Rome, Italy

Climate: 22 °C average temperature, 6 hours of sunshine per day, 7 rainy days per month.

© Shutterstock

Reason to book: During the summer months, it's often very crowded in the Italian capital; thanks to the sirocco it's also very hot. Towards autumn, the temperatures become more pleasant, moreover, the streets of the Eternal City empty. Sights can now be explored without queues. How about, for example, sunrise at the Colosseum followed by a walk across the Aventine to Testaccio and Travestere? At Monte Testaccio you also have the opportunity to enjoy a typical Ottobrate feast . This is a kind of Roman Törggelen.

© Rocco Forte Hotels & Resorts

Where to stay: Rome offers some wonderful hotels. Perhaps the best among them is the Hotel de Russie. Located between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, the hideaway is part of the Rocco Forte Hotels. Particularly noteworthy is the courtyard!

Hotel de Russie
Via del Babuino 9, Rome, Italy
Tel.: +39 06 328881
Web: roccofortehotels.com
Price: Doubles from € 1850

Zermatt, Switzerland

Climate: 12 °C average temperature, 5 hours of sunshine per day, 10 rainy days per month.

© Shutterstock

Reason to book: Real winter sports fans are already counting the days until the time finally comes again and the ski slopes of Europe start the new season with fulminant parties. In Zermatt, there's no need to wait for the opening. Because the Matterhorn-Zermatt ski resort doesn't go on summer break at all. Here, even in October snow-sure vacation is possible. The just over 20 kilometers of slopes in autumn are the ideal training ground for the 362 kilometers that are then available to guests in high winter.

© Ydo Sol

Where to stay: For over 170 years, the imposing hotel Mont Cervin Palace at the foot of the glaciers has stood for hospitality and first-class service. A special feature is the Wine & Dine offer, which allows food and drink in over 15 restaurants and bars in Zermatt. Unpretentious luxury, yet a vacation straight out of a fairy tale: For romantics it's one of the best destinations in October 2023!

Mont Cervin Palace
Bahnhofstrasse 31, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 27 966 88 88
Web: montcervinpalace.ch
Price: Doubles from € 660

Thimphu, Bhutan

Climate: Temperatures up to 25 °C, 8 hours of sunshine per day, 7 rainy days per month.

© Shutterstock

Reason to book: The kingdom between India and China is known for its monasteries, forts and nature. After all, it lies on the eastern edge of the Himalayas. Again and again Bhutan makes headlines as the happiest country on earth. If you want to convince yourself of the beauty of the cultural treasures and the landscape, you should come here in October. Because then the monsoon season is over but also snow is not yet in sight. By the way: 70 percent of Bhutan's surface is covered by forest. This makes it the only country in the world that binds more CO2 than it produces.

© andBeyond

Where to stay: Just a few days ago, the &Beyond Punakha River Lodge opened. This is the first Asian outlet of the luxury tour operator and lodge operator. It offers vacations with views of the Himalayas as well as authentic insights into the country's culture and traditions. Guests choose from six glamping suites as well as two villas on the river. You'll of course be pampered in typical &Beyond manner all the time.

&Beyond Punakha River Lodge
JRQ3+937, Punakha 13001, Bhutan
Tel.: +41 56 539 1080
Web: andbeyond.com
Price: Tented Suite from € 355

Connecticut, USA

Climate: Up to 17 °C, 6 hours of sunshine per day, 6 rainy days per month.

© Shutterstock

Reason to book: New England is the place to be in autumn. Because that's when the forests on the U.S. East Coast turn into a sea of color once again. Vermont and New Hampshire are on everyone's radar in this respect. But if you want to avoid the crowds for a bit and you are traveling later in the fall, the more southerly Connecticut is the place to be. Halfway between Boston and New York, there's also a lot of culture and the one or other shopping opportunity.

© Mindy Briar Photography

Where to stay: enchantingly authentic and managed with a lot of heart: This way The Homestead presents itself in the city of Madison with its 12 individually designed guest rooms. They're modernly appointed (vitamin-enriched water comes out of the showerheads - seriously!), offer vintage bicycles you can borrow for a leaf peeping tour, and are close to the beach. As one of the best destinations in October 2023, there are of course Halloween events en masse in the USA.

The Homestead
391 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443, United States
Tel.: +1 203-245-0212
Web: homesteadmadison.com
Price: Doubles incl. breakfast from €300

Pretoria, South Africa

Climate: Up to 20 °C, 9 hours of sunshine per day, 7 rainy days per month.

© Shutterstock

Reason to book: comfortably warm but not too hot, plus plenty of sunshine - do you need any more reasons to qualify as one of the best destinations to visit in October 2023? If so, the Blyde River Canyon awaits adventurous visitors as the third largest canyon in the world, and in Kruger National Park the vegetation is also sparse now. This makes it all the easier to spot the animals. They now congregate at the waterholes. And in the south of the country, Cape Town offers fine wines and an exceptional restaurant scene.

© One&Only

Where to stay: The One&Only Cape Town offers 110 rooms and 22 suites, as well as three restaurants, spa, pool and gym. It's located directly on the V&A Waterfront with panoramic views of the harbor and Table Mountain. Of course, guests can look forward to the famous One&Only service.

One&Only Cape Town
Dock Road, Victoria, 8001 Cape Town, South Africa
Tel.: +27 21 431 5888
Web: oneandonlyresorts.com
Price: Doubles from € 990