino National Park

While many travelers head to Matera, the city of stones, we’re venturing south, to the wild heart of Basilicata and Calabria, where the Pollino National Park unfolds in all its untamed beauty. Italy’s largest national park, Pollino is a land of ancient forests, high plateaus, and dramatic limestone peaks, where time seems to move slower. In autumn, the slopes are brushed with shades of gold and rust, and the air smells of pine and earth. You can hike among centuries-old Bosnian pines, wander through stone villages perched on cliffs, or simply pause to take in the silence of the mountains.

Contact us to plan your trip!