By Ombretta Di Dio

As the leaves change into a beautiful variety of warm tones and the air gets thinner and cooler, my favorite season makes its way with brand new destinations to admire. The Fall can be magical anywhere you go, but my top 5 places to enjoy this special time of the year include exotic scenarios, cozy sunsets and artistic capitals.

5. Shanghai (China)

The biggest city in China says bye to the summer heat and to its crowds with incredible opportunities to explore what would be overwhelming in the hottest months. Shanghai’s amazing temples and gardens are just around the corner from modern clubs, cathedrals and European buildings, memory of a French domination that has left room for skyscrapers and hotels, making this destination a perfect match of history and modernity, all while breathing China’s culture at its best.

4. Maine (USA)

Maine perfectly resembles the idea of fall, with all its characteristic activities, which include open air walks throughout beautiful parks, sipping coffee and drinking wine at a bed&breakfast and apple picking with the chance of tasting fresh cider straight from the trees. The best time to visit the famous and gorgeous Acadia National Park is now, because the beauty of its natural colors has no equals.

3. Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)

If you can’t let go of the summer and want to enjoy some more fun in the sun while lying on a sub-tropical beach, Puerto Vallarta won’t disappoint you. The low season offers special deals to whoever can’t give up the heat. Don’t miss the opportunity to see little turtles coming out of their eggs in November and slowly walking to the sea, all while tasting some typical Tequila.

2. Marrakesh (Morocco)

Famous for its big and chaotic markets, Marrakesh is an amazing combination of nature and city life especially in the fall, when hiking in the nearby mountains will become an unforgettable experience and shopping in town will allow you to find the freshest produce coming all the way from Atlas Mountains.

1. Rome (Italy)

Italians call October’s days in Rome “ottobrate romane” and it’s not a case that the best time of the year to visit the Eternal City is indeed October. Warm-chestnuts vendors make their appearance at every corner; the incredible open air monuments are less crowded and stay untouched by the strong sun, making it really possible to enjoy all the history there is in this everlasting capital. Finally, fall is the season of mushrooms, truffles and wine in Italy: a country that needs to be tasted in order to be really admired.