08/29/2026
It has been a busy month! Every August, like clockwork, the requests start coming in. But this summer, it’s been kinda crazy.
Summer isn’t over yet, but everyone has fall travel on their mind. The last few weeks for me have been nonstop planning and booking for clients heading everywhere from Egypt and Africa to Morocco and out West. But overwhelmingly, Europe — and especially Italy — is at the very top of the list.
I’m seeing firsthand something the travel industry data is now confirming: fall isn’t really “shoulder season” anymore (it hasn’t been for a while tbh). September and October had always been the sweet spot — beautiful weather, fewer crowds, better availability and lower prices.
The first two are still largely true.
The last two? Not so much. At all, really.
Fall is absolutely one of the best times to be in Europe. It’s still warm without the intense summer heat and you can extend your summer wardrobe a little longer. The big family crowds have gone home and there’s a calmer, more grown-up feel that I love. The numbers tell the same story: European luxury travel bookings are shifting noticeably from summer into fall, and Virtuoso has reported significant increases in both fall bookings and spending.
Which explains what I’ve been seeing in my calls, texts and emails.
On repeat for my clients this Fall heading to Europe:
🇮🇹 Italy, Italy, Italy — the Dolomites, Como, Sicily, Sardinia, Amalfi Coast and all the cities in between.
🇫🇷 Paris, Normandy + the South of France
🇬🇧 London + the Cotswolds
🇩🇰 Scandinavia
🇬🇷 Greece
🇭🇷 Croatia
And I’m joining the band wave, heading to Sicily on our own scouting trip — checking out new locations, properties and experiences firsthand. And then some Rome shopping of course.
The one thing I tell clients: don’t assume fall means shoulder-season pricing. The most popular hotels and room categories are sold out or selling out, and rates can be VERY high.
But there are always gems 💎 to find — a hotel that hasn’t hit everyone’s radar, a room that suddenly opens up, or a destination you hadn’t considered.