There are some destinations that really come into their own during certain seasons, and, when it comes to the warm light and rich hues of fall, it only makes sense to visit a location that is beautifully bathed in the golden autumn glow. From the cobblestone streets of Prague to the surreal northern lights in Scandinavia, these are some of the best places to travel to this fall.

Norway
The famous northern lights can be seen from many countries in the northern hemisphere, and while the darkest nights are during the dead of winter, fall is the best time to head off on a trip to catch the northern lights. Since city locations emit large amounts of light pollution, the best areas to view the lights are more secluded, and, for the very best photographs, many head out on a cruise ship for the night. There are several companies that offer journeys centered around viewing the lights, and these usually begin in early September.

Munich
While Munich may be home to some great fall foliage, the primary reason that it attracts over six million international visitors each fall is due to the Munich Oktoberfest, because while there may be many versions of this around the world, none of these have ever managed to live up to the original. This is the largest folk festival in the world, and, with everything from millions of liters of beer to traditional German street foods to massive fairgrounds with one-of-a-kind rides, Oktoberfest promises to be a fun-filled event.

Prague
Prague regularly enjoys a long Indian summer, meaning that the city often experiences warm days all the way up through November. With the low angle of the sun, the entire city is soaked in a romantic light, and this is set off by the spectacular fall foliage that can be seen at each of the city’s public parks. Fall is also the time for mushroom picking, and the Kunratice Forest has always been popular for this, while those that would prefer to indulge in city-based activities will no doubt notice that the delicious Czech cuisine is perfectly suited to the crisp days of fall.

Maine
Known for its extraordinary fall foliage, Maine is packed with natural diversity, as well as over 12 million acres of forest, meaning that there are a number of spots worth visiting in the fall. The seaside city of Portland is home to tree-covered mountains and a coastline dotted with islands, while the seaside village of Bar Harbor enjoys a panoramic location right next to the Acadia National Park. For those who want a more action-packed adventure, head to the Forks, where there are raft trips available for all ability levels, as well as a multitude of hiking trails, one of which leads to one of the highest waterfalls in the state.

After the intense heat of the summer, but before the winter chill sets in, fall is a fantastic time to travel and explore a new destination. Whether you travel around Maine for some traditional fall leaf peeping, or head to Munich for some German culture and fun, these places are all worth considering when planning a fall vacation.