TUSCANY
Fall is harvest season in Tuscany, making it the ideal time for foodies to visit. The vendemmia, or grape harvest, is one of the region’s most important traditions. Soon after begins the olive harvest and first pressing for extra virgin olive oil. Many towns have special festivals or celebrations for the harvest season.
Don’t miss out on trying truffles and porcini mushrooms during your cruise, as this is the time of year when they’re freshest. Chestnuts are also harvested in the fall, and show up in a unique regional cake called castagnaccio.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Sky-high summer temperatures in the United Arab Emirates mean that most tourists visit in the fall and winter months. Late October and early November are perfect for hitting the beach and camping overnight in the desert. Of course, there are plenty of air-conditioned indoor attractions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well!
This special Le Club Voyage member cruise features two overnight stays in Dubai during exciting local events. Dubai Design Week begins on October 24 and features public art installations at landmark locations across Dubai. On November 1, Dubai’s extravagant “Global Village” cultural fair begins, boasting a variety of international cuisine, shopping, entertainment, and more.
SICILY
Like Tuscany, Autumn is harvest season in Sicily. Local specialties include pistachios, olives, and grapes for Sicilian wine. Sicilian wine is unique thanks to the region’s rich volcanic soil.
October offers fewer crowds and cooler temperatures that are ideal for exploring sites like Taormina’s Teatro Greco or Porto Empedocle’s Valley of the Temples. Yet, it’s still warm enough to take in the sights at the picturesque Scala dei Turchi, pictured below. Cruise to both ports on this itinerary.
NEW ORLEANS
Visiting New Orleans in late October will give you a different sense of the city. It’s cooler and less crowded than during peak months, yet the city retains its lively, vivacious atmosphere year-round.
New Orleans is famously haunted, and visiting right before Halloween means it’s the perfect time to take in a ghost tour. If you’re embarking on this 2016 voyage from New Orleans, arrive a few days early and attend the “Krewe of Boo” Halloween parade on October 22. It’s the only parade with full-size floats to travel through the French Quarter!
INDIA
Like the United Arab Emirates, it’s best to visit India during the cooler fall and winter months, following the end of Monsoon season. This November 2016 itinerary is perfect. In Mumbai and enjoy some of the city’s most fascinating outdoor experiences:
Tour markets like Chor Bazaar. Literally translated, this means “Thieves Market”. You can buy anything and everything here, and bartering is an integral part of the experience.
Observe dabbawallahs at work. A dabbawallah is a member of the Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association. Every day, 4,000 of them deliver over 100,000 packed lunches from homes to downtown offices.
Visit the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat. This famous open-air laundry is where clothing washers from all over the city gather. The term dhobi ghat is used all over India to describe a place where many washers gather. This one, near the Mahalaxmi Train Station in Mumbai, is well over 100 years old and the largest in the world.
WEST INDIES
Traveling during the holidays is nothing short of luxurious. Imagine spending Thanksgiving Day lounging on a pristine beach on a beautiful tropical island, without a care in the world. Cooking? Cleaning? Our AzAmazing crew has that covered. Your only job is to relax.
This Thanksgiving 2016 voyage sails round-trip from Miami and brings you to beautiful St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands on Thanksgiving Day. From there, cruise to the classic Caribbean hideaways of Nevis, St. Maarten, St. Bart’s, and Virgin Gorda.
MONACO
We love visiting Monte-Carlo each spring for the renowned Monaco Grand Prix, but fast cars aren’t this destination’s only draw. In September 2017 we’ll call on Monte-Carlo during the glitzy Monaco Yacht Show when some of the largest and most luxurious yachts in the world are on display.
Late September is a wonderful time to explore the French and Italian Rivieras. Take advantage of warm, sunny weather by visiting some of the world’s most glamorous beaches.
ROME
The belief that October is a beautiful time in Rome has a long and storied history.
Have you heard of Ottobrata Romana? It translates to “Roman October” and refers to mild, sunny fall days. However, the history of the term is only loosely connected to weather. Over a century ago ottobrate romane referred to traditional Sunday celebrations honoring the harvest season. Families or groups would spend the day in the countryside eating, drinking wine (last years, to prepare for the new grape harvest), singing and dancing.
During fall, Rome’s many markets (like the ones in Campo dei Fiori, Piazza San Cosimato, and Testaccio) showcase the flavors of the season: chestnuts, artichokes, pumpkins, and more.
Experience a Roman October during this 2017 voyage.
SPAIN
Spain is a popular summer destination and it’s easy to understand why, thanks to the region’s sunshine, beaches, and sangria. But fall offers an entirely different and refreshing experience.
Cooler temperatures are ideal for both sightseeing and golfing – and this October 2017 PerryGolf voyage has plenty of opportunity for both. Play the prestigious El Saler Golf Club in Valencia, and the acclaimed Son Gual Golf Course in Palma de Mallorca. (Learn more about this unique golf cruise here.)
In Barcelona, experience the lead-up to the Castanyada, a Catalan folkloric festival held on November 1. The tradition’s name comes from castañas (chestnuts). Look for them being roasted at street stalls and sold piping hot and wrapped in newspaper.
JORDAN
It’s not too soon to think about travel plans for the fall of 2018! The 18-Night Voyage of Discovery from Athens to Dubai is one of the most diverse and enriching cruise itineraries you’ll find.
October is a wonderful time of year to visit the beautiful country of Jordan. An overnight stay in Aqaba allows for plenty of time to visit world-renowned landmarks like the ancient city of Petra and the stunning desert landscape Wadi Rum. There’s a reason Petra is one of travel writer Jean Newman Glock’s all-time favorite destinations.
