Many may disagree but autumn (or fall for our American friends reading) is to me, the best season of the year. Sure, it comes with cooler mornings, lace up boots, and tights, but it also comes with those cosy knit jerseys, hot chocolates, and log fires at night!! Every autumn landscape is beautiful, but here are the top 5 to be seen around the world.

1. Southern Island, New Zealand

Usually avoided by the locals due to extreme temperatures and close proximity to Antarctica, the Southern Islands of New Zealand are at the top of our list due to the wild and untamed autumn beauty they exude every March – May. You don’t have to actually be on the islands to enjoy the sight of fiery oranges, blood reds, and sunset yellows push their way through the evergreen foliage, as a brief tour on Flickr will provide you with the memorable hues sans the cold.

2. Western Cape, South Africa

The brief kiss that autumn gives to South Africa is well worth catching during March – May. Places like the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve in Stellenbosch, and the winelands that stretch from Franschhoek to Tulbagh become very picturesque places. Watch the trees lose their colourful leaves, see the veld turn to rusty browns, and enjoy the sight of most bushes sporting layers of greens, oranges, and reds. In fact, one of the best ways to experience this magic is by overnighting in the Cape Winelands.

3. Helsinki, Finland

Being in the northern hemisphere, and known for having cold, icy winter landscapes, you’ll likely be surprised to learn Helsinki during September – November has one of the most gorgeous autumn shows. As the summer warmth seeps away, and with it the colourful flowers, September sees the landscape and wildernesses transform into a fabled El Dorado-esque golden glow. There are scattered patches of reds and honey yellows from the trees, before these fade away to a dreary brown, with winter’s arrival heralding in a snowy blanket to cover the landscape once more.

4. Shinjuku, Japan

Japan is known for its amazing Sakura season – the gorgeous cascades of cherry blossoms that drift gently down at the lightest breeze; usually onto those picnicking below the trees in spring. As beautiful and magical as that can be, you’ll be equally in awe of the fantastical landscape that autumn presents in September – November, especially in parks with lush Zen gardens. These gardens have been landscaped for generations, forming perfect sanctuaries of escape from the busy cities, and Shinjuku Gyoen and the Imperial Palace East Gardens in Tokyo are great places to view these changes.

5. Loire Valley, France

Within the picturesque Loire Valley, in Southern France, you will discover the beauty of fall during September – November in the vineyards, and can enjoy spending lazy days here exploring the nearby castles and estates. In this relatively peaceful valley, muted hues of red and gold bring spots of colour to life amid the ancient and modern buildings; providing beautiful landscapes, with bare trees standing like lone sentries watching over the farmlands. As it is harvest time in autumn, you’ll get the chance to go on vineyard tours, and watch the grapes being picked, stripped, and packaged for all kinds of uses.

Where in South Africa will you go to catch the vibrant autumn leaves?

Main image by BCourchesne (Flickr)