Itineraries of Foliage

New York in autumn is more than just pumpkins and pumpkin spice-themed Starbucks: it’s a city painted in a vintage palette of warm reds, oranges, and yellows. Here, the foliage transforms the city’s vast green lungs into almost fairytale-like scenes, a true draw for those who love walking immersed in nature without giving up urban charm. Take the train from Grand Central and in less than two hours you’re surrounded by the landscapes of Cold Spring or Beacon, hidden artistic towns where you can brunch overlooking the Hudson River and stroll through indie boutiques and hand-painted-looking leaves. If you stay in the city, stop by Prospect Park in Brooklyn, wilder and less touristy than Central Park, where locals go jogging, walk their dogs, and enjoy postcard-perfect sunsets. Central Park is obviously iconic, but to truly savor it away from crowds, you need to get lost in the less-traveled areas: the northern part (between The Ravine and the Conservatory Garden) offers quiet spots, intense colors, and zero crowds. Don’t miss the High Line, the old elevated railway converted into an urban park—perfect for leaf-peeping with a skyline view and a take-away coffee in hand. For a truly local experience, rent a bike or a kayak on the lake at Harlem Meer, away from tourist chaos, where the foliage reflects in the calm water, gifting you a moment of pure city peace. And don’t miss the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, where the art of foliage meets stunning botanical installations. Among the must-dos is definitely a walk under the fiery maples of The Mall and a visit to Bow Bridge, but if you want to live it like a true local, rent a car and drive along Route 9, through historic villages and vineyards that look like they came straight out of a New England fairy tale.

Tokyo in autumn seems to slow down, as if even the busiest metropolis in the world yielded to the charm of something greater: the kōyō, the Japanese foliage. Literally meaning “red leaves,” it is much more than a seasonal change: it is a collective ritual, an act of contemplation deeply rooted in Japan’s aesthetics. The maple ignites in crimson, the ginkgo bursts into brilliant gold, and the city transforms into a visual haiku celebrating the ephemeral beauty of things. A feeling the Japanese call mono no aware, the sweet, subtle melancholy that accompanies the transience of all things. Even among the skyscrapers of Shibuya and the neon lights of Shinjuku, autumn is welcomed with an almost ceremonial emotion. Between late October and early December, Tokyo colors itself like an ukiyo-e print (literally “image of the floating world,”an expression linked to the celebration of life’s fleeting beauty), and its parks become sacred temples of foliage. One of the most magical places to immerse yourself in this atmosphere is the Rikugien Garden, hidden in the Bunkyō district. Built in the 17th century by shōgun Tokugawa Yoshiyasu, it is a daimyo garden inspired by classical Chinese poetry, with tranquil lakes, manicured hills, and paths seemingly designed for silence and wonder. At night, during the peak of kōyō, the park lights up, offering an almost surreal experience. Hibiya Park also tells the deep connection between humans and nature. Here grows a monumental ginkgo that was almost cut down in 1903 but was saved thanks to the daring act of the architect who designed the park. Today, that tree is urban legend, a symbol of resilience and love for greenery. But kōyō knows no boundaries: the Hamarikyu Gardens, with their tea pavilions and tides that lap the paths, offer scenes worthy of a painting. Koishikawa Kōrakuen, one of Tokyo’s oldest gardens, blends Chinese and Japanese aesthetics in a triumph of autumn colors. Ueno Park, famous for its spring cherry blossoms, dons gold and red in this season; while Yoyogi Park, near the Meiji Shrine, breathes a spiritual air, among fallen leaves and paths inviting meditation.

The forest where Hänsel and Gretel got lost, the one Little Red Riding Hood crossed to reach her grandmother’s house, is not just a product of imagination: it really exists. This green enchantment stretches through the heart of Germany, in the Baden-Württemberg region, framed between the Rhine Valley, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, and the Neckar Valley. But it is here, in autumn, that the Black Forest transforms into the most extraordinary natural stage, a triumph of warm colors and fairytale atmospheres. The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is a land of perfect contrasts: dense dark conifers intertwine with golden chestnut trees, while waterfalls, stone villages, and castles tell ancient stories. Among the most enchanted woods to be mesmerized by the foliage are those around Freiburg im Breisgau, a lively and welcoming city, and those between Neuenbürg and Pforzheim, halfway between Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. In the heart of this wild nature, emblematic of the entire region, stands the world’s largest cuckoo clock: a wooden monument 3.60 meters high and 3.10 meters wide, embodying the artisanal soul of the Black Forest. Not far away, the town of Triberg hosts its famous waterfalls, which, with their 163 meters of elevation difference and seven water jumps over granite rocks, seem to dance among the fiery colors of autumn. The path leading to the waterfalls is accessible and dotted with panoramic points offering unforgettable views. But the Black Forest is not just nature. The majestic Hohenzollern Castle, perched on its namesake hill, is an enchanted residence said to have inspired Walt Disney for his iconic logo. From up here, among towers and battlements, you can behold an unparalleled spectacle: the sea of colorful trees stretching all the way to the distant Swabian Alps and, on clear days, to the Swiss peaks. In every corner of the Schwarzwald, the foliage is not just a chromatic spectacle: it is a journey of the senses, an encounter with the mystery of nature and the legends that make this forest the beating heart of a fairytale that continues to live on.

Alsace, a region nestled between the Rhine River and the Vosges Mountains, is a place where history, culture, and nature blend seamlessly. A land of neatly aligned vineyards, fairytale-like villages, and castles perched on rolling hills, Alsace offers a breathtaking spectacle when the leaves change color, tinting the vines in shades of red, gold, and amber. Here, every village feels like it’s been lifted from the pages of a storybook, with timber-framed houses, steeply pitched roofs, and cobbled streets winding through golden fields. The landscape is dotted with charming towns like Colmar and Ribeauvillé, where the medieval past lingers in every corner, and the autumn atmosphere turns town squares into living postcards. Along the Alsace Wine Route, the vineyards blaze with autumn fire. Fall here is a ritual celebrating the harvest and the arrival of the new wine, as local festivals fill the streets with the scents of pumpkin, cinnamon, and roasted chestnuts. Not far away, the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park is draped in warm, rich tones, with beeches, oaks, and maples competing for the most vibrant display of foliage. The trails winding through the mountains invite long walks, where silence is broken only by the rustle of leaves and the song of migrating birds. In autumn, Alsace is not just a destination for nature lovers—it's a full cultural experience. Christmas markets begin to stir to life, offering a taste of the upcoming winter magic, while wineries open their doors for tastings of aromatic wines and local specialties like tarte flambée. It’s a journey that awakens the senses, with bold colors, authentic flavors, and a rich heritage that makes Alsace a truly unique corner of Europe.