Looking for go away for a weekend this autumn in Europe? Here is Mapplr’s top five autumn breaks from lively cities to tranquil countrysides:
(1) London: The Olympics is over and so is the Golden Jubilee, but what they’ve left behind is a city that has been renovated, cleaned up and beautified. You’ll find refurbished buildings and sidewalks, lovely parks, neighborhood maps in metro stations and above ground (near monuments and museums). Londons finally has cafes that serve good espresso. There are many more outstanding restaurants and chic boutiques. Check out our City Break London travel guide.
(2) Paris: Just about everyone’s favorite city, Paris is perfect in the autumn. As the golden leaves gently fall off the trees lining the Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower, you can still enjoy the crisp fall air on the sunny terrasse of a cafe eating a Paris-Brest and sipping cappuccino. While the bistros continue to serve good French classics, you should check out the Franco-Japanese cuisine perfected by Japanese chefs who have trained at the best Michelin-starred restaurants and have gone off and started their own restaurants (our favorites for Japanese-French fusion are Nakatani in the 7th arrondissement and Le Concert de Cuisine in the 15th arrondissement) . Check out our favorite hotels and restaurants in Paris.
(3) Tuscany: As the days turn cooler, hiking in the hills of Tuscany past vineyards and charming ancient villages has one distinct advantage: it’s truffle season so you can stop at a small restaurant and enjoy pasta dishes with truffles. Think of cozy evenings by the fire, leaves changing colour, and a peaceful countryside. Check out Mapplr’s favorite boutique hotels in Tuscany.
(4) Tel Aviv: If you are looking to get away from the chill of the Northern hemisphere and want to lie on the beach and swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean, go to Tel Aviv. Not only does Tel Aviv have great beaches, the city (and Israel in general) has amazing food (witness the popularity of Yotam Ottolenghi’s restaurants in London and his cookbooks, the latest of which is called “Jerusalem: A Cookbook”). Since Israel is a small country, you can easily journey from north to south if you spend a week there. You can also visit the well-preserved ancient city of Petra in Jordan, a must-see if you are going to be in this part of the world. Check out our Israel hotel and restaurant reviews, which includes hot spots in Jerusalem.
(5) Venice: If you don’t want to go as far as Israel for a Mediterranean break, why not go to Venice? The city combines history, great cuisine and lots of atmosphere for those who want something really different. Check out our Venice travel guide for the best hotels and restaurants in the city.
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