BeautiFALL Europe

October is upon us, change is in the air. Goodbye summer heat, hello brisk Autumn feels!

Fall is a great time to travel, maybe one of my favorites! The summer crowds have begun to fade and have gone home to school and work, the cities aren't crammed wall to wall and you're not sweating in the summer heat walking the cobblestone streets. Fall, what's not to love. Start exploring!

Feeling a need to make a change in your life and open the book of wanderlust? Here are 5 beautiFALL places in Europe to escape to during the cool Autumn months.

5. Rome, Italy

One of my favorite cities in all of Europe, visiting Rome outside of the touristy months (May-August) could be the difference in you falling in love with this historical city or tainting your view. Italy's capital, bursting with history around every corner, attracts people in droves. And when the temperatures reach up to the upper 90's it gets hard to stay motivated on the tourist trail. October-November are prime time bella Roma months!

Rome Fun Fact: Romans husbands would kiss their wives on the mouth at the end of every day, but not just for romantic reasons. They would do it to check their spouse's breath to see if they had been sitting around drinking wine all day!

Insider Tip: Looking to get outside the main hustle and bustle of the center of Rome? Head to the neighborhood of Trastevere-a bohemian-esque Medieval quarter of Rome. It is located just across the river and is a small village filled with many different cafes and places to eat and drink.

4. Bled, Slovenia

This tiny resort like town is best to visit in the summer months when you can enjoy all that it has to offer in it's lake activities of swimming, paddle boarding, rope swinging and row boating. But as the Summer season changes to Autumn, it becomes one of the most picturesque towns in Europe. Slovenia is known for it's gorgeous nature and as the leaves change around the Lake, it is a mesmerizing place to be.

Lake Bled Fun Fact: The World Rowing Championships have been held on this lake in 1966, 1979, 1989, and 2011.

Insider Tip: Villa Preseren has the perfect patio seating area to take in the full view of Lake Bled, order a hot cup of tea and the cake the Lake is known for; the Bled Cream Cake.

3. Frankfurt

Frankfurt is Germany's largest city and hub for its countries business and finance. The combination with the river Main, it's old town outdoor cafes, parks and street markets encased in the red brick buildings, makes a very Autumn warm feeling city. The city is currently undergoing a project called Dom Romer, where many of the buildings are being rebuilt in their medieval correspondent.

Frankfurt Fun Fact: The official name of Frankfurt is: Frankfurt am Main, meaning that the Main river flows through the city.

Insider Tip: When in Germany, you must eat as the Germans do! Eat at the local Zu den 12 Aposteln and order the pork knuckle. The portions will warm your belly after a brisk Fall day of sightseeing.

2. Verona, Italy

This beautiful Italian city set on the river Adige is most known for the city where William Shakespeare wrote his play, Romeo and Juliet. Verona has a much more relaxed and local feel compared to the nearby, popular, Venice and a wonderful city to walk along the river amongst the fallen crumpled yellow, orange leaves against the backdrop of the pastel colored Italian facades. Along with seeing Juliet's famous balcony, it houses the beautiful 1st century Roman amphitheater, The Verona Arena.

Fun Fact: Legend has it, if you touch the right breast of the statue of Juliet, it will bring you luck in finding your own true love.

Insider Tip: Put: See an Opera in The Verona Arena, at the top of your Bucket List.

1. Graz, Austria

The second largest city in Austria is filled with leafy trees and parks within the streets and hilly cobblestone center, which makes it a perfect Autumn destination. The vibrant city is alive all year round because of its youthful influx of the students from the University, but the turning of the leaves make it a perfect Fall destination to shop, wander and enjoy the arts and courtyards the city has to offer.

Graz Fun Fact: There is an artificial island on the river called, Murinsel.