Experience A Second Summer

© Aaron Burden

The warm, fair-weather phase between summer and the cooler part of autumn scores with golden light, colorful leaves and ideal temperatures for drinking a cappuccino in the sun in a T-shirt. The phenomenon attracts so-called Leaf Peepers to nature, especially in the North American New England states. They roam the forests of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island to watch nature change leaves. Often, however, you don't have to travel that far. Because even in Europe there are numerous forests that throw on a bright dress of color. By the way, the higher the proportion of maple trees, the more splendid is the red in which the forests shine. Now the temperatures are also ideal for sports outside!

Enjoy Törggelen in South Tyrol

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In autumn, enjoyment is particularly important in many places. Because when the time for the grape harvest has come and people in rural areas are happy about the rich harvest, the fifth season begins in South Tyrol - the Törggelen. Then Buschenschänken open their farmhouse parlors and serve typical South Tyrolean dishes. The offer ranges from bacon and bread to roasted chestnuts, homemade Schlutzkrapfen, dumplings, grape must and young wine. From the beginning of October to the end of November, people celebrate Törggelen in South Tyrol.

Go truffle hunting

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The shrivelled tubers certainly don't win beauty awards. But as inconspicuous as they are, truffles are noble at the same time. And for our taste buds they are a very special experience. At least in connoisseur circles. Because the real truffle brings up to 9,000 euros per kilogram in Europe. The black Perigord truffle and the white Piedmont truffle are considered special delicacies. Their peak season usually begins in September, depending on the weather. The noble mushroom grows preferentially in the truffle regions of Italy, France and Croatia. And that's exactly where, with the end of summer, you can not only storm truffle markets, but also go truffle hunting yourself. If that's not a reason to look forward to autumn!

Watch sea turtles hatch

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Cape Verde, located about 560 kilometers off the west coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, is the preferred nesting site of the loggerhead turtle. It lays around 80 eggs between June and December on the beaches of the islands of Sal, Boa Vista and Maio five to six times per season. The babies are born after 50 to 60 days. Usually they hatch at night and then immediately make their way purposefully into the sea. If you want to be sure and catch a glimpse of the hatchlings, you can do so at Project Biodiversity on Sal Island, for example. The NGO operates hatcheries here, where the little sea turtles hatch under supervision.

Celebrate special festivities

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Autumn is a time of the year when people have always enjoyed celebrating. Whereas in the Alps it used to be the so called Almabtriebe, now it's the October feast and the like that get people in the mood for the cooler season all over the world. In Queensland, Australia, they celebrate the "Swell Sculpture Festival" (September 8-17, 2023) with sculptures on the beach, in China, the Moon Festival (also called Mid-Autumn Festival) takes place on September 29, 2023, and numerous Halloween events are held at the end of October. For example, you can look forward to the autumn, as it's celebrated in Universal Studios at the Halloween Horror Nights. Or you can go to Thailand at the end of November for Loi Krathong (November 27, 2023), the traditional festival of lights.