Tag Archives: Autumn

Travel |

|

Fall in Downtown Sacramento

Fall season in downtown Sacramento, USA

After a long and hot summer, locals in Sacramento usually welcome in the crisp, cool days of fall with open arms. For those who want to make the most of all that the season has to offer, here are a few of the best fall activities to try in the city.

Sacramento River Fall Foliage
Fall foliage is always one of the highlights of the fall months, and the best place in Sacramento to view this is along the Sacramento River. The river is lined on both sides by a variety of different trees, all of which transform from green to golds and reds in the late fall months. While you can simply take a stroll along the river to take in all of the colors, you could also try out a river cruise, which will give you the opportunity to enjoy a meal or a glass of champagne as you cruise by the stunning foliage.

View of Old Sacramento

milosk50 / Shutterstock.com

Walking Tours
With the weather being slightly cooler in the fall, this is a great time of the year to sign up for a walking tour, as you will not feel as overwhelmed by the heat as you would have in the summer. There are so many different tours available, depending on what you are interested in. For those who want to soak up some history, try a historic walking tour of Old Sacramento, or, if you are an avid foodie, sign up for food tours that showcase the city’s culinary specialties.

Fall Festivals
There are so many fall festivals to choose from in Sacramento, ranging from music to food to beer. The California Brewers Festival is always a popular one, as this showcases an incredible selection of local brewers and beers, as does Oktoberfest, which is also a great place to soak up some German culture. The annual Farm to Fork Festival is another one that you should not miss, especially since Sacramento is the farm to fork capital of the United States, guaranteeing the highest quality food. For those visiting Sacramento with their family, including young children, do not miss out on the Delta Fall Harvest Festival, which offers everything from grape stomping to pumpkin picking to hay rides. The Sacramento Harvest Festival is also worth checking out, and this takes place on the weekend before Thanksgiving, with everything from music and entertainment to hundreds of stalls where you can do some shopping.

Woman picking red apples

Apple Hill
As you would imagine from its name, Apple Hill is abundant with apple trees, and there are over 50 ranches located here. In the fall, these apples are ripe for picking, and many of the ranches here offer pick-your-own experiences for visitors. Denver Dan’s is one of the very best orchards to head to, as they grow over 50 different varieties of apples, giving you the opportunity to sample different types and learn about the unique features of each.

Sacramento is a fantastic destination to visit throughout the year, but it definitely does take on a magical air during the months of fall. From bountiful harvests to seasonal festivals, this is a great time of the year to visit California’s capital.

Travel |

|

Autumn in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is incredibly atmospheric in the autumn months, making this a fantastic time of the year to pay this Russian city a visit. From the golden leaves in the city’s famous parks to the benefit of fewer crowds after the peak summer travel season, here are just a few of the reasons as to why you should visit St. Petersburg in the fall.

Tsarkoe Selo

The Autumn Colors at Tsarskoe Selo
Tsarskoe Selo, which is now called Pushkin, was the Tsars’ former summer residence, and, being just 24 kilometres from the center of St. Petersburg, is the perfect place for a day trip. This suburb is filled with lush maple trees, and, in the autumn, you will see nothing but golden leaves for miles. In addition to taking in all of the gorgeous colors around you, you can also spend some time exploring the 18th century baroque Catherine Palace, as well as the nearby Alexander Palace.

Russian food

Seasonal Russian Foods
Dishes always taste their best when they have been created from seasonal ingredients, and while Russian cuisine is already pretty incredible, this is taken to a whole new level when the seasonal ingredients from autumn begin to show up on plates. From seasonal roots, such as turnips and beetroot, to seasonal herbs, such as heather and juniper, one of the best places to try these local delights is at COCOCO Restaurant. This eatery works with 20 local farmers from nearby regions and is known for being one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in the city.

Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood

Sightseeing
There are so many sights to see around St. Petersburg, but these can often become uncomfortably crowded during the summer months, as hoards of tourists flock to each of them. However, the autumn travel season is much quieter, resulting in uninterrupted photo opportunities at all of the city’s famous sights. From the lack of queues at the State Hermitage Museum to the quiet serenity of the Church of Our Saviour on the Spilled Blood, sightseeing becomes a whole lot more enjoyable in St. Petersburg in the autumn months.

Ballet

Sergey Petrov / Shutterstock.com

Theatre Season
Autumn is known for being theatre season in St. Petersburg, with the city’s world-class theatre companies hosting a wide range of productions. The oldest theatre in the city is the Hermitage Theatre, and this is well worth visiting if you want to soak up some heritage along with a performance. Another option is the Mariinsky Theater, which has been running since the 1860s and is home to the Russian Ballet and Opera groups, who are considered to be in the top six in the world, making this quite the cultural highlight. The Mariinsky II is the newest theatre to hit the city, and this one is much more innovative and contemporary than the original Mariinsky, especially when it comes to technology and acoustics.

The severe cold that St. Petersburg faces in the winter months often puts the majority of tourists off, which is why they tend to flock to the city in the summer. However, a visit during the autumn months would be a much better idea, as not only is the weather still balmy, but the lack of crowds, as well as the incredible colors, will make your trip even more memorable.

Travel |

|

Most Beautiful Fall Destinations

Fall is a stunning time of the year, with the foliage transforming green landscapes into fiery, vibrant shades. Take a look at OROGOLD’s picks of the most beautiful fall destinations to give you some inspiration when it comes to planning your own fall vacation.

Tuscany, Italy.

Tuscany, Italy
While there is no arguing that Tuscany has some beautiful fall foliage, one of the best reasons to visit Tuscany this season is because this is harvest time, and the locals take their harvest extremely seriously. When it comes to traditional Italian gastronomy, Tuscany is at the heart of this, making it an ideal fall destination for any foodies out there. Festivals celebrating each harvest, from grapes to mushrooms to polenta to pumpkin, are held throughout the region, giving you the opportunity to taste some of the best, and freshest, food that the area has to offer. While there, OROGOLD recommends going truffle hunting in the Tuscan forests before eating your findings in a delicious pasta dish, or going on an olive tasting tour if you are in Tuscany later on in the season.

Ontario, Canada.

Ontario, Canada
One of OROGOLD’s favorite things to do in the fall in Ontario is to take a drive along the Niagara Parkway, the road that Winston Churchill said was “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world”. Canada’s Ontario province has some of the most spectacular fall foliage that we have seen, and a great place to take this all in is the Algonquin Provincial Park. With almost 8000 square km of lush forests, twisting rivers and peaceful lakes, the beauty all around you is absolutely breathtaking. OROGOLD recommends going for a paddle in a canoe to best enjoy the display from the maple and red oak trees.

Huangshan Mountain

Huangshan Mountain, China
Huangshan, also known as the Yellow Mountains, is a mountain range in the east of China, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The peaks of the mountains are all lined with trees, and when these begin to transform into their fall colors, the sight is simply incredible, with the wispy clouds around them making the scene seems slightly magical. The spectacle attracts visitors from all over China, so be prepared for crowds. To see the foliage at its most beautiful, OROGOLD recommends going out at sunrise, as the colors from the sun complement the foliage in an ethereal way. For when you aren’t taking in the fall beauty, there are plenty of other things to keep you occupied, from visiting the many hot springs in the region, to tasting the area’s famous Chinese teas, to learning more about Huangshan’s rich history.

OROGOLD loves to travel in the fall, taking in the beautiful foliage from all over the world, as well as experiencing the fall traditions that different countries have. From a sunrise walk through the Yellow Mountains in China to helping to harvest olives in Tuscany, these amazing fall destinations will make you appreciate the season in a completely different way.

Travel |

|

Where to Go for Fall Weekend in US

A fall weekend getaway is usually exactly what people need at this time of the year. For those of you who haven’t yet gotten around to planning it, here are some of OROGOLD’s favorite places to go for fall weekend in the US.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts

The Berkshires, Massachusetts
A rural region up in the mountains of western Massachusetts, the Berkshires are a great weekend destination for any art and culture lover. With eight different museums, renowned stage productions, a variety of dance festivals and a unique little music venue, there is plenty to keep you busy. To make the experience even better is Berkshire’s beautiful natural surroundings, with the mountains and meadows turning into hues of golden and red during fall. These areas are all easily accessible in a number of ways, from bike to balloon to raft to horse, and even on the back of a llama! When you want to wind down after a busy day, OROGOLD recommends visiting one of Berkshire’s amazing spas – another feature that the area is well known for!

Hudson River Valley, New York

Hudson River Valley, New York
Just 90 minutes from Manhattan, the Hudson River Valley, with its rolling hills, meandering wine trails and cascading waterfalls, is certainly a picturesque destination, especially during fall. From stopping in at the Peekshill Brewery for ‘Hoppy Hour’ to taking an afternoon stroll on the Walkway Over the Hudson, one of the longest elevated pedestrian bridges in the world, to hiking through the Overlook Wild Forest, there is definitely plenty to keep you busy. While there is a whole array of exciting dining establishments to choose from, OROGOLD highly recommends the Bocuse Restaurant. Opened by the Culinary Institute of America, the restaurant serves up high quality French cuisine at extremely affordable prices.

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
While Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley may be great as a year-round destination, OROGOLD’s favorite time to visit is during the fall, when the season brings out the area’s rich golden colors. It is in the Shenandoah Valley that you will find one of America’s most scenic drives, the Blue Ridge Parkway, another great way to take in the beauty of the season. Driving enthusiasts may also want to check out the Skyline Drive, which offers up 75 scenic outlook points for you to fully admire your surroundings. Of course, no fall visit to the Shenandoah Valley would be complete without some apple picking, and the Marker-Miller Orchards are a great place to do this. The nearby town of Lexington, which has appeared on many lists of the best small towns to visit, is packed with interesting galleries, antique shops and other delights, all definitely worth exploring.

Fall definitely has an aura of magic around it, and there is no better way to appreciate all that it offers than by taking some time away from your hectic daily schedule and enjoying a relaxing fall weekend. From a llama ride through the Berkshires to picking your own apples in the Shenandoah Valley, these are some of the best fall weekend destinations out there!

Travel |

|

America’s Most Scenic Fall Drives

With a dazzling display of fiery colors, fall is definitely one of Mother Nature’s most spectacular shows. With over 3000 miles of national scenic byways, and many other equally scenic roads, taking a drive is a great way to experience all that fall has to offer. Here are some of OROGOLD’s picks of America’s most scenic fall drives.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
Fondly referred to by many as ‘America’s favorite drive’, the Blue Ridge Parkway covers 469 miles of stunning scenery and a rich sense of cultural heritage. Beginning in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and ending in North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park, fall is one of the best times of the year to take this drive. The speed limit is typically 45 miles per hour, allowing you to meander along at a leisurely pace, fully taking in your beautiful surroundings. For those doing the drive in October, OROGOLD recommends paying a visit to the Mabry Mill, where craft demonstrations are held each Sunday for the public, including a delicious apple-butter making demonstration.

Columbia River Highway, Oregon

Columbia River Highway, Oregon
A 75 mile scenic highway that winds its way up cliffs measuring 900 feet, the Columbia River Highway is the drive to take if you want to see dramatic fall scenery. Built in 1913, the highway was created to highlight the natural beauty of the surrounding area, making it no surprise that it earned itself National Historic Landmark status. The cliffs that the drive take you through overlook the river and valley below, with the landscape lighting up with vibrantly striking shades each fall. If you want to further explore the area, OROGOLD would recommend that you stop off and take advantage of one of the many hiking trails around the highway, some of which lead to picturesque hidden waterfalls.

Grand Mesa, Colorado

Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway, Colorado
Colorado’s landscape turns into a brilliant tapestry of colors each fall, helped by the popular Aspen trees that transform into vivid hues of gold. The Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway begins at route 70, and takes you through narrow canyons, evergreen forests, fields of wildflowers, and sprawling lakes, reflecting the fiery shades around them. The 63 mile byway ends at the world’s largest flat-top mountain, the Grand Mesa, which offers dramatic views of the Rocky Mountains and sprawling forests. If you are travelling in October, then you are right on time for Applefest, which is held by the town of Cedaredge in celebration of the area’s apple harvest. Another stop that OROGOLD would suggest you make is to the tiny town of Skyway, which is nestled into the Grand Mesa National Forest.

There is no denying the beauty that fall brings, casting a gorgeous new light over even the most captivating of natural landscapes. From a dramatic drive up the Columbia River Highway, to a leisurely meander along the Blue Ridge Parkway, these fall drives are definitely ones that you should try to make!