Fall is one of the best times of year to travel, and there is still time to find a great deal. Culinary travel, wildlife viewing, and wellness are at the top of travellers’ minds during shoulder season, but there are other new trends travellers can dive into. Here’s a look at what’s driving fall travel trends.
Culinary Travel
If you’re seeking warmth and relaxation, you’ll find that easily in Orlando, Florida. With pleasant temperatures hovering around 24 C and fewer crowds, autumn is an excellent time to visit. Layer this with direct flights from many Canadian cities (including Calgary); getting to Orlando couldn’t be easier.
Orlando offers unlimited entertainment at their theme parks and unique resorts. Evermore Orlando Resort is Orlando’s first beach-like property with an 8-acre Crystal Lagoon and a 20-acre sandy beach. Also new is the JW Marriott Grande Lake, with an onsite waterpark featuring a 24,000 sq ft lazy river and luxury cabanas. Foodies will be stoked to experience Michelin dining at its onsite restaurant, Knife & Spoon.
Many travellers don’t realize that Orlando is an under-the-radar foodies destination. At the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (which runs until Nov. 23), you can try foods from every continent and get cooking techniques from chefs worldwide.
Want to mingle with NASA astronauts and celebrity chefs? Check out Taste of Space at the Kennedy Space Center.
Considering visiting? You can score insider advice and receive special offers with Visit Orlando’s Vacation Planning Service. You can also nab a 1 on 1 consultation with a vacation planning expert who can recommend more unique itinerary ideas. For more suggestions on things to do, where to stay and events, check out VisitOrlando.com.
Wildlife Viewing
While fall is seen as an off-peak season, it’s actually peak season for viewing wildlife in Canada. On the coast of BC, two major natural events make for incredible wildlife viewing.
The return of salmon to spawn in coastal rainforest creeks brings marine mammals like orcas and sea lions to coastal waters. At the same time, land mammals like bears and wolves congregate on the coastline to catch the fish as they enter rivers.
Then you’ve got the fall bird migration, which brings millions of our feathered friends along the Pacific Flyway. Many of them rest and congregate in these same coastal waters.
One of the best ways to see this wildlife is a micro-expedition cruise. These are just the same as wildlife safaris but on the water. These cruises are ideal because they have just a small number of guests – less than 25! So you’re lessening the impact on the wildlife and surrounding communities.
With Canada’s Maple Leaf Adventures, you can explore the channels and fjords, going directly to where the wildlife is. They have three little expedition yachts, which are like moving lodges. There is something for everyone’s taste: a classic sailing ship for those who like simplicity, a cozy heritage tugboat for those who think small is beautiful, and a spacious expedition catamaran for those who like a little luxury with their adventure. All the crew are local and have wonderful stories to share.
This eco-friendly outfitter also takes people ashore to explore the rainforest, beaches and estuaries. And since the waters are so protected among the maze of islands, you don’t really have to worry about the weather on the water.
For more info, email [email protected] or call +1-250-881-6143.
Dive into Watertok in Hawaii
Have you ever heard of #watertok? It’s a hashtag shared on TikTok and Instagram when influencers give tips on how to increase your water intake. But watertok has recently morphed into the travel space.
Simply being near or in water helps people tap into a mild meditative state, and travellers are seeking water destinations like never before. For landlocked Canadians, an easy way to experience all the benefits of water is in Hawaii. Calgary, for example, now has direct flights to Honolulu, Maui and the island of Hawaii.
On the island of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Zipline Tours offers guided waterfall hiking tours to a 300-acre private agricultural property with private waterfall access. At Atlantis Submarines Kona, you can go 100 ft below the surface to view a coral reef and its marine inhabitants.
In Kaua’i, Kayak Kaua‘i now offers afternoon and morning Hanalei Blue Lagoon paddle and snorkel tours several days a week. The tour explores the Hanalei River estuary and its panoramic views, with guests paddling the river and visiting its protected barrier reef and Pu‘u Poa Beach. On calmer days, the tour also heads to Kenomene Bay (Hideaways). Lunch, refreshments and transportation are included in the tour price.
Don’t forget Hawaiʻi is the stage for some of the best whale watching on the planet. Thousands of humpback whales migrate to these warm Pacific waters to breed and nurse their young. Tours from just about every island can bring you appropriately close to these magnificent creatures.
For inspiration and planning tips, check out Go Hawaii.
Do you have a favourite fall travel destination? If so, I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comment section below.
