The best places to spend autumn

You needn't travel far for a golden autumn experience - Central Otago's got everything you need. Photo / 123RF

NARA, JAPAN

Though most people flock to the ancient capital of Nara for the short-lived cherry blossom season in spring, it's also a great location for autumn colour. Autumn leaves are present all over the country, and Nara is a brilliant place to walk among them - and it's only a short train ride from Kyoto.

NEW ENGLAND, US

If you're yearning for the feeling of crunchy leaves under your feet, New England on the east coast of the United States is your mecca. Head there at the start of October for one of the most brilliantly colourful autumn experiences in the world. The White Mountains in New Hampshire are a great place to start - hike through the hills and take in the red maple leaves.

QUEBEC, CANADA

Canada loves autumn so much it's immortalised on the national flag. Quebec comes alive in autumn and you're bound to see piles of those classic red maple leaves.

Quebec. / 123RF

Mont-Sainte-Anne even hosts a "Great Color Adventure" event in autumn, with hiking, mountain biking, panoramic gondolas and a petting zoo.

CENTRAL OTAGO

You needn't travel far for a golden autumn experience - Central Otago's got everything you need. Poplars, grapevines and other foliage turn to gold, orange and red, with a picturesque backdrop of mountains and crisp blue skies.

Skippers Canyon, Central Otago. Photo / Destination Queenstown

Arrowtown also has an annual five-day autumn festival that has been running for 30 years.

FOREST OF DEAN, ENGLAND

With its mixture of oak, beech and chestnut trees, this ancient Gloucestershire forest turns on the colours every year. It can easily be explored by foot or on a bike - but keep an eye out for the wild boars that reside there. For the sporting types, the forest hosts an autumn marathon and fun run every September.

BAVARIA, GERMANY

The alpine forests of Southern Germany turn to shades of red and yellow that really pop against the snowy mountains and clear blue skies. It's also a great time of year to visit, due to a pleasantly mild climate - plus the tourist count drops right down, so you're more likely to see wildlife. Hike to your heart's content and enjoy the solitude, among the colours.

Get outside and enjoy those colours. Photo / 123RF